The Clan Stuart was built on the turret deck principle, which was designed to over come the restrictions of the Suez Canal. By building the sides of the ship about ten feet higher, it meant that the vessel would have a much larger carrying capacity. However in any sort of swell it made the ship roll in a most frightening manner.
The Clan Stuart arrived in Simond’s Town on the 21 November 1914 from St. Helena and anchored in the Bay.The weather soon deteriorated, and a severe south east gale blew up which caused the Clan Stuart to drag her anchor.
Unable to put another down ,or to get the existing anchor to hold fast, she was gradually driven towards the shore where she eventually ran aground.
The Clan line directors were confident of getting her off and soon Captain Barnes of the Glasgow Salvage Company arrived with all his salvage gear. All his efforts were hampered by bad weather, and although he managed to stop most of the leaks, a heavy swell had set in which seriously damaged the ship, and undid all his work.
The crew had been on board now for four months, and in the light of the circumstances the salvor’s advised the owners to abandon the ship. They were reluctant to do this and proposed one last effort. A wooden coffer dam was built around the damaged plates.
Unfortunately when the vessel was refloated the wooden coffer dam collapsed and the engine room flooded. The ship was lost and abandoned to its fate.
Today all that is left to see are the cylinder tops lying about 50 yards offshore.
While you are here pop along to ‘ Boulders ‘ and see the famous jack ass penguins.
Russell says
Hi
Thank you for your detailed writeup on the Clan Stuart.
Can you please tell me which book/dvd you got the info from? I live right across the road from the wreck and have dived it many times.
Oddly enough, I have found no mention of it in the local newspapers from that era. There was an article in the Cape Times on November 22nd about a strong South Easterly gale that hit False Bay, but it also said no reported damage was reported. Also, for the next 3 months no mention of the ship was made in the paper.
Some are claiming the wreck happened in 1917, but I don’t have access to local newspapers in that year so I can’t verify it.
Thanks a lot
Russell
Andre says
Hi Russel.
I am from Germany and I am looking for photos and informations about that ship. Pls can you contact me ? cheers Andre, AndreKru@aol.com