Midbrak Meander

– 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘀

Among the many ships claimed by the waters of Mossel Bay, the German schooner Santos remains one of the most well-remembered.

In July 1874, Santos lay at anchor when powerful south-easterly swells rolled in. With the captain ashore and the mate unwell, the ship was left vulnerable. As the anchor dragged and the vessel drifted toward the head of the bay, distress signals were sent, but despite a generous reward, no one dared to row the captain back.

When the anchor chain finally snapped, the crew attempted to sail to safety, but the ship refused to respond. She ran aground between two reefs. The usual rocket apparatus failed, but a rope was floated ashore, allowing the crew to escape using a “traveller.”

Mr. A. B. Munro later purchased the wreck for hundred pounds, with the cargo and tackle selling for another three hundred pounds.

The Santos is just one of several shipwrecks etched into Mossel Bay’s maritime history, alongside Huijs te Marquette, Rosebud, and Kingfisher.

📖 Ref: Lawrence Green – Harbours of Memory

Onthou dat ons gedurende Desember
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