History
The gale of 17 June 1722 saw 10 vessels being wrecked during a severe north-westerly gale in Table Bay, with 8 of these vessels belonging to Dutch authorities. This event saw one of the highest losses of life in the history of the Cape in a single event, with 660 casualties. Over £250,000 of goods were lost, which is a vast amount in today’s figures!
Description
The Lakenman was outward bound to the East. However, she wrecked near the Castle after she broke loose in a north-westerly gale on the night of 16/17 June. By dawn she had been washed up high and dry on Woodstock beach and one man was found to be missing.
| Master | Herman Branus |
|---|---|
| People on board | 150 |
| Length | 130 feet (39.6 m) |
| Tonnage | 600 ton (300 last) |
Status
The Lakenman's specie is known to have been salvaged but it is likely that a lot more of the vessel was salvaged since it was grounded on the beach.
References
- NL-HaNA_1.11.06.18_72_0093 Daggregister Zuid Afrika.
- Generale missiven Deel 8, 166.
- Leon Derksen, John Gribble, Lesa la Grange, Martijn Manders and Briege Williams (2023).
Dutch Shipwrecks in South African Waters: A Brief History of Sites, Stories and Archives [Unpublished].