SS Clan Stuart Shipwreck

About SS Clan Stuart Shipwreck

The SS Clan Stuart, a 3,500-ton British turret-deck steamer, ran aground in False Bay on 21 November 1914 after a severe South-Easter gale caused it to drag its anchor. The vessel was carrying a cargo of coal when it struck the rocks near Glencairn. Although it was later towed toward Simon's Town, the severely damaged ship was denied dry-dock entry over fears it would sink and block the harbour channel. Consequently, the captain intentionally ran the steamer aground at Mackerel Beach, where it was permanently abandoned after the engine room flooded. Today, the historic remains lie just 100 metres from the shoreline on a sandy seabed at a shallow depth of 7 to 9 metres.

The visible wreck has transformed into a popular shore dive and snorkeling site, with its massive rusted engine block still breaking the water's surface. Divers can easily explore the preserved triple-expansion steam engine framework, propeller shaft, and boilers, which now serve as an artificial reef densely populated by local marine life like octopuses, pyjama sharks, and soft corals. Because the site is located within the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, an MPA diving permit is required to explore it, and diving is best attempted when winter Westerly winds bring calm, clear conditions to the bay.