List of shipwrecks of Africa

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This is a list of shipwrecks located in or around the continent of Africa.

The shipwreck of HMS Birkenhead, near Cape Town, South Africa, 1852.
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East Africa[edit]

Eritrea[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Black Assarca shipwreck Unknown Early 7th century (Presumed) A wreck discovered at Black Assarca Island in 1995. It was excavated in 1997, and found to hold a cargo of amphoras.

Kenya[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Globe Star  Singapore 27 April 1973 A cargo ship that ran aground off Mombasa.[1] 4°04′54″S 39°43′12″E / 4.0818°S 39.72°E / -4.0818; 39.72 (Globe Star (ship))
Gulland  Aden 13 April 1951 A 545-ton Isles-class trawler built for World War II. It ran aground three miles (4.8 km) north of Mombasa. 04°02′50″S 39°43′57″E / 4.04722°S 39.73250°E / -4.04722; 39.73250 (HMS Gulland (T239))
Mtongwe  Tanzania 27 April 1994 A Likoni and Mombasa route ferry that capsized due to overcrowding off Kilindini Harbour. 270 people lost their lives.[2]

Mozambique[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Katina P  Greece 26 April 1992 An oil tanker that was damaged in a storm, spilling several thousand tonnes of oil. 25°35′S 32°59′E / 25.583°S 32.983°E / -25.583; 32.983 (Katina P)
Sunny South  Royal Navy 20 February 1861 An American-built extreme clipper sold to Havana and put to work in the slave trade. It was captured by the Royal Navy and used as a store ship, before striking a reef and sinking at Mayotte. 13°02′53″S 45°11′42″E / 13.048°S 45.195°E / -13.048; 45.195 (Sunny South (clipper))

Somalia[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Achille Lauro  Italy 2 December 1994 A cruise ship that was hijacked in 1985 by the Palestine Liberation Front. It ultimately sank nine years later, after an explosion in the engine room started a fire that engulfed the ship. 2°N 47°E / 2°N 47°E / 2; 47 (MS Achille Lauro)
U-852  Kriegsmarine 3 May 1944 A Type IXD2 U-boat that was attacked by British aircraft and run aground near Bayla. 9°32′N 50°59′E / 9.533°N 50.983°E / 9.533; 50.983 (German submarine U-852)

Tanzania[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
SMS Königsberg  Imperial German Navy 11 July 1915 A Königsberg-class light cruiser that was sunk in the Rufiji River.[1][3] 7°52′6″S 39°14′24″E / 7.86833°S 39.24000°E / -7.86833; 39.24000 (SMS Königsberg (1905))
HMS Pegasus  Royal Navy 20 September 1914 A Pelorus-class protected cruiser that was sunk at Zanzibar by SMS Königsberg.[1][3] 6°8′54″S 39°11′36″E / 6.14833°S 39.19333°E / -6.14833; 39.19333 (HMS Pegasus (1897))
Spice Islander I  Tanzania 10 September 2011 A RORO ferry that sank between Unguja and Pemba Island, with the loss of at least 200 lives. 5°39′23″S 39°28′27″E / 5.65639°S 39.47417°E / -5.65639; 39.47417 (MV Spice Islander I)

Lake Victoria[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Bukoba  Tanzania 21 May 1996 A Lake Victoria ferry that sank off Mwanza with over 200 confirmed dead. 1°59′2″S 32°19′7″E / 1.98389°S 32.31861°E / -1.98389; 32.31861 (MV Bukoba)
Kabalega  Uganda 8 May 2005 A train ferry that collided with Kaawa near the Ssese Islands. 0°39′23″S 32°8′41″E / 0.65639°S 32.14472°E / -0.65639; 32.14472 (MV Kabalega)

Lake Albert[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Robert Coryndon The Protectorate of Uganda 1962 A British ferry named after Robert Coryndon, Governor of Uganda (1918–1922).

