KALK BAY, Saturday.
One of the most exciting maritime incidents witnessed upon the False Bay coast for some considerable time occurred this morning, when the iron steam trawler Rex, whilst lying at anchor off Kalk Bay, was overtaken by a violent south-easterly gale and driven helplessly upon the rocks, where she now lies a complete wreck.
The vessel, which forms one of the fleet of modern steam trawlers engaged in the rapidly increasing fishing industry of the Cape, had but recently completed her preparations for a voyage to England. Before finally proceeding to sea it became necessary to replenish her supply of ice from the cold-storage establishment at Kalk Bay, and for this purpose she rode quietly at anchor within what was then deemed a place of comparative shelter.
Shortly after the morning’s operations had commenced the weather underwent a sudden and most unwelcome change. The notorious “black south-easter,” whose violence is familiar to every master navigating these waters, descended upon the bay with extraordinary force, raising a steep and turbulent sea and sending heavy squalls sweeping along the coast.
For a time it was hoped that the Rex would ride out the gale. Those watching from the shore, however, soon perceived that her anchor was dragging. Inch by inch the unfortunate vessel was forced towards the rocky shoreline, despite every endeavour on board to arrest her drift. The engines were brought into service in an effort to relieve the strain, but the combined force of wind and sea rendered all efforts unavailing.
Amid scenes of the greatest excitement the trawler struck heavily upon the rocks, the impact being plainly audible from the shore. Almost immediately she was observed to settle, having evidently sustained serious injury to her bottom. The sea, breaking with tremendous violence over the vessel, rendered any further attempt to save her impossible.
The master thereupon ordered the vessel to be abandoned.
A considerable number of residents, fishermen, and visitors had by this time assembled upon the beach and surrounding heights, watching the proceedings with the keenest anxiety. Happily, the work of bringing the crew ashore was successfully accomplished, and all ten men landed without the loss of a single life, a circumstance regarded by all present as little short of providential, having regard to the dangerous condition of the sea.
Throughout the afternoon the unfortunate vessel has remained firmly embedded upon the rocks, every succeeding wave increasing the damage already sustained. Experienced seafaring men entertain but slight hope that she can ever again be floated, and it is generally believed that she must be regarded as a total loss. Should the weather moderate, efforts will doubtless be made to recover such portions of her machinery, fittings, and stores as may yet be accessible.
This casualty affords another melancholy illustration of the dangers attending navigation in False Bay whenever the south-easter blows with exceptional violence. Many stout vessels have already succumbed to the fury of these gales, and the exposed nature of the Kalk Bay anchorage has once more been painfully demonstrated.
The wreck of the Rex, lying within a stone’s throw of the shore, will doubtless attract much attention from visitors during the coming days, while mariners throughout the Colony will read with renewed respect another chapter in the long and often melancholy record of ships overcome by the relentless winds of the Cape.
