1673: Grundel, this Dutch East India Company Hoeker wrecked near Cape Hangklip between Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay in the Western Cape. An attempt was made on its return from Batavia to stop and to take on water in Madagascar, but the French had taken occupation of the island and drove off the Dutch with gunfire. They made a dash for the Cape with the captain being wounded by the French. They managed to come close, wrecking on the other side of False Bay, near Cape Hangklip. The captain and two … [Read more...] about 20 February Shipwreck List
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19 February Shipwreck List
1913: Hugelia, this iron steam-powered fishing trawler of 153 tons and built in 1892 was wrecked just west of the Keiskamma river mouth near Hamburg in the Eastern Cape. The Captain and the Mate having allowed an inexperienced person at the wheel in a dark night while navigating a dangerous coast. FV Hugelia was built by Cochrane & Cooper Ltd., Beverley (Hull) fir North Eastern Steam Fishing Co. Ltd., Grimsby FV. In 1912 Consolidated Whaling & Deep Sea Fishing Co. bought and owned FV … [Read more...] about 19 February Shipwreck List
18 February Shipwreck List
1938: Panaghia, this Glasgow built (1928) steel steam-powered freighter wrecked in Seal Bay, in Cape St Francis in the Eastern Cape due to dense fog. Its boilers can reportedly still be seen at low tide. This happened whilst she was sailing from Argentina to Australia in ballast. Captain Pettersen salvaged the wreck. Panaghia was built by Hamilton Wm. & Co. Ltd., Glasgow for Temple SS Co. Ltd., London SS Temple Lane who owned the vessel from 1928 to 1937 before Kassos Steam Navigation Co., … [Read more...] about 18 February Shipwreck List
17 February Shipwreck List
1857: Euridyce, this British brig wrecked on North End beach in Gqeberha Port Elizabeth in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape after its cables parted during a south-easterly gale and the Euridyce struck the barque Alexandrina. 1940: Cheldale, this British steel steam-powered cargo ship was lost north east of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal after a collision with the Greystoke Castle. The Cheldale was steaming slowly towards Durban so as not to arrive before dawn and was apparently showing no lights. It … [Read more...] about 17 February Shipwreck List
16 February Shipwreck List
1686: Stavenisse, this Dutch East Indiaman of 544 tons wrecked at what is presumed to be near the Mzimkulu River mouth at Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal resulting in the loss of eleven lives from the crew of 71. The rest of the crew encountered survivors of the Good Hope (1685) and the Bona Ventura (1686). They worked together to build the boat ‘Centaurus’ which was officially launched on the 17th of February, 1687. On the first of March 1687, they safely arrived at the Cape of Good Hope and … [Read more...] about 16 February Shipwreck List
13 February Shipwreck List
1830: Lady Holland, this wooden vessel of 455 tons and built in 1811 and commanded by Captain J. Snell struck a reef at 22h00 north-east of Dassen Island off the west coast in the Western Cape and wrecked. Its passengers and crew made it onto Dassen Island using the boats before being rescued. Lady Holland was on a voyage from London to Calcutta. Part of her cargo was saved and no lives were lost. 1850: Childe Harold, this British full rigged wooden sailing vessel wrecked on the south-eastern … [Read more...] about 13 February Shipwreck List
12 February Shipwreck List
1847: Robert, this British ship of 595 tons sprang a leak and had to be run ashore near the Lourens River mouth at Strand in False Bay in the Western Cape, where it wrecked. Some of the houses in the area were reportedly built with its main cargo of teak from Maulmein, Burma which was destined for London. Mary Ann was built in 1843 at New Brunswick and commanded by Captain N.R. Sayer. No lives were lost. 1888: Mary Ann, this British wooden barque of 313 tons came into Algoa Bay in the Eastern … [Read more...] about 12 February Shipwreck List
11 February Shipwreck List
