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There’s a new adventure lurking around every corner in Cape Town, and this one includes shipwrecks! If you consider yourself an explorer like Christopher Columbus, and are itching to sink your teeth into a slice of history, we’ve got you covered.
Here are shipwreck adventures to explore in Cape Town, coupled with some interesting information that’ll have you sitting on the edge of your seat and ready to jump into your car to start your next quest!
RMS Athens, Mouille Point
The “Royal Mail Ship Athens” was wrecked between Mouille Point and Green Point on 17 May 1865. This iron steam screw barque of 739 tons was built in 1856 and operated by the Union shipping company.
The artefact is the iron engine block of the Royal Mail Steamer Athens, which ran aground during an infamous storm called the ‘Great North Westerly Gale’ of 1865.
Where to view it: The remains of the engine-block is visible above the water, 50 metres off the parking lot at the intersection of Beach and Fritz Sonnenberg roads in Mouille Point.
SS Clan Stuart, Simon’s Town
The “SS Clan Stuart” was a 3500 ton British turret steamer carrying a cargo of coal, and ran aground after dragging its anchor in a South East gale on 21 November 1914. Several efforts were made to re-float the ship over a period of four months, but without success.
The wreck lies in fairly shallow water (about 8m), and the area is mostly fine sand with occasional low sandstone outcrops. The iron structure of the wreck has become very broken up over the years. This site where she lies was declared a Marine Protected Area in 2004, and a permit is required for any work or study to be carried out.
Where to view it: The ship’s engine block still breaks the surface, jutting above the waves 50 metres off Mackerel Beach (in front of the Harbour Bay Mall between Simon’s Town and Glencairn).
Shipwreck trail, Cape Point
More officially known as Olifantsbos Shipwreck Trail, the Thomas T Tucker hike falls within Cape Point Nature Reserve, with over 1200 endemic and protected plants to explore and various forms of wildlife to the lookout for.
The American liberty ship carrying supplies during World War II struck Albatross Rock in 1942 on her maiden voyage and her remains lie stranded on the rocks. A little further up the coast, you’ll find the Dutch coaster, the Nolloth, wrecked here in 1965.
Please visit SANParks website for information about permits or the Cape Point website for visitor information.
SS Kakapo, Kommetjie
The wreck of the Kakapo is still visible above the high-tide line on Noordhoek Beach and began her voyages in the 1900s. Kakapo was named after an endangered New Zealand parrot and built in 1898. This 1093-ton, schooner-rigged steamship was destined for Sydney, Australia and set sail from Swansea in Wales but made a stop over in Cape Town along the way.
Kakapo was at the mercy of the Cape of Storms and powerful winds took a hold of the vessel and dragged it towards Chapman’s Bay.
Where to view it: To get there, walk south along Noordhoek Beach from Noordhoek parking lot (1¼ hours) or north from the Wireless Road beach parking lot in Kommetjie (30 minutes). The remains of the boiler, rudder and ribs lie high up on the beach.
Picture: Cape Point
