Namibia
The Skeleton Coast
Trawler Zelia came to grief in November 2014 near `Die Walle`, a popular fishing spot about 14km south of Henties Bay.
Introduction
The notorious Skeleton Coast incorporates the northern stretch of the Atlantic coast of Namibia south of Angola, from the Kunene River south to the Swakop River, although the name is sometimes used to describe the entire Namib Desert coast. The Bushmen of the Namibian interior called the region `The Land God Made in Anger`, while Portuguese sailors once referred to it as `The Gates of Hell`.
The name Skeleton Coast was coined by John Henry Marsh as the title for the book he wrote chronicling the shipwreck of the MV Dunedin Star. This Blue Star Line steamship came to grief in late November 1942 when she struck an uncharted sandbank and her captain elected to run her aground in an effort to save lives and preserve her valuable cargo of munitions. The subsequent rescue operation turned into an epic tale and this shipwreck is just one of many covered in the excellent Swakopmund Museum.
The Namibian section of coast stretches for hundreds of miles along country`s western edge and bears the full brunt of the pounding Atlantic surf and frequent storms. The heavy seas, constantly changing ocean floor and dense, persistent fog banks have claimed the lives of countless mariners over the centuries and it had been a well-known `ships` graveyard` long before Marsh`s book was first published in 1944. Thanks to the author, the name Skeleton Coast has since been adopted world-wide and even official maps now refer to the geographical feature by this title.
The name Skeleton Coast was coined by John Henry Marsh as the title for the book he wrote chronicling the shipwreck of the MV Dunedin Star. This Blue Star Line steamship came to grief in late November 1942 when she struck an uncharted sandbank and her captain elected to run her aground in an effort to save lives and preserve her valuable cargo of munitions. The subsequent rescue operation turned into an epic tale and this shipwreck is just one of many covered in the excellent Swakopmund Museum.
The Namibian section of coast stretches for hundreds of miles along country`s western edge and bears the full brunt of the pounding Atlantic surf and frequent storms. The heavy seas, constantly changing ocean floor and dense, persistent fog banks have claimed the lives of countless mariners over the centuries and it had been a well-known `ships` graveyard` long before Marsh`s book was first published in 1944. Thanks to the author, the name Skeleton Coast has since been adopted world-wide and even official maps now refer to the geographical feature by this title.
Even nowadays it`s still possible to uncover a relic from one of the ancient sailing ships that came to grief here and the museum at Swakopmund, Namibia`s only real coastal resort and the country`s adventure capital, has several such items on display as well as a replica of the cross erected by Portuguese explorer Diego Cão when he made landfall in 1486, at a place now known as Cape Cross. He was the first European to reach this far south on the west coast of Africa. Much of the land beyond where he came ashore is extremely remote and access is restricted. Consequently, only those on an organised fly-in safari can visit coastal areas of Damaraland and Kaokoveld in the north of Namibia.
Walvis Bay, sometimes referred to as Walfish Bay, lies 30 km south of Swakopmund, just beyond the southern tip of the actual Skeleton Coast, and the town`s natural deepwater harbour, protected by the Pelican Point sand spit, is the only safe haven for larger vessels along the whole length of the Namibian coast. Due to mass concentrations of plankton and marine life, large numbers of southern right whales gathered in these waters and were eventually hunted on a grand scale.
Nowadays the town, with its large bay and sand dunes, is an important tourist centre. Although the largest concentration of Cape Fur Seals on the Skeleton Coast is further north at Cape Cross, thousands of these animals favour Pelican Point which can be visited on a wildlife viewing cruise from Walvis Bay. A popular alternative to the catamaran and yacht cruises are the kayak trips offered by a couple of specialist operators. They take place in the mornings only, when winds are light and the seas generally calm. Visitors are driven to the Point by Land Rover and paddle among the seals, experiencing unbeatable views as the curious animals swim alongside.
Nowadays the town, with its large bay and sand dunes, is an important tourist centre. Although the largest concentration of Cape Fur Seals on the Skeleton Coast is further north at Cape Cross, thousands of these animals favour Pelican Point which can be visited on a wildlife viewing cruise from Walvis Bay. A popular alternative to the catamaran and yacht cruises are the kayak trips offered by a couple of specialist operators. They take place in the mornings only, when winds are light and the seas generally calm. Visitors are driven to the Point by Land Rover and paddle among the seals, experiencing unbeatable views as the curious animals swim alongside.
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