Wood, Iron and Steel

Wood, Iron and Steel: Shipwrecks Mapped off the Western Cape presents 60 shipwrecks mapped off the Western Cape, reflecting the diverse maritime history of the area. Shipwrecks are a tangible link to the past, and part of their allure is uncovering the stories that lie beneath the waves. The featured wrecks, dating from 1697 to 2009, include wooden sailing ships from the Age of Discovery, iron-hulled steamers that traded between Europe and the East, and modern vessels made of steel. From passenger liners to deep-sea trawlers, tugboats, dredgers and bulk carriers, every wreck had a life before it was lost, and every loss is a tale of its own.

The shipwrecks mapped off the Western Cape were surveyed in 2021 as part of a project to map the seafloor off the Western Cape coast. Cutting-edge scanning technology enables us to view them as never before, while on-site dives and extensive research have added to what is known about each vessel. Each entry incorporates technical data, history, the circumstances of loss, and a description of the wreck in its current resting place, accompanied by photographs or paintings, and vivid multibeam sonar images of the wrecks on the seafloor.

An introduction by renowned maritime author, Brian Ingpen, illustrates the role the sea has played in the story of the Cape, and reinforces the challenges of navigating its often-turbulent waters. Wood, Iron and Steel captures the final moments of each vessel, and it highlights the importance of recording and preserving our maritime heritage. Not every wreck is significant, but once any ship disappears below the surface, it becomes an integral part of the underwater landscape, and its legend may persist for generations to come. Divers, sailors, cultural historians, heritage architects, marine surveyors, and anyone with an interest in the sea will enjoy this glimpse into an unseen world that few people experience.