Page 35 - Bulletin 22 2019

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Kogel Baai

The Colebrooke (a treasure ship) was an English East Indiaman of 723 tons and 26 guns,
commanded by Capt. Arthur Morris. She went ashore off the Kogel Baai beach on 24 August

1778 after striking Anvil Rock off Cape Point and losing her rudder. She was on an outward
bound voyage from the Downs off south-east Kent which she had left in March 1778 in the

company of three other ships – Asia, Gatton and Royal Admiral. They were on their way to

Bombay with a cargo of lead, copper and military supplies. She was reputed to have been
carrying an undisclosed amount of gold. Several lives were lost, but little is known of what

may have been removed from her by the other ships prior to her going aground.

In 1984 Charlie Shapiro located her in the breakers, also lying deep in the sand.

Cape Hangklip

Louise Cheller was a German barque of 408 tons commanded by Capt. Klocking. She was

wrecked at Hangklip on 6 June 1882 during a north-west gale. She was putting into Simon’s
Bay to reposition her cargo while on a voyage from New York to Singapore. She had a cargo

of paraffin oil – the lower tier had leaked out and so it was decided to rather re-stow in Table
Bay.

Conclusion

Sadly, most of our maritime heritage, and much of the history which lies beneath the sea, will

in most cases become a forgotten memory, or a distorted version of reality, as it passes from
mouth to mouth in discussion or debate. The authorities insist that the best means of

preservation of maritime artefacts is to leave them scattered and exposed on the seabed.
Access to permits to search and salvage from wrecks is forbidden and only granted to a small

handful of connected individuals and pals.

But there are passionate historians who fly under the radar to bring some of the artefacts to
the surface, so as to save some of our history. Sadly, much of this finds its way to overseas

collectors and museums, as our local museums have also been instructed to refuse any
artefacts a diver may wish to offer for their display. (Figs. 1.35 – 1.37.)