Lost Treasures of Southern Africa’s Shipwrecks

Southern Africa’s coastline, a treacherous meeting point of powerful currents and unpredictable weather, has been the graveyard of countless ships over the past five centuries. These maritime disasters, coupled with tales of pirate hoards and buried riches, have woven a rich tapestry of legends and lore, fueling treasure hunts and captivating imaginations for generations. While some fortunes have been recovered, the vast majority remain lost, submerged beneath the waves or hidden in the landscape, waiting to be rediscovered.

A Graveyard of Ships:

The 16th and 17th centuries witnessed a surge in maritime activity around the Cape of Good Hope as European powers established trade routes to the East. The Portuguese, Dutch, and British East India Companies, among others, sent heavily laden ships around the African coast, carrying valuable cargoes of spices, silks, precious metals, and gemstones. However, this perilous journey was fraught with danger. Storms, navigational errors, and treacherous reefs claimed numerous vessels, scattering their treasures across the seabed. Records indicate that the Portuguese alone lost approximately 130 ships on the India route between the mid-16th and mid-17th centuries, many along the unforgiving African coast.

The Shadow of Pirates:

Adding to the allure of lost treasure are the tales of pirates who frequented the waters off East Africa and Madagascar. These seafaring outlaws often careened their ships on secluded islands for repairs, and rumors persist of hidden caches of loot buried along the coast. While concrete evidence of large pirate hoards remains scarce, the romantic image of buried treasure continues to fuel speculation.

The Dutch East India Company’s Strict Stance:

During the Dutch East India Company’s rule at the Cape, strict measures were in place to prevent looting of shipwrecks. Drums were used to warn the populace against scavenging, and gallows were erected on the beaches as a stark deterrent. Today, regulated salvage operations are conducted under permit from the Department of Customs, with customs duty and a royalty payable to the government on any finds. Many wrecks are also privately owned, having been purchased from insurance underwriters.

Notable Shipwrecks and Their Lost Treasures:

• The Sao Thome (1589): This Portuguese vessel met its end on the Tongaland coast, carrying what contemporary accounts described as “riches and merchandise almost beyond computation.” Though its precise location remains unknown, occasional discoveries of beads, coins, and jewelry along the shore hint at the vast treasure still lying beneath the waves.
• The Santo Alberto (1593): Wrecked near the Umtata River mouth, this ship also carried a significant cargo of valuables. Like the Sao Thome, its exact location remains a mystery, with only sporadic finds of artifacts offering tantalizing clues.
• The Meresteyn (1702): This Dutch East Indiaman sank off Jutten Island in Saldanha Bay. While no cargo manifest survives, it is known to have carried substantial treasure. Although some artifacts and coins have been recovered over time, substantial portions of its cargo remain lost in deep, turbulent waters.
• The De Gouden Buys (1697): After a disastrous voyage, this Dutch vessel was wrecked north of St. Helena Bay. While most of its cargo was salvaged, the yacht Dageraad, carrying some of the recovered treasure, sank off Robben Island, leaving some of the specie lost at sea.
• The Het Huis te Crayenstein (1698): Wrecked near Cape Town, this ship lost three of its nineteen money chests. While salvage operations recovered most of the treasure, these three chests continue to elude discovery.
• The Grosvenor (1782): This English East Indiaman was wrecked off the Pondoland coast, sparking enduring legends of a vast treasure. While its official cargo consisted primarily of perishables, many passengers carried personal fortunes in diamonds and coinage. The discovery of non-South African diamonds near the Kei River in 1927 has fueled speculation that they originated from the Grosvenor.
• The Birkenhead (1852): This iron paddle-wheel frigate struck a rock near Danger Point. Despite efforts, the ship’s money chests and a chest lost in the surf were never recovered.
• The Dorothea (1898): This American barque, wrecked near Lake St. Lucia, was rumored to be carrying a large quantity of stolen gold from the Rand mines. Despite numerous attempts, the alleged treasure has never been found.

Beyond Shipwrecks: Buried Riches and Lost Mines:

The search for treasure in Southern Africa extends beyond shipwrecks. Legends of buried riches, such as Lobengula’s hoard of gold, diamonds, and ivory, and tales of lost diamond mines like the “Bushman’s Paradise,” continue to intrigue treasure hunters. Stories of gold bullion hidden during the Second Anglo-Boer War, including the mythical “Kruger Millions,” also persist.

A Continuing Quest:

The allure of lost treasure in Southern Africa remains strong. While some discoveries have been made, countless fortunes are believed to remain hidden, awaiting rediscovery. These tales of shipwrecks, pirate loot, and buried riches continue to fuel the imaginations of adventurers and historians alike, ensuring that the search for Southern Africa’s sunken fortunes will continue for generations to come.