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Figs. 2.67 & 2.68: Six intrepid young men on the hulk of steam-trawler Rex, wrecked on 3
October 1903. (RRW). She was newly arrived from England and owned by False Bay
Fishing and Cold Storage Co. She had come over from Simon’s Town to collect ice and
while anchored in Kalk Bay a south-easter came up, the anchor dragged and, although she
had steam up, she drifted onto the rocks. The Admiralty tug Scotchman from Simon’s
Town and one of the Company’s steam trawlers Marie were unable to drag her off as she
was badly holed and taking water. Her 10-man crew got ashore safely. The Court of
Enquiry found Captain Newbury guilty of poor seamanship and responsible for the loss
which ruined her owners. Newbury’s ticket was suspended for three months. The Co.
manager was later fined £2 for assaulting Capt Newbury in the King’s Hotel.
Today: Some iron frames bear testimony to the disaster.