The wreck of the Thomas T Tucker

The Thomas T. Tucker was on its maiden voyage in 1942 delivering troops and supplies for the war effort. It was a foggy night on the 27 November and the ship hit rocks while sailing close to the coastline near Olifantsbos near Cape Point. It was sailing close to the coast to avoid the possibility of U-boats patrolling in the area.

The captain mistook the coastline for Robben Island. His compass was found to be just 3 degrees off correct.

The cargo of 8172 tonnes included six Sherman tanks. The ship split into three sections with the boiler higher up on the beach. Chunks of the vessel are strewn across the beach at Cape Point.

The ship also had refrigerators full of food for Christmas, turkeys, hams christmas puddings and mince pies. Most of this went to waste as the fridge doors were left open. The tanks however were removed.