The gale of 17 June 1722 saw 10 vessels 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!

The Namen wrecked during the violent storm in Table Bay after it was grounded by the north-westerly gale.

The site of this wreck lies underneath reclaimed land and has not yet been found.

• Leon Derksen, John Gribble, Lesa la Grange, Martijn Manders and Briege Williams (2023).
  Dutch Shipwrecks in South African Waters: A Brief History of Sites, Stores and Archives [Unpublished].