SS Clan Stuart wreck

About SS Clan Stuart wreck

The SS Clan Stuart is one of Cape Town’s most accessible and rewarding shore dives, particularly for beginners or those interested in maritime history. Resting just 100 metres off Mackerel Beach near Simon’s Town, the wreck is famously marked by its massive engine block that still protrudes from the water. The SS Clan Stuart was a 3,500-ton British "turret steamer" that ran aground in November 1914 during a fierce southeast gale. Its unique "turret" design—meant to reduce Suez Canal taxes by narrowing the deck—actually made it harder to handle in rough seas. While the hull is now broken up, you can still clearly see the triple expansion engine, boilers, and a large cast-iron propeller.