1914: Clan Stuart, this steel turret-decked steam freighter wrecked on Mackerel Beach in Simon’s Bay in False Bay in the Western Cape. It was caught out in a south-easterly gale and dragged its anchor before running aground at Glencairn beach. The tug Ludwig Wiener pulled it off and towed it into Simon’s Town harbour for repairs, but it was refused entry as there were fears that it would founder in the approach channel. It was then run ashore on Mackerel Beach. For four months attempts were made to repair it, but all efforts were futile, and it was eventually salvaged and abandoned. It now makes for a great snorkel as the wreck is quite shallow and easily accessible.
1963: Cape St. Francis, this motor-powered fishing trawler struck a reef off Kayser’s Beach in the Eastern Cape and wrecked. Its remains are reportedly still visible below the water, just off Kaysers Beach.
1968: Wuta, this Dutch motor-powered freighter started leaking during a storm and foundered, just outside of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape.
1985: An unknown motor-powered ski-boat washed up on the beach in Gordons Bay in False Bay in the Western Cape.
