UPD

1853: Vigilant, this 304 ton wooden sailing vessel wrecked in a south-easterly gale at the mouth of the Buffalo River in East London in the Eastern Cape after her cables parted. Vigilant was built in 1846 at Southshields and was under the command of Captain W. Stewart. 1859: Florence, this sailing schooner of 40 tons under the command of Captain I. Bradston struck a rock and foundered in the entrance to the port at Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape. Most of her cargo was saved. 1875: Annie … [Read more...] about 11 December Shipwreck List

1876: General Nott, this 298 ton British wooden sailing brig built by Lester, South Hamilton in 1865 was wrecked during a north-westerly gale at the mouth of the Blind River, on East Beach, in East London in the Eastern Cape. Carrying general cargo, no lives were lost. 1882: Zambesi, this Dutch wooden sailing schooner of 130 tons commande by Captain Shloemer was wrecked in a strong easterly wind on Back Beach in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal after her cables broke. She had been in the outer … [Read more...] about 10 December Shipwreck List

1873: William Shaw, this sailing schooner wrecked at the mouth of the Mzimvubu River in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape. A schooner of 39 tons, the William Shaw was owned by Mr Stoffels of Port St Johns and commanded by Captain Davis. She was wrecked after a voyage from Durban. Unknown to her captain the sandbanks in the river mouth had changed and she was wrecked whilst trying to enter the river. She was employed in the coasting trade between Port St. Johns and Durban. … [Read more...] about 9 December Shipwreck List

1844: Hamilla Mitchell, this wooden sailing brig of 175 tons built in 1837 at Abroath was wrecked south of Cape Voltas, between Alexander Bay and Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape. The site of the wreck was on a reef near Wreck Point. One boy was drowned whilkst crossing the Orange River. 1874: The south-westerly gale that claimed seven vessels in the Eastern Cape from the 5th to the 7th finally calmed, but on this day, a south-easterly gale sprang up in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, claiming … [Read more...] about 8 December Shipwreck List

1874: The south-westerly gale that battered the Eastern Cape coastline for two days, continued into this day, claiming its final three victims in the Eastern Cape: Emile Marie, this wooden sailing barque wrecked near Bonza Bay in East London. Her crew were rescued. James Gibson, this wooden sailing barque wrecked at Cape Henderson, near Haga-Haga. The rescuers of the Nova Bella, which wrecked the previous day, thought that the James Gibson might be refloated having been run aground in a … [Read more...] about 7 December Shipwreck List

1825: John, this wooden sailing vessel wrecked at the mouth of the Great Fish River in the Eastern Cape. Very little is known about it. 1844: Flamingo, this American wooden sailing vessel wrecked at Struisbaai/Struis Bay in the Western Cape. It is possible that it was just grounded and refloated. 1856: Zaltbommel, this 642 tons Dutch wooden sailing barque, under Captain CJ Juta, was wrecked between Mouille Point and Chavonnes Battery in Table Bay in the Western Cape. She had left Table Bay … [Read more...] about 3 December Shipwreck List

1871: Edith Smith, this wooden sailing brig wrecked on the North Patch of Bird Island in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. Edith Smith was a Cape wooden Brig of 171 tons, built in 1862 by Gough, Bridgewater and owned by I.O. Smith, Cape of Good Hope. Edith Smith was on a voyage from East London to Algoa Bay with a cargo of 340 bales of wool, some hides and 30 tons of mealies. She had called at Bird Island to land provisions for the guano party. 1882: Adonis, this 406 ton British sailing schooner … [Read more...] about 2 December Shipwreck List