Cape Town is known for many things, from food, the Winelands, and beaches to gorgeous hiking spots, but one thing the Cape is notorious for are her fierce storms.
For centuries the “Cape of Storms” has claimed many ships, leaving their remnants scattered along the Mother City’s coastlines. Although the leftover fragments of grand vessels may have come to the end of their journeys, they now offer visitors of their wreck sites a glimpse into the past and fascinating visual journey of raw history.
Here are our five favourite shipwrecks to visit.
The Antipolis – Oudekraal
This old Greek oil tanker dating back to 1977, found it’s resting place near Victoria Road in Oudekraal Cape Town while being towed to a wreckers yard. The Antipolis was tightly wedged between ridged rocks while being towed and simply would not budge. Since then the Antipolis was used as a party venue until her structure were removed and sold as scrap. She now rests in her past glory, serving as a fine diving site.
Bos 400 – Hout Bay
A French Derrick Lay Barge that ran aground while being towed by the Russian tugboat Tigr. in 1994.
During the towing process, tow-rope broke loose because of a raging storm causing the vessel to run aground off Duiker Point near Sandy Bay.
Several attempts were made to tow the Derrick Lay Barge from the rocky shore but none prevailed and she was eventually abandoned.
SS Thomas T Tucker – Cape Point
Possibly one of Cape Town’s most photographed ship wrecks, the SS Thomas T Tucker. This US liberty ship which served as a troop and weapon carrier ran aground in 1942 on her voyage to Suez from New Orleans due to the captain misjudging the location of the ship while surrounded by thick fog on rough seas. Later investigation revealed that the ship’s compass was out by 37°.
Meisho Maru – Cape Agulas
The Meisho Maru was a small Japanese fishing vessel that ran aground in 1982 on story waters. The wreck occurred close to shore and the crew of 17 were able to swim safely to shore.
The wreck reduces in size each year due to the heavy swells in this area and will eventually be completely claimed by the ocean waves.
SS Kakapo – Noordhoek Beach
This 665-ton schooner rigged steamship was headed for Australia in 1900, stocked with newly collected coal when a gale blew her ashore at Noordhoek Beach.
No lives were lost in the wreck and today all that can be seen of this grand ship are its boilers and leftover hull.
Picture: Pixabay