1817: Emu, this sail-driven transport brig was the first vessel to attempt to enter Knysna Lagoon in the Western Cape, where it promptly wrecked. It was originally built as a merchant brig and was hired and equipped as an armed transport by the Royal Navy. After having been discharged from the Colony of New South Wales service, it was on its way home to be sold in England when it was damaged in a hurricane. It struck a rock in False Bay and foundered but was refloated and repaired in Simons … [Read more...] about 11 February Shipwreck List
10 February Shipwreck List
1892: Lieutenant Maury, this British wooden barque of around 350 tons caught fire while at anchor in Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape and eventually foundered. It caught alight at 01:00 and sank by 15:00. The cause of the blaze was not established. Only one lifeboat and two charred and burned sail booms were saved. The vessel was carrying 150 tons of copper ore bound for Swansea. No lives lost. 1943: Queen Anne, this Motor Merchant of 4 937 tons, built in 1937 by Barclay, Curle & Co, … [Read more...] about 10 February Shipwreck List
9 February Shipwreck List
1876: Lady MacDonald, this British wooden barque of 593 tons built in 1847 of teak in Maulmein, Burma and was wrecked on the northern coastline of Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. Commanded by Captain J. Hinks Lady MacDonald was on a voyage from London with general cargo including ironwork intended for the last span of of the Sundays River railway bridge. No lives were lost. 1990: Zuidam, this South African fishing vessel wrecked in a storm just west of Struispunt, … [Read more...] about 9 February Shipwreck List
8 February Shipwreck List
1832: Adelaide, this British wooden barque of 640 tons was wrecked in an easterly gale in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. An unknown number of people drowned but one record mentions that ‘several men drowned’. Adelaide was built in 1832 in Calcutta and was on a voyage from Madras with Indian immigrants. 1861: Miles Barton, this British troopship of 1034 tons was carrying the 3rd Regiment under the command of Major King when it was wrecked on the eponymous Miles Barton reef between Skipskop and … [Read more...] about 8 February Shipwreck List
7 February Shipwreck List
1836: Gondolier, this British brig under command of Captain R. Rhodes wrecked on Robben Island whilst entering Table Bay in the Western Cape. Agent: Thomson, Watson & Co. The Gondolier had put into Cape Town for provisions. At 03:15 on 01-02, while leaving Table Bay, she foundered on Robben Island. Some of her cargo was saved, including: 50 gross empty bottles, 150 boxes tin plates, 30 packages of shirting, printed cottons, umbrellas, cotton twist, 11 hogsheads of Bass's ale, piece goods, … [Read more...] about 7 February Shipwreck List
6 February Shipwreck List
1840: Friends Goodwill, this wooden slaver schooner wrecked near St Helena Bay off the west coast in the Western Cape. 1866: Runnymede, this wooden sailing vessel (most probably a barque) wrecked near Wreck Point, just west of Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape after springing a leak. The crew managed to reach Algoa Bay in the boats. Runnymede was built in 1854 at Sunderland, England. In 1856 she made her first voyage from London to Australia, transporting convicts to Western Australia. She was … [Read more...] about 6 February Shipwreck List
5 February Shipwreck List
1821: L’Eclair, this French wooden sailing vessel commanded by Caprtain Pronck was wrecked at Blaauwberg in Table Bay in the Western Cape whilst trying to enter the bay at night. Six lives were lost during the event. L'Eclair was on a voyage from Batavia to Antwerp. 1857: Albert, this South African wooden schooner struck Danger Point in the Western Cape on this day, with the crew managing to get it off and then running it aground on a beach near Struisbaai where it was condemned and sold off. … [Read more...] about 5 February Shipwreck List
4 February Shipwreck List
1876: Albert Juhl, this 3-masted schooner wrecked on Orient Beach in East London in the Eastern Cape. Albert Juhl was under the command of Captain Ruchholts. A rocket line was fired but the crew did not know how to attach. Eventually a basket was rigged up and all lives were saved. 1938: Eclair, this 173 ton South African steam-powered fishing vessel (ex whaler) wrecked in dense fog on Kanon Point, just east of the Gourits River mouth in the Western Cape - 16 miles west of mOssel Bay. Of the … [Read more...] about 4 February Shipwreck List
