Shipwrecks Of The Wild Coast:
A Ride Through History

While our horses traverse the Wild Coast with few difficulties, the same can’t be said of those trying to navigate the coastline by sea. The result? A coastline littered with shipwrecks - a testament to the rough seas, unpredictable weather conditions, and navigational difficulties that saw many an experienced seafarer blanch at the prospect of crossing this malevolent ocean. 

As we ride, we pass the sites of old wrecks, some marked by a ring of stones or a plaque, others unmarked and in danger of being forgotten were it not for the endless stories that circulate, each tale growing ever more elaborate with each retelling.

The Eole: A Tale of Survival and Literary Legacy

Few other shipwrecks we ride past have such controversial pasts, but some, like the Eole, have equally fascinating histories. The Eole was a French ship wrecked on 12 April 1829 after being caught in a storm. It washed up on Sandy Point, just a kilometre or two northeast of where Wavecrest Hotel now stands. 

The vessel was travelling home to Bordeaux when she got caught in a violent storm. Only eight of the 20 people onboard survived the wreck, which proved to be only the beginning of their ordeal. The first phase of their adventure saw them seeking shelter among the local Xhosa people, but it wasn’t long before they decided to seek out a more European civilization. 

Barefoot and injured, they walked for six and a half days, covering an impressive 150km that saw them travel through Butterworth - one of the few white settlements in the region - and onto Mount Coke. From there, the motley crew hopped on an ox wagon to Port Elizabeth, where they caught a boat to Cape Town. 

There they met Charles Etienne Boniface, a fellow Frenchman and prominent member of literary life in the Cape, who, upon hearing their stories, wrote a 200-page account of their experiences entitled Narrative of the Shipwreck of the French Vessel the Eole on the Coast of Kaffraria in April 1829

This narrative garnered little interest at the time of its publication and disappeared into obscurity. When it was rediscovered, it became known as a “forgotten book about a forgotten shipwreck.” The narrative was subsequently translated into English by Dr David Culpin and is now recognised as “an important contribution to existing knowledge of travel writing.

Despite it being nearly 200 years since the sinking of the Eole, the remains of the ship are still visible on the rocks beyond Wavecrest beach. Few riders will notice the pile of rusted chains nestled among the boulders, especially as they prepare for the infamous Wavecrest gallop, but there it stands as a silent testament to the ship's final moments and the harrowing journey of its survivors.

The Tragedy and Drama of the Idomene's Demise

While the Eole's tale has been immortalised in literature, many other Wild Coast wrecks are in danger of fading into obscurity. The Idomene was wrecked near Qora Mouth in 1887, is commemorated only by a simple ring of stones - a modest monument to the lives lost and a poignant reminder of the countless untold tragedies scattered along this treacherous coastline.

The Idomene, a merchant vessel transporting rice from Rangoon (now Yangon, Myanmar) to London when it tragically struck a reef off the Eastern Cape coastline. Its sturdy hull was no match for the jagged rocks beneath the surface and the following tragedy claimed not only the vessel and its valuable cargo but also the lives of 12 crew members and the ship’s captain, W. Roy. 

In the aftermath of the disaster, seven bodies were recovered from the turbulent waters and debris-strewn shore. These unfortunate souls, their journey cut short by the unforgiving coast, were laid to rest near the site of their final voyage.

Some crew members were more fortunate, and were swept to shore by what the Graham's Town Journal described as “raging waves” and “the force of a strong current.” The second mate set out to seek help and was kindly met by the under-headman, Konpani. Assistance was soon dispatched to the survivors and Konpani rallied the locals together to help an injured crew member to a nearby store, where he was attended to by the local doctor. 

According to the Journal’s report, the local Xhosa people went out of their way to show the survivors kindness and hospitality, with one even sending a boy off to buy coffee and sugar “for the white man’s breakfast.”

As most people visiting the Wild Coast will attest, this hospitality and kindness is still very much alive today.  

Although the Idomene was destroyed in the wreck, there were enough salvageable parts that it was promptly sold, fetching just over ￡30. This was considered a “very good figure” as there was “some useful timber” in amongst the wreckage.