Here lies a tale of maritime misfortune. We are standing before the watery grave of Het Huis te Kraaienstjin. This wreck offers us a glimpse into the past. Het Huis te Kraaienstjin met its end in 1698.
Het Huis te Kraaienstjin was a Dutch ship. It was built in 1697 for the Dutch East India Company. The ship was constructed at the Zeeland Yard. It displaced 1,154 tons. Jan van de Vijver commanded Het Huis te Kraaienstjin.
The ship’s demise came on May 27, 1698. Het Huis te Kraaienstjin wrecked on the rocks at Oudekraal. Thick mist veiled the Cape Peninsula that day. The ship sought passage into Table Bay. Instead, it found disaster.
This was the maiden voyage for Het Huis te Kraaienstjin. The ship had departed from Wielingen on February 1, 1698. It carried a valuable cargo. Nineteen chests held pieces-of-eight. That’s about 57,000 coins. Legend says three chests vanished during the wreck. Locals even marked “Geldkis” or money-chest on maps of the area.
Today, the wreck is fragmented. Only remnants remain of Het Huis te Kraaienstjin. Divers can spot these relics. Look for unusual straight lines among the marine growth. Two large cannons lie at the southern end of a gap. Boulders surround them. The cannons are about 3 meters long. They are 0.4 meters in diameter. One cannon appears broken adding to the tragedy. They rest in a V formation.
A substantial mass of wood also marks the site. Reinforced rubber hoses lie nearby. Salvors left these behind. In the sandy area to the south, you can find two more cannons. An anchor from Het Huis te Kraaienstjin rests nearby. Another large iron anchor lies flat in the sand. It may be partially buried.
A large kelp forest enhances the dive site. Granite boulders provide a habitat for marine life. Shysharks, crayfish, and nudibranchs thrive here. Bream, red roman, and klipfish also frequent the area.
To navigate to the cannons, enter at Sandy Cove. Swim toward Geldkis. Keep to the left of a small cluster of rocks. After passing these rocks, swim about 30 meters behind them. Find a darkish rock with a cleft. Line yourself up so you can see through the cleft. Look to your right for a large egg-shaped rock. Swim out to sea until you see a hole at the left edge of this rock. You will be directly above the wreck site of Het Huis te Kraaienstjin.
Divers typically use 10L or 12L air cylinders here. A compass is essential for navigation. Thermal protection is crucial. The water can drop to 8 degrees Celsius. A dive light helps spot smaller critters. Underwater cameras capture the cannons and marine life.
Het Huis te Kraaienstjin is more than just a dive site. It is a historical landmark. It reminds us of the perils of the sea. The treasures lost and the stories that remain below.