Page 27 - Bulletin 9 2005

24

Shipwreck sites have also formed an integral part in recreation, tourism and curiosity. The
Maori wreck site has for many years been a favourite dive spot for recreational divers.

Wrecked in 1909 between Sandy Bay and Hout Bay, the vessel and her cargo remained
almost intact. The crockery, wine, champagne and other cargo items have lured souvenir

hunters, whilst the intact hull and curiosities on board have brought divers from all over the

world to the site. It is unfortunate that looting over the years has diminished the integrity
and splendour of the dive. A once popular site has become less attractive as curiosities and

objects of interest have been removed.

Wreck sites that can be explored on foot have also gained popularity over the years. The
corroding remains of the Kakapo have attracted numerous visitors to Long Beach,

Noordhoek. On 25 May 1900, in poor visibility during a north-westerly gale, the captain
mistook Chapman’s Peak for Cape Point and ran hard aground on the beach, just north of
the mouth of the Wildevogelvlei near Klein Slangkop. There was no loss of life as the crew

came ashore safely. Winter storms gradually pushed the vessel farther inland, and although

several attempts were made to re-float her, it proved impossible. The hull remains lie at the
high tide mark, largely covered by sand. When wrecked, the vessel was on her maiden

voyage. For a brief period after her wrecking an unnamed man made the stranded ship his
home. He is often visible in pictures taken of the wreck. He appears in the ship’s rigging

and smoke from his fire rises from the ships funnel. After World War I much of the plating
of the vessel was removed under contract, and subsequently used by the SAR & H as a

barricade on Fish Hoek beach to stop the sand being blown onto the road and railway lines.

A selection of further shipwreck biographies is included in Table 2.