Antipolis: Cape Town shipwreck washed ashore

A famous Cape Town shipwreck washed up on shore on Friday, 21 January after being battered by increased wind and tide activity.

The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate said the remains of the Antipolis wreck washed ashore at 12 Apostles on Friday, 21 January. The Antipolis, a Greek Tanker built in 1959, ran aground at Oudekraal in 1977.

ANTIPOLIS SHIPWRECK AT 12 APOSTLES

The Antipolis, along with the Romelia, are two of the most well-known shipwrecks in Cape Town because they are visible to onlookers under the right conditions.

Both ships were being towed by a tug boat – from Greece to the Far East – in July 1977. When the convoy approached Table Bay it was caught by incredibly strong gale force winds.

The Antipolis’ tow rope broke and the cast adrift tanker was blown to shore at Oudekraal where it crashed into a reef and became partially submerged. The wreck has become a popular shore dive and it was quite visible at low tide.

The gale-force wind resulted in the Tug boat getting stuck underneath the Romelia, while the Antopis broke loose and blew to shore. To prevent catastrophe, the Captain ordered his crew to cut through the towing hawser that tied the Romelia to the Tug boat with a gas torch.

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Once it was unburdened, the Romelia was also blown towards the shore. It was cast ashore at Sunset Rocks, Llandudno. According to Submerged, the tanker broke its back and sunk in two halves. The Romelia is not as visible as the Antipolis.

The City of Cape Town said the remains of the Antipolis wreck washed up at 12 Apostles because of increased wave and wind activity after the full moon on Wednesday.

By: Storm Simpson