In July 1977, these two derelict tankers were under tow by the small Japanese tug the Kiyo Maru 2, on their way from Greece to the scrapyards in the Far East. The tug made an unscheduled stop in Abijan ( North Africa ) because of some minor engine trouble, but all then went well untill the convoy approached Table Bay in the teeth of a North Westerly gale. The Port Captain at Cape Town advised them not to enter Table Bay as he thought the weather was worsening and he was worried that the two tankers would not have enough sea room.
The wreck of the Antipolis
Durring the afternoon, as the tug approached Robben Island with the gale now blowing harder than ever, the rope between the Antipolis and the tug snagged on the sea bed. All attempts to free it failed, and whilst the crew was busy with that task, the Romelia surged ahead of the tug taking its tow rope underneath the tugs hull.
Fearing for his props, the Tug Master could only watch in horror as the Antipolis finally broke her tow rope and became cast adrift. Meanwhile the tug was still firmly anchored to the bottom and the Captain had to order the crew to cut through the towing hawser with a gas torch so as to release his tug.
The Romelia aground with the tug alongside
Whilst all this was going on, the Romelia then parted her tow rope and happily sped towards the waiting shore. The Antipolis ended up driven ashore by fifty knot winds at Oudekraal on the Cape Peninsula, and the Romelia was cast ashore on Sunset Rocks, in the pretty Llandudno Bay a few hundred yards away.She finally broke her back and sunk in two halves.
Today the skeleton of the Antipolis can still be clearly seen at low tide and has become a very popular shore dive.The Romelia broke up quite a bit more ,but even now you can see her rusting stern section silhouetted against the skyline still held fast on Sunset Rocks.
Directions to the Wreck
Drive out of Cape Town towards Hout Bay along the coastal, Victoria highway (M6). It is a stunning drive past the pretty beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay.
Mid way between Bakoven and Llandudno is Oudekraal where there is a large lay by, with an information plaque telling you that it is here that the wreck of the Antipolis lies. At the week end there are scores of cars containing divers and their equipiment, because the wreck is a very popular shore dive.
Just showing at low tide
You can see the remains of the wreck quite clearly, its bow ribs are almost on the shore, and a bit further out, a boiler shows at low tide.
Another view from the top of Table Mountain taken in 1978 by Stan Cooke
Just a little further along is the beautiful village of Llandudno nestling in its own tiny bay. it is a very steep drive down, and if you want to see the sunset over Sunset rocks, then the lay by just at the top gives a superb view. The stern of the Romelia is just visible at low tide. But it is the wonderful red glow on the rocks that really takes the eye.
Romelia on Sunset Rocks
After the sunset, go back to Camps Bay and have a smashing fish meal in one of the many lively bars or restaurants, and watch the last of the sun sparking off Table Mountain.
A great day out.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
The photo of the wreck of the Romelia from the back is not a Tug alongside, but the forward part of the ship. I know, I was there as a young boy. The ship broke in two and then was floating in two pieces as one length. A few days later another storm battered the Cape Coast and swung the bow section alongside the stern and broke the bow up. During the same storm another ship ran aground with the Romelia and Antipolis. It was a Taiwanese Trawler and ran aground right in front of the old power station that was in Paarden Island. It ran aground on a sandbank and was refloated a couple of weeks later during the next spring tide. The name of the vesel was the Kuai no. 12
The stern of the Romelia has also long since disappeared under the ocean. I dived the wreck a few times in the early 90’s but she is nog gone.
A couple of years ago, we went diving on the romelia, when it was still showing and emerged out of the water. Now that the wreck has finally perforated along the edges and sunken into its self, is the wreck still diveable? I would still like to dive it and if you knew of an entrance to the wreck, please give me a call on 072 854 2224