Maritime archaeologist and historian, Dr Bruno Werz, believes he has discovered the site of one of South Africa’s most significant shipwrecks, the Haarlem. He is 95% sure the ship is buried just metres from the shore in front of the Dolphin Beach Hotel.
“No shipping disaster worldwide has ever had such an impact on the history of an entire nation,” Werz told the press on Friday as he revealed information that points to the final resting place of the vessel along the shoreline near Table View.
Werz has avidly researched the Haarlem since 1989 and even written a book on the subject. Now he is working with a team of experts to prove his research once excavations begin.
“The Haarlem was wrecked in Table Bay in March 1647 and the events that followed had far-reaching consequences for the history of this country,” says Werz who explains how 62 men were left behind while the remainder of the crew was repatriated on accompanying ships.
The men from Haarlem come into contact with indigenous people during their stay and reported their favourable experience back to their superiors on upon returning to the Dutch Republic, it was because of these reports that the VOC decided to establish a much-needed stopover for ships in Cape Town.
This station, that became known as the ‘Tavern of the Seas’, later developed into the City of Cape Town. “The wrecking of Haarlem can thus be regarded as the catalyst that created not only Cape Town, but also the roots of current multiracial and multicultural South African society,” he says.
Now Werz, who is in the process of applying for the necessary excavation permits, is confident that the Haarlem lies just offshore in water depths of less than two metres southwest of the Dolphin Beach Hotel in Table View.
Maritime archeologist and historian, Bruno Werz today uncovered information that points to the potential site of one of South Africa’s most significant shipwrecks, the Haarlem. pic.twitter.com/DyGEmBdDQ1
— Cape {Town} Etc (@CapeTownEtc) August 16, 2019
“Test excavations and data show that there is a structure about three to four metres below the seabed that fits the description of what one would expect to find as the remains of the Haarlem,” he says.
Work to verify the wreck has included archival, literature, geological and geophysical surveys, as well as archaeological test excavations.
“The objective is to locate both the shipwreck and its associated survivor camp and, once found, to excavate these historical sites according to the highest achievable standards,” he says.
“Based on the combined results of these different research approaches, there is a chance of 95% that the location of the wreck of Haarlem has been found. The ultimate proof will be the discovery of 19 iron cannon and four iron anchors, as it has been recorded that these items were left behind when the wreck was abandoned. Only future excavation can tell,” he concludes.
The project has been supported entirely by sponsors and volunteers including Guerrini Marine Construction, Broadband Geophysical, WSP Coastal Engineers, Shango Solutions and the University of the Witwatersrand.
Werz estimates that extending the project to include further excavations to provide the conclusive proof the team needs will require additional funding and is aiming to secure this through further sponsorship in future.
Pictures: Nidha Narrandes