The wreck of the supply ship Smit-Lloyd 102 has almost certainly been found after 51 years off the coast of South Africa. That reports the Telegraph. There were seven Dutchmen on board, five of whom did not survive the disaster. Among them Henk Roeterdink from Gorssel and the captain of the ship, Take Dragt from Harderwijk.
The ship was wrecked in a flying storm with wind speeds of 100 kilometers per hour and waves of 6 to 9 meters high. The Smit-Lloyd 102 made water and capsized. Two people on board were able to board a life raft and survived the disaster. The bodies of the five victims were never found.
Scott-Williams director of towage and salvage company Bridge Maritime says in the Telegraph that his people accidentally stumbled upon a wreck 63 kilometers off the coast of Cape St. Francis. It lies at a depth of 90 meters. “We are 95 percent sure that we have found the Smit-Lloyd 102.”
The ship is more than 300 kilometers from where it capsized. According to the South African salvage company, this is not surprising, because there was a heavy storm and the current is particularly strong.
It is almost certain that it concerns the Smit Lloyd 102, say the recovery companies. Sonar images show that the size of the ship corresponds to the dimensions of the supply ship. Furthermore, there are no reports of other sunken ships in the area. There are no plans to lift the ship.
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