SW0004

Did You Know?

The Umzimkulu was an iron screw steamship (coaster) that wrecked on 16 June 1883 at the mouth of the Breede River near Port Beaufort in the Western Cape. The vessel was originally built in the United Kingdom and operated as a coastal steamer, likely involved in transporting goods and passengers along the South African coast. The wreck site is notable for the remains of its steam boiler and iron fragments that still lie on the rocky bank, serving as a tangible reminder of 19th-century maritime activity in the region. Port Beaufort, located at the mouth of the Breede River, was a small but important harbour during the 1800s, facilitating trade between the interior and coastal shipping. The Umzimkulu's wreck is one of several historical shipwrecks in the area, reflecting the hazards of navigating the often treacherous river mouth and coastline.

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