The Shipwrecks of Namibia

On the desolate coastline of Namibia, in an area that fills with fog on cold nights, lies the infamous Skeleton Coast. It is a haunting place in every sense of the word, and it is one location that those on a Namibia tour simply have to tick off of their list of must see places.

Along this stretch, with the Atlantic Ocean lapping roughly at its shores, the Skeleton Coast has claimed both lives and ships.

Among the explorers navigating the African shoreline, this part of Namibia has gained an almost legendary status and was much feared for its unstable character and its unforgiving character.

Although at the time sailors were enjoying the benefits of the trade routes and the riches they brought with them, passing the Skeleton Coast was always a bit of a gamble. And the wrecks that lie scattered across the beach as well as those littering the ocean floor, are a testament to the bravery of those who captained these ships.

It is estimated that several thousand ships met their end on the Skeleton Coast. While some have completely disintegrated and become lost to the sands of time, a few, mostly recent shipwrecks, remain.

The shipwrecks that remain are rather beautiful and they add to the personality of the coastline. When you are on a Namibia tour, these are the three wrecks that you could see.

The Eduard Bohlen

Wrecked in 1907, the Eduard Bohlen is one of the most popular shipwrecks that you can visit. It stands out starkly against the backdrop of the Namib Desert sand dunes and is so popular because it looks as though it was wrecked in the middle of the Desert.

The Eduard Bohlen was a cargo ship from Germany and it is believed that a thick fog surrounded it while it was en route from Swakopmund to Cape Town.

In the years following its demise, the desert began to move closer and closer to the ocean, giving the illusion that the ship had been wrecked in the desert. Today, the ship sits about 500 meters from the Atlantic and to get there you will need to take a 4×4 vehicle from Walvis Bay or Luderitz and drive to the site. This is possibly best done with a Namibia tour.

The Dunedin Star

Meeting an untimely demise in 1942, the Dunedin Star has a tragic story. This ship was used to transport ammunition and supplies for the Allied army during World War 2. It left Liverpool with its cargo and 21 passengers looking to escape from London, which was being assaulted by the German bombers in 1942.

Rather than being lost in the fog, the ship hit something in the water and ended up being grounded 500 meters offshore.

All rescue efforts were in vain, as bad luck seemed to plague the rescue crew and eventually the rescue was abandoned.

Little is left of the wreck, which can be found in the north of the Skeleton Coast National Park.

The Suiderkus

Wrecked in 1976, close to Henties Bay, the Suiderkus was a fishing trawler which ran aground on her very first voyage. A large part of the ship has vanished after being battered by the forces of nature, but the hull remains and has become home to cormorants. The wreck is an amazing site for photographers and tourists alike and since it is breaking down rather fast, if you wish to see it now is the time to plan your Namibia tour.

This wreck can be found in the Skeleton Coast National Park and the easiest way to get there is to drive there.

The History of the Skeleton Coast

Skeleton Coast Namibia Tour

One of the best places to visit when you are on a Namibia tour is the haunting Skeleton Coast. This desolate place is unlike any other on Earth and your time here will stay with you forever.

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Known as the world’s largest ship cemetery, the skeleton coast is a coastal stretch of land 40km wide and 500km long.  Although this area is extremely hostile, it is a very fascinating stretch of land.  Located in the north-west of Namibia, this is where the cold Benguela current of the Atlantic Ocean meets the hot arid desert landscape. The area is known as the Skeleton Coast because of the many ship wrecks and also from the many whale carcasses that litter the coast.

Skeleton Coast Namibia Tour
Shipwreck on the Skeleton Coast

When in 1942 the Dunedin Star, a 530 foot long British liner either crashed or was taken down by a German U-boat, it took 26 days to try and rescue the passengers and crew.  This was due to the violent surf along the coast.  Its ghostly carcass can still be seen on the coast.  Many sailors have found themselves marooned on this coast and despite their effort to survive, the harsh climate and lack of water was the cause of their demise.  Human skeletons were found in the 1940’s, headless and lined in a row.  A slate was found in the area with a message that read “I am proceeding to a river 60 miles north and should anyone find this and follow me, God will help him.”  It is believed that the skeletons were remains of sailors from a ship wreck 80 years earlier.

Death is found everywhere on the skeleton coast, from whale vertebrae and seal bones to elephant ribs and turtle shells.  This is due to the rough seas, lack of water and extremely harsh climate.  Early Portuguese sailors referred to the coast as The Gates Of Hell and it was an area that the indigenous Bushmen described as The Land God Made in Anger.  Swedish explorer Charles J Anderson, after seeing the area supposedly said that death would be preferable to banishment to such a country.  This area is one of the most feared and scary places on earth.  Due to the terrible conditions and risks that come with the skeleton coast many shipping companies refuse to bring their boats close to the coast.  Fog conditions have resulted in several aircraft meeting their demise on the skeleton coast, leaving their pilots to join the unfortunate sailors that had their lives claimed by the haunted coast.  The atmospheric grey coastal fog, although other worldly in appearance, is a vital part of the ecosystem of the dry land. The reason for many ship wrecks and plane crashes also provides just enough moisture for the desert flora to survive.

Skeleton Coast Namibia Tours
The Skeleton Coast Landscape

Along with the animals that survive in this arid area, some 50 000 Himba people call this area home.  For protection from the blistering sun, the Himba people pound the Orche stone into small pieces.  These fragments are then mixed with butter over a fire and then applied to the skin.  Apart from giving the skin a slight reddish colour, it also helps to keep the skin clean and moist.