Madagascar[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Adventure Galley England April 1698 A galley that was captained by William Kidd, who ordered it burnt at Île Sainte-Marie.
HMS Serapis  Royal Navy July 1781 A Roebuck-class fifth rate that caught fire and sank off Île Sainte-Marie. 17°00′09″S 49°50′31″E / 17.00250°S 49.84194°E / -17.00250; 49.84194 (HMS Serapis (1779))

North Africa[edit]

Algeria[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
HMS Algerine  Royal Navy 15 November 1942 An Algerine-class minesweeper that was torpedoed by the Italian submarine Ascianghi off Béjaïa. 36°45′N 05°11′E / 36.750°N 5.183°E / 36.750; 5.183 (HMS Algerine (J213))
City of Venice  Royal Navy 4 July 1943 A troopship that was torpedoed by the German submarine U-375. 36°44′N 1°31′E / 36.733°N 1.517°E / 36.733; 1.517 (SS City of Venice)
HMS Ibis  Royal Navy 10 November 1942 A Black Swan-class sloop that was sunk by an Italian aircraft north of Algiers. 37°0′N 3°0′E / 37.000°N 3.000°E / 37.000; 3.000 (HMS Ibis (U99))
HMS Karanja  Royal Navy 12 November 1942 Troop carrier (infantry), former BI cargo liner. Sunk by German aircraft off Bougie (Béjaïa).
USS Leedstown  United States Navy 9 November 1942 A troopship that was sunk by the German submarine U-331 off Algiers. 36°49′13″N 3°9′55″E / 36.82028°N 3.16528°E / 36.82028; 3.16528 (USS Leedstown (AP-73))
HMCS Louisburg  Royal Canadian Navy 6 February 1943 A Flower-class corvette that was sunk by German aircraft near Mostaganem. 36°15′N 00°15′E / 36.250°N 0.250°E / 36.250; 0.250 (HMCS Louisburg (K143))
HMT Narkunda  Royal Navy 14 November 1942 British P&O requisitioned troopship bombed and sunk by German aircraft. Sister ship Naldera. Located off Bougie (Béjaïa), Algeria, passing Cape Carbon. 36°52′N 05°01′E / 36.867°N 5.017°E / 36.867; 5.017 (HMT Narkunda)
HMT Rohna  Royal Navy 26 November 1943 A British troop carrier sunk north of Béjaïa in an air attack during World War II.[4][5] 37°1′12″N 5°12′6″E / 37.02000°N 5.20167°E / 37.02000; 5.20167 (HMT Rohna)
HMS Samphire  Royal Navy 30 January 1943 A Flower-class corvette that was torpedoed by an Italian submarine off Béjaïa. 36°56′0″N 5°40′0″E / 36.93333°N 5.66667°E / 36.93333; 5.66667 (HMS Samphire (K128))
Strathallen  Royal Navy 22 December 1942 A Strath-class liner that was being used as a troop transport was sunk by a German submarine off the coast of Algeria.

Egypt[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
HMS Attack  Royal Navy 30 December 1917 An Acheron-class destroyer that was sunk northwest of Alexandria. 31°18′N 29°49′E / 31.300°N 29.817°E / 31.300; 29.817 (HMS Attack (1911))
HMS Defender  Royal Navy 11 July 1941 A D-class destroyer that was attacked by a German bomber and sank under tow off Sidi Barrani. 31°45′N 25°31′E / 31.750°N 25.517°E / 31.750; 25.517 (HMS Defender (H07))
L'Orient  French Navy 1 August 1798 An Océan-class ship of the line and Napoleon's flagship, destroyed by fire and explosion in Aboukir Bay during the Battle of the Nile.
HMS Myngs  Royal Navy 16 May 1970 A Z-class destroyer that was sunk by Israeli aircraft in Foul Bay.
Salem Express  France 14–15 December 1991 A roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry that ran aground at midnight on a reef near Safaga, sinking rapidly with the loss of at least 464 civilians. 26°38′22″N 34°3′39″E / 26.63944°N 34.06083°E / 26.63944; 34.06083 (MV Salem Express(1991))
HMS Salvia  Royal Navy 24 December 1941 A Flower-class corvette that was torpedoed by U-568 about 100 nautical miles (190 km; 120 mi) west of Alexandria. 31°28′N 28°00′E / 31.46°N 28.00°E / 31.46; 28.00 (HMS Salvia (K97))
Yolanda (Jolanda)  Cyprus April 1980 A cargo ship that ran aground on a reef at Ras Muhammad.

