The Cape Coast is not known as the Cape of Storms for nothing. Many a sailing vessel has come to grief along our coastline.
In this picture you can see the engine block of RMS Athens which still stands off Mouille Point since her demise in The Great Storm on 17 May 1865.
John Dimond wrote in his book on wrecks near Green Point Lighthouse that – a report in local newspaper, The Cape Argus, said “We have since learned that the vessel has entirely broken up, and that not one of her crew has come ashore either alive or dead.”
From 1780 to 1966, Dimond lists 30 wrecks just in the area from Mouille Point to Green Point.
Go to – My Holidays and Trips – at the top of this page to read about other places we have visited. Or just click on – this link.
Dear "Greenie", there is a shipwreck just about 50 metres off the beach at Simonstown which seems to appear as a 'shadow' in the clear blue water. It might even be that a part of it appears above the water. Perhaps also the engine block-much like the Athens. What wreck is it?
Also: when I was a little boy, my grandfather used to take us on a Sunday drive along Chapman's peak. I remember vividly the section which opens up above Noordhoek Beach and there used to be a wrecked ship (trawler I think) lying half in and half out of the sand and sitting right there in full public view. I seem to recall the talk in the car turning to the word "quicksand" and I remember that being cemented in my memory. However over the years that shipwreck just simply disappeared.There was no trace of it in the 70's and certainly none now. What was it and what happened to it? It certainly WAS there and I know what I saw. It was NOT the shipwreck which left the boiler which formed the backdrop for part of the famous movie "Ryans Daughter". That part of THAT wreck was already there when I saw the 'trawler' wreck. Any idea? I am not imagining this I promise.
Jeremy Swanson
Ottawa
Canada
John Dimond wrote in his book on wrecks near Green Point Lighthouse that – a report in local newspaper, The Cape Argus, said "We have since learned that the vessel has entirely broken up, and that not one of her crew has come ashore either alive or dead." – See more at: http://greenpointgreenie.blogspot.ca/2010/03/cape-coast-is-not-known-as-cape-of.html#sthash.I47sFLpo.dpuf On the RMS Athens, story, I believe that there was once reported a single Greek man survived the sinking. And a dog.
Jeremy Swanson
Ottawa
Canada
Hi Jeremy
Let me see what I can find out.
Regards,
Greenie.