Excitement as probable remains of the Orient visible off beach

THE JAGGED remains of what is in all probability the wreck of the Orient has become clearly visible off Orient Beach, named after the stranded Russian metal vessel after it ran aground 109 years ago.

East London Museum principal scientist Kevin Cole said that since no other ship had run aground in that position, it was “logical to conclude” it was the Orient, which drew flocks of sightseers to the beachfront after she ran aground near the pier.

“I think it is interesting because we have had such a rich shipwreck history and this is a reminder of a bygone era,” said Cole.

He said there had been vast movements of sand on and off the beaches in the past weeks, exposing the wreck.

According to East London history site The Labyrinth of East London Lore compiled by the late Dr Keith Tankard, the SS Orient was a Russian vessel which called on the city in July 1907 after sailing from south Australia with a cargo of wheat.

The 1889-built full-rigged steel ship ran aground at what was then known as Sandy Beach as she was leaving the harbour in the evening.

During the night waves moved the vessel onto the shore.

In order to lighten the ship, her captain ordered her cargo be jettisoned and 400 tons of grain was poured overboard.

Although two tugs, the Annie and the Buffalo, attempted to pull the Orient to prevent her being swept onto rocks nearby, when the tide turned she started taking on water and began to list.

According to the history site, the remainder of the cargo was recovered and a temporary railway track was laid to ferry sacks of wheat to the beach. The ship was eventually sold to WJ Ellis for £130.

Cole said due to the increased incidence of “mini storm surges” off our coastline, more artifacts from various shipwrecks had been brought to shore.

These included a brass pin from the Atalaia, a Portuguese ship which ran aground in Chintsa Bay in 1647; a piece of wooden shipwreck material found in Cefani; and a shard of Ming pottery found earlier this year on Bonza Bay beach.

The pottery possibly originated from the Portuguese Santa Maria Madre de Deus which was wrecked in 1643 near Bonza Bay.

He said any shipwreck material was an archaeological artefact and protected by maritime legislation. —