Libya[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
HMS Dainty  Royal Navy 24 February 1941 A D-class destroyer that was sunk by German bombers east of Tobruk. 32°4′24″N 24°4′42″E / 32.07333°N 24.07833°E / 32.07333; 24.07833 (HMS Dainty (H53))
HMS Ladybird  Royal Navy 12 May 1941 An Insect-class gunboat that was sunk by German dive bombers at Tobruk. 32°4′33″N 23°58′21″E / 32.07583°N 23.97250°E / 32.07583; 23.97250 (HMS Ladybird (1916))
Shuntien  Royal Navy 23 December 1941 A passenger and cargo liner that was torpedoed by the German submarine U-559 east of Tobruk. 32°04′N 24°28′E / 32.06°N 24.46°E / 32.06; 24.46 (SS Shuntien (1934))
HMS Sikh  Royal Navy 14 September 1942 A Tribal-class destroyer that was sunk by shore batteries off Tobruk. 32°5′52″N 24°0′0″E / 32.09778°N 24.00000°E / 32.09778; 24.00000 (HMS Sikh (F82))
HMS Terror  Royal Navy 23 February 1941 An Erebus-class monitor that was attacked by German aircraft and sank under tow off Derna. 32°59′N 22°32′E / 32.983°N 22.533°E / 32.983; 22.533 (HMS Terror (I03))
U-652  Kriegsmarine 2 June 1942 A Type VIIC U-boat that was attacked by a British aircraft and scuttled north of Bardia. 31°55′N 25°11′E / 31.917°N 25.183°E / 31.917; 25.183 (German submarine U-652)
Yoma  Royal Navy 17 June 1941 A troopship that was torpedoed by the German submarine U-81 northwest of Derna. 33°02′N 22°02′E / 33.03°N 22.04°E / 33.03; 22.04 (SS Yoma)

Morocco/Western Sahara[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Commerce  United States 1815 An American merchant ship that ran aground off Cape Bojador in what is now the Western Sahara. The surviving crew, led by Captain James Riley, were subsequently captured and taken as slaves by local tribes.[6]
Delhi  United Kingdom 12 December 1911 A steamship that ran aground in heavy fog. The Duke of Fife was rescued from the sinking ship, but contracted pleurisy and died soon afterward.
Empire Barracuda  United Kingdom 15 December 1942 A cargo ship that was torpedoed by the U-77 off Morocco. 35°30′N 06°17′W / 35.500°N 6.283°W / 35.500; -6.283 (SS Empire Barracuda)
USS Hugh L. Scott  United States Navy 12 November 1942 A Hugh L. Scott-class troopship that was torpedoed by U-130 off Casablanca. 33°40′N 7°35′W / 33.667°N 7.583°W / 33.667; -7.583 (USS Hugh L. Scott (AP-43))
HMS Lady Shirley  Royal Navy 11 December 1941 A warship that was torpedoed by U-374 in the Straits of Gibraltar. 35°59′N 5°17′W / 35.983°N 5.283°W / 35.983; -5.283 (HMS Lady Shirley)
USS Tasker H. Bliss  United States Navy 13 November 1942 A Tasker H. Bliss-class troopship that was sunk by U-130 off Casablanca. 33°40′N 7°35′W / 33.667°N 7.583°W / 33.667; -7.583 (USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP-42))
Taube  Germany 20 January 2009 The sailing yacht Taube, sailing for the (since abandoned) cultural exploration project Migrobirdo, capsized in heavy swell on the approach to the port of Mehdya on the Sebou River. Six youths of different nationalities drowned, while one German female survived. An investigation concluded that several factors contributed to the accident, including an untrained skipper, an inexperienced crew, overloading, and the absence of a clear line of command.[7] 34°16′N 06°41′W / 34.267°N 6.683°W / 34.267; -6.683 (SY Taube)
U-173  Kriegsmarine 16 November 1942 A Type IXC U-boat that was sunk by American destroyers off Casablanca. 33°40′N 07°35′W / 33.667°N 7.583°W / 33.667; -7.583 (German submarine U-173)
U-204  Kriegsmarine 19 October 1941 A Type VIIC U-boat that was sunk by HMS Mallow and HMS Rochester near Tangier. 35°46′N 06°02′W / 35.767°N 6.033°W / 35.767; -6.033 (German submarine U-204)
U-731  Kriegsmarine 15 May 1944 A Type VIIC U-boat that was sunk by British ships north of Tangier. 35°54′N 5°45′W / 35.900°N 5.750°W / 35.900; -5.750 (German submarine U-731)
U-732  Kriegsmarine 31 October 1943 A Type VIIC U-boat that came under attack from British forces and was scuttled north of Tangier. 35°54′N 05°52′W / 35.900°N 5.867°W / 35.900; -5.867 (German submarine U-732)

