• THE CAPE PENINSULA HISTORICAL SHIPWRECK ROUTE

The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) and the South African Maritime Museum (SAMM) are developing the concept of historical wreck routes in South Africa, and have establish, as the pilot project, the Cape Peninsula Shipwreck Route. 

The substantial and significant underwater cultural heritage to be found along this section of our coast, and the nature of the Cape Peninsula with its scenic coastal drives, naturally lend themselves to the concept of a shipwreck route, and a trip along this magnificent and dangerous coast is also a journey back in time to experience the drama of the multitude of shipping disasters that have played themselves out on these shores. 

What is a Wreck Route?:

A wreck route consists of a series of information signboards or story boards erected at important or interesting historical wreck sites along a stretch of coastline.  Individual wreck routes are usually fairly localised, but can be incorporated into a larger, provincial or national network of routes.  An underwater component to wreck routes has also been successfully introduced in Australia, and consists of concrete plinths deposited underwater on or near the wreck, carrying information targeting divers visiting the site.  Additional literature in the form of pamphlets or books can also be produced to accompany the route.

The success of these routes is founded on the massive public appeal of shipwrecks, and on the new facet they add to the traditional coastal tourist itinerary of an area.  From a heritage management perspective, routes such as this also serve the very important role of providing a means of presenting an educational message to visitors about the archaeological and historical importance of underwater cultural heritage, and of the need to conserve and protect this resource, which in the South African instance is a resource under threat.  

The Cape Peninsula Wreck Route:

The Cape Peninsula Wreck Route, as envisaged, will consist of a broad cross-section of thirty wrecks, which have been selected for inclusion for a variety of reasons - some for their association with historical events, some because they are interesting examples of aspects of historical shipbuilding or maritime technology, others are good dive sites, and yet others because their remains are visible on beaches and in the surf.

The route will ultimately comprise land-based story boards erected in areas of both general shipwreck interest, and at individual shipwreck sites, which will provide visitors with information about the history of the wreck or wrecks.  They will contain graphic information and, where available, give details of archaeological work carried out the sites.  In some cases, the signage will be supplemented by the fact that portions of the wreck in question are still visible.  The first interpretive sign was erected in February 2003 at the small-boat slipway in Hout Bay harbour.  It addresses the wreck of the Maori, which is one of Cape Town’s most popular summer dive sites.

Some suitable sites will also be included in a scuba and snorkelling trail, which will give those wishing to do so the opportunity to dive on a shipwreck site.  This underwater signage, in the form of concrete plinths, will provide details of the history of the vessel and it’s loss, a site plan to orientate divers and indicate points of interest on the wreck, and will also include a list of shipwreck do’s and don’ts and a statement about the legal protection these sites enjoy.  The mould required to manufacture these plinths has been produced for SAHRA, and it is planned that the deployment of the initial plinth, on the wreck of the Maori near Llandudno, will take place shortly.

If successful, it is envisaged that the Wreck Route concept will be expanded to include routes along other parts of the South African coast, such as the Cape Agulhas area, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban.

Information relating to the route is currently available from SAHRA, or on the OpenAfrica website:  www.openafrica.org

•  THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE

One of the many strands woven into the tapestry that is the history of the Rainbow Nation is the influence and consequences of the maritime expansion of Europe into the rest of the world after the 15^th century.  Scattered along the South African coast are thousands of shipwrecks, the physical remains of these economic and political forces which, for better or worse, had a profound effect on the recent history of South Africa, and helped to shape the nation we are today.

South Africa’s historical shipwrecks and other maritime archaeological sites form a heritage resource that is one of the richest and most diverse in the world.  At least 2700 historical shipwrecks of 38 nationalities have occurred on our shores.  Some of these sites preserve evidence of practices like slavery that had a profound effect on the development of our social history.  Pre-colonial maritime sites such as the shell middens and fish traps that line our shores contain some of the oldest evidence in the world for the exploitation by modern humans of marine resources.  As archaeological sites, these sites contain a veritable treasure trove of information, which can throw light on a range of historical questions of both national and international importance.

Part of SAHRA’s mandate includes the management of underwater heritage, and in this area there have been a number of remarkable successes in the last four years, including the much publicised repatriation of the Dodington Gold Coins, and the rescuing from destruction of the Sybille propeller.  During this time SAHRA has also developed the infrastructure necessary to manage underwater heritage, and has identified priorities for the future management of the underwater heritage.

It is generally the case that in order to manage any resource effectively and ensure its protection and conservation, certain basic information is required by the managers.  Managers need to know where and what sites are, what their condition is, and whether they are threatened in any way.  The relatively recent growth of maritime archaeology as a scientific discipline in South Africa, and the limited capacity of SAHRA in this field up until now has meant that very little accurate information about the location of the majority of wreck sites around our coast is currently available, and little is known about the nature and status of underwater heritage sites.

SAHRA has therefore identified a need for the establishment of a National Survey of Underwater Heritage Resources which will locate and identify underwater heritage resources along the entire South African coastline, primarily as a tool for ensuring the proper management of this fragile, non-renewable resource, but also to provide information for listing in the Inventory of the National Estate.

In March 2003 SAHRA’s maritime archaeologist was notified that an application for funding to the National Lotteries Board had been successful.  SAHRA has secured a three-year funding grant to establish and commence with a National Survey which will be a major, long-term project of national significance in the area of heritage.

The proposed Survey will provide SAHRA with a tool with which to measure the true extent and range of this resource, and with which to develop the resource management strategies so clearly needed.  At the same time, this project presents a unique opportunity to initiate interactions with a wide spectrum of South Africans, many of whom have no existing knowledge of, or interest in underwater heritage. 

Knowledge is empowering, and as a true understanding of the value of this resource grows out of this project, so the positive potential of our underwater heritage will become clear, not only to contribute to nation-building and an understanding of our exciting historical diversity, but also to make a difference to people where it matters most - in the creation of jobs and other opportunities that will lead to social upliftment.

The survey will commence within the next two months, with a launch scheduled for Heritage Day – 24 September 2003.  SAHRA would like to encourage divers, fishermen, scholars and teachers, coastal communities – in fact all South Africans with an interest in historical wrecks – to become involved in this exciting project.  More information can be obtained from SAHRA’s maritime archaeologist.

Above submitted by: John Gribble, SAHRA Maritime Archaeologist,
                                Head Office, Cape Town.