Welcome to the ships and seafaring pages of the Southern Cape website. The purpose of this part of the site is to explore and perhaps create a database of all the vessels, commercial and naval, that have been seen in these waters. It is also about the histories of the different navies or shipping companies, and specifically their activity in these parts.
All vessels that have been seen or suspected of having been in Southern Cape waters will be included. The emphasis will of course be on naval vessels in particular, but also automatically include any ships that were wrecked along the coast. Other ships of importance are the various coasters used in the nineteenth century, before the completion of the railways.
The area of interest is the part of South African territorial waters between Cape Agulhas in the west and Cape Recife in the east. Both these points are marked by prominent lighthouses of significant historical value. Harbours of various economic value have been developed in the past, but none currently are used as such. Also, no naval bases were established in this area.
Any information on the maritime history of the Southern Cape will be greatly appreciated. Obvious the best claim of the presence of a particular ship would be a photograph, so any reference to sources are welcome.
Mossel Bay harbour.
March 2004
© Robert I. Sadler, 2004
March 2004
© Robert I. Sadler, 2004
March 2004
© Robert I. Sadler, 2004
Pacific Lance.
March 2004
© Robert I. Sadler, 2004