Tunisia[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
HMS Havock  Royal Navy 6 April 1942 A H-class destroyer that ran aground off Kelibia. 36°52′18″N 11°8′24″E / 36.87167°N 11.14000°E / 36.87167; 11.14000 (HMS Havock (H43))
HMS Hostile  Royal Navy 23 August 1940 A H-class destroyer that struck a mine and was scuttled off Cap Bon. 36°53′00″N 11°19′00″E / 36.8833°N 11.3167°E / 36.8833; 11.3167 (HMS Hostile (H55))
Mahdia Unknown Unknown An ancient shipwreck discovered near Mahdia in 1907. It is thought to date from around 80 BC.[8] 35°31′55″N 8°47′15″E / 35.53194°N 8.78750°E / 35.53194; 8.78750 (Mahdia shipwreck)
HMS Manchester  Royal Navy 13 August 1942 A Town-class light cruiser that was sunk during Operation Pedestal. 36°50′0″N 11°10′0″E / 36.83333°N 11.16667°E / 36.83333; 11.16667 (HMS Manchester (15))
USS PC-496  United States Navy 4 June 1943 A PC-461-class submarine chaser that sank off Bizerte. 37°23′0″N 9°52′0″E / 37.38333°N 9.86667°E / 37.38333; 9.86667 (USS PC-496)
USS Redwing  United States Navy 29 June 1943 A Lapwing-class minesweeper that capsized off Bizerte. 37°19′N 9°56′E / 37.317°N 9.933°E / 37.317; 9.933 (USS Redwing (AM-48))

Southern Africa[edit]

Malawi[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Vipya  Nyasaland 30 July 1946 A Malawian ship owned by the Nyasaland Railway Company that set sail from Monkey Bay to Chilumba in Karonga, Malawi in 1946. It capsized en route with the loss of the entire crew.

Namibia[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Bom Jesus  Portugal A Portuguese nau that set sail from Lisbon in 1533. It was discovered in 2008 on the coast near Oranjemund.[9]
Dunedin Star  United Kingdom 29 November 1942 A refrigerator ship that ran aground on the Skeleton Coast, 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of the Cunene River.[10] 18°08′S 11°33′E / 18.13°S 11.55°E / -18.13; 11.55 (MV Dunedin Star)
Eduard Bohlen  Germany 5 September 1909
A freighter that ran aground south of Conception Bay.[11][12] 		23°59′43″S 14°27′26″E / 23.99528°S 14.45722°E / -23.99528; 14.45722 (Eduard Bohlen)
Frotamerica Unknown 15 February 2013
The cargo ship ran aground at Lüderitz, Namibia.[13] 		26°22′12″S 15°02′25″E / 26.37000°S 15.04028°E / -26.37000; 15.04028 (Frotamerica)
Natal Coast  South Africa 1955 A Durban steamer that ran aground on a sandbank in dense fog, about 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of Swakopmund. The crew were unharmed and were able to get off the ship once the area's coast guard arrived and allowed everyone off.
Otavi Unknown 1945
A steamer that ran aground in Spencer Bay. 		25°43′56.4″S 014°50′00.2″E / 25.732333°S 14.833389°E / -25.732333; 14.833389
Zeila Unknown 25 August 2008
The ship ran aground 14 km south of Henties Bay, Namibia.[14] 		22°14′28″S 14°21′13″E / 22.24111°S 14.35361°E / -22.24111; 14.35361 (Zeila)

South Africa[edit]

