Princess Elizabeth Shipwreck
The MFV Princess Elizabeth was a wooden ship built in 1961 by Cook, Welton and Gemmel Ltd. based in Beverly, East Yorkshire. It is a much younger wreck located in the Smitswinkel Bay area on the Cape Peninsula side of False Bay. The Smitswinkel Bay is part of the cold temperate Atlantic marine ecosystem. The area is characterised by diverse marine life, including fish, invertebrates, and kelp beds. The MFV Princess Elizabeth fishing trawler was burnt following a fire incident, after which it was rendered unusable. It was subsequently donated by Irvin and Johnson, together with another much bigger trawler called Oratava, to the False Bay Conservation Society. It is today lying on its side next to the Good Hope rigate. The MFV Princess Elizabeth is the central of the five wrecks in Smitswinkel bay which have all been deliberately scuttled. All these were intentionally scuttled by the South African Navy in the early 1970s, with an aim of forming an artificial reef, providing shelter, breeding grounds, and foraging opportunities for marine species. This structure enhances biodiversity and contributes to the ecological health of the bay while offering recreational and educational opportunities.
In addition, the MFV Princess Elizabeth serves as both a historical artifact and a marine conservation tool, representing South Africa’s innovative approach to marine resource management. It provides insights into mid-20th-century fishing practices, local maritime history, and the ongoing relationship between humans and the marine environment in False Bay.
GPS Waypoints: 34°16.068'S 18°28.839'E