Eastern Cape[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Bredenhof  Dutch East India Company 6 June 1753 A Dutch East Indiaman carrying copper duits, silver bars, and gold ducats, which hit a reef twenty-one kilometres (13 mi) from the eastern coast of Africa and 190 kilometres (120 mi) south of the Portuguese settlement of Mozambique. The wreck was discovered in 1986.[15]
Cordigliera Unknown 16 November 1996 After placing a distress call to Durban Radio at 10:30 pm requesting immediate assistance due to a leak in a hold, the freighter sank off Port St Johns, South Africa, with the loss of all 23 lives.[16]
Doddington  East India Company 17 July 1755 An East Indiaman that was wrecked at Bird Island in Algoa Bay.[17] 33°50.06′S 26°17.40′E / 33.83433°S 26.29000°E / -33.83433; 26.29000 (Doddington (ship))
Grosvenor  East India Company 4 August 1782 An East Indiaman that was wrecked off the Pondoland coast.[18] 31°22′26″S 29°54′53″E / 31.37389°S 29.91472°E / -31.37389; 29.91472 (Wreck of the Grosvenor)
Kapodistrias  Greece 1985 A Greek bulk carrier wrecked at Cape Recife near Port Elizabeth 34°02′32″S 25°41′36″E / 34.042167°S 25.693317°E / -34.042167; 25.693317 (Kapodistrias)
Kiperousa Unknown 2005 A bulk carrier that was stranded northeast of Port Alfred.[19] 33°20′S 27°25′E / 33.333°S 27.417°E / -33.333; 27.417 (Kiperousa)
Meng Yaw Unknown A fishing trawler that sank near St Francis Bay. 34°10′S 24°30′E / 34.167°S 24.500°E / -34.167; 24.500 (Meng Yaw)
Oceanos  Greece 4 August 1991 A cruise liner that sank off the Transkei coast, after leaving East London en route to Durban.[20] 32°07′15″S 29°07′13″E / 32.12093°S 29.12029°E / -32.12093; 29.12029 (MTS Oceanos)
Santissimo Sacramento  Portugal 1647 A Portuguese vessel wrecked at Sardinia Bay near Port Elizabeth 34°02′35″S 25°31′13″E / 34.04300°S 25.52033°E / -34.04300; 25.52033 (Santissimo Sacramento)
Shalom  Bahamas 26 July 2001 A combined ocean liner/cruise ship that sank off Cape St. Francis while under tow to be scrapped.
TMP Sagittarius Unknown July 2002 Stranded southwest of East London.[21] 33°4′S 27°51′E / 33.067°S 27.850°E / -33.067; 27.850 (TMP Saggittarius)

Natal[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
HMS Otus  Royal Navy September 1946 An Odin-class submarine that was scuttled off Durban. 29°52′21″S 31°05′39″E / 29.87250°S 31.09417°E / -29.87250; 31.09417 (HMS Otus (N92))
Phoenix  Equatorial Guinea September 2011 A tanker that ran aground near Ballito on 26 July 2011, and was then refloated and scuttled offshore.
Volo  Norway 6 March 1886 A barque that was stranded in the Bushman River.

Western Cape[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
A.H. Stevens Unknown 7 February 1962 Stranded in Shell Bay on Robben Island.
Arniston  East India Company 30 May 1815 A British East Indiaman, requisitioned for troop transport, wrecked near Waenhuiskrans.[22] 34°39′36″S 20°15′7″E / 34.66000°S 20.25194°E / -34.66000; 20.25194 (Arniston (ship))
HMS Birkenhead  Royal Navy 26 February 1852 A British iron-hulled troopship that struck a submerged rock near Gansbaai. The chivalry of the soldiers in abandoning ship gave rise to the "women and children first" protocol.[23] 34°38′42″S 19°17′9″E / 34.64500°S 19.28583°E / -34.64500; 19.28583 (HMS Birkenhead (1852))
BOS 400  France 26 June 1994 A derrick/lay barge that ran aground on Duiker point after breaking loose while being towed around the Cape Peninsula by the tug Tigr in a storm.[24] 34°2′13.28″S 18°18′31.18″E / 34.0370222°S 18.3086611°E / -34.0370222; 18.3086611 (BOS 400 (ship))
British Peer  United Kingdom 8 December 1896 A three-masted iron sailing ship that ran aground near the Cape of Good Hope.[25] 33°30.4′S 18°18.70′E / 33.5067°S 18.31167°E / -33.5067; 18.31167 (British Peer (ship))
Cospatrick  United Kingdom 17 November 1874 A wooden 3-masted full-rigged sailing ship that caught fire and sank south of the Cape of Good Hope, with a loss of 369 lives.[26] 37°S 12°E / 37°S 12°E / -37; 12 (Cospatrick (ship))
HMS Guardian  Royal Navy 24 December 1789 A 44-gun Roebuck-class ship laid down in 1780. Severely damaged by an iceberg, the ship was sailed 400 leagues (1,900 km) to the Cape of Good Hope, where it was intentionally grounded.[27]
Ikan Tanda  Singapore 2001 A cargo ship that ran aground near Cape Town, and was re-floated and scuttled 320 kilometres (200 mi) from shore.[28]
Joanna  East India Company 8 June 1682 An East Indiaman (the first to be wrecked off the South African coast) that sank near Cape Agulhas. A considerable amount of gold was on the ship.[29] 34°46′58″S 19°40′46″E / 34.78278°S 19.67944°E / -34.78278; 19.67944 (Joanna (ship))
Johanna Wagner  Prussia 15 July 1862 A Prussian barque that ran ashore due to navigational error near Muizenberg.[30]
Kakapo  United Kingdom 25 May 1900
A British 665-ton schooner-rigged steamship built in 1898 by the Grangemouth Dockyard Company 		34°07′26″S 18°20′56″E / 34.12389°S 18.34889°E / -34.12389; 18.34889 (SS Kakapo)
Maori  United Kingdom 5 August 1909 A Shaw Savill Line steamship that was wrecked near Llandudno, Cape Town.[31]
Meisho Maru No. 38  Japan 1982
A fishing trawler that sank near Cape Aghulas. 		34°49′S 19°59′E / 34.817°S 19.983°E / -34.817; 19.983 (Meisho Maru No. 38)
Nolloth Unknown Unknown A coastal trading vessel that sunk near Olifantsbos Bay. 34°16′S 18°23′E / 34.267°S 18.383°E / -34.267; 18.383 (Nolloth)
Pantalis A Lemos Unknown 1978 A bulk carrier that sank near Saldanha Bay. 33°9′S 18°1′E / 33.150°S 18.017°E / -33.150; 18.017 (Pantalis A Lemos)
HMS Pelorus  Royal Navy 12 November 1994 A British Algerine-class minesweeper built in 1943. It was renamed SAS Pietermarizburg in 1947, and at the end of its career was scuttled to make an artificial reef at Miller's Point near Simon's Town.[32]
Phoenix  East India Company 19 July 1829 A merchant vessel that was wrecked near Simon's Town. 34°11.388′S 18°26.898′E / 34.189800°S 18.448300°E / -34.189800; 18.448300 (Phoenix (1810 ship))
SAS President Kruger South African Navy 18 February 1982 A South African frigate that sank in deep water after a collision with its refueling ship, SAS Tafelberg.[33] 35°15′S 17°21′E / 35.250°S 17.350°E / -35.250; 17.350 (SAS President Kruger (F150))
São José Paquete Africa  Portugal 27 December 1794 A Portuguese slave ship that was wrecked on the rocks off Cape Town, resulting in the deaths of over 200 slaves. The wreck was rediscovered in the 1980s, but was not identified until 2015.
HMS Sceptre  Royal Navy 5 November 1799 A 64-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy that was blown ashore in Table Bay by a gale, with heavy losses.[34] 33°55′12″S 18°27′0″E / 33.92000°S 18.45000°E / -33.92000; 18.45000 (HMS Sceptre (1781))
Seli 1  Turkey 18 September 2009 A Turkish bulk carrier carrying coal that ran aground on Bloubergstrand near Table Bay. 33°49′15.75″S 18°28′24.58″E / 33.8210417°S 18.4734944°E / -33.8210417; 18.4734944 (Seli 1)
Staaten Generaal  Batavian Republic 1806 A Dutch ship of the line that was scuttled near Simon's Town to prevent her falling into enemy hands following the Battle of Blaauwberg.
HMS Thames  Royal Navy 13 May 1947 A former Mersey-class protected cruiser that became famous as SATS General Botha, a merchant naval training ship. After retiring as a training ship, it reverted to its original name and was sunk in False Bay near Simon's Town as a target.[35] 34°13′48″S 18°37′48″E / 34.23000°S 18.63000°E / -34.23000; 18.63000 (HMS Thames (1885))
Thomas T. Tucker  United States 27 November 1942 A Houston-built munitions carrier that ran ashore on Oliphantsbos Point, near Cape Point.[36] 34°16′23.66″S 18°22′48.33″E / 34.2732389°S 18.3800917°E / -34.2732389; 18.3800917 (SS Thomas T. Tucker)
Treasure  Panama 23 June 2000 A bulk ore carrier that developed a hole in its hull and sank under tow northwest of Cape Town, causing an oil spill that killed around 2,000 endangered African penguins. 33°40.30′S 18°19.90′E / 33.67167°S 18.33167°E / -33.67167; 18.33167 (MV Treasure oil spill)
Wafra  Liberia 28 February 1971 An oil tanker that grounded near Cape Agulhas, causing an oil spill. The ship was later refloated, towed out to sea, and re-sunk to avoid further contamination of the coastline. 36°57′S 20°42′E / 36.950°S 20.700°E / -36.950; 20.700 (SS Wafra)
Waterloo  United Kingdom 28 August 1842 A British convict ship that was driven ashore in Table Bay by a storm, together with the troop transport Abercrombie Robinson.

West Africa[edit]

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Diemermeer  Dutch East India Company 1747 An East Indiaman that was wrecked off the Banana Islands, Sierra Leone. The wreck was rediscovered in 2014.
George  Nigeria 1 April 1999 A Nigerian and Port Harcourt to Nembe route ferry that capsized in rough sea off Port Harcourt. At least 100 people were killed.[37]
Hartwell  East India Company 22 May 1787 An East Indiaman that ran aground off Cape Verde following a mutiny.
Joola  Senegal 26 September 2002 A Senegalese passenger ship that capsized off the coast of the Gambia.[38]
Medusa  Kingdom of France 2 July 1816 A French passenger ship that sank near Bank of Arguin. The traumatic experience of the stranded passengers and crew was immortalized in Géricault's painting, The Raft of the Medusa. 20°02′51″N 16°48′32″W / 20.0475°N 16.8090°W / 20.0475; -16.8090 (Medusa)
Primauguet  French Navy 8 November 1942 A French Duguay-Trouin-class light cruiser, laid down in 1923, that was sunk by gunfire from USS Massachusetts.
Tor Hugo  Norway 27 November 1972 A Norwegian patrol boat that served in World War II before being sold off to civilian ownership as a fishing vessel.
William D. Lawrence  Canada A full-rigged ship that sank off Dakar.[39]

References[edit]

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  2. ^ Thoya, Francis (19 November 2003). "The restless ghosts of Mtongwe". Wednesday Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006.
  3. ^ a b Patience, Kevin (1997). Königsberg: a German East African raider. Kevin Patience.
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  6. ^ Riley, James; Evans, Gordon H. (2007). Sufferings in Africa: The Astonishing Account of a New England Sea Captain Enslaved by North African Arabs. Lyons Press. ISBN 978-1-59921-211-1.
  7. ^ "Capsize of the SY TAUBE with six fatalities off the Atlantic coast of Morocco on 20 January 2009". German Federal Bureau for Maritime Casualty Investigation. 15 February 2010.
  8. ^ Merlin, Alfred (1908). Bulletin de la société nationale des antiquaires de France. pp. 128–131. Cited in: Bates, William N. (January – March 1909). "Archaeological News". American Journal of Archaeology 13 (1): 102f.
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  36. ^ Mitchell, Peter (4 July 2007). "Thomas T. Tucker". Submerged.
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  38. ^ "Hundreds lost as Senegal ferry sinks". BBC News. 27 September 2002.
  39. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Archived from the original on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.

External links[edit]

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