“Don’t be scared of being a wreck, just be a beautiful one.”
Anonymous
(Photo: Shipwreck of the Meisho Maru 38 at the coastline at Agulhas, South Africa.)
The backstory: The coastline of Agulhas is infamous in the history of Africa for bringing many a sailor face to face with the claws of death. This place is littered with nearly over 140 shipwrecks and they each tell a story of the lives, cargo and death of the brave men and women who fought to save the ship and the lives who sailed in it. Strong ocean currents and gale force winds were the most obvious reasons for the waves to reach as high as 30 metres. This often caused the ships to splinter like toy boats on this harsh coastline with jagged rocks. Naturally, it offered a very slim chance of survival.
But, this Japanese fishing trawler—the Meisho Maru 38, which ran aground on 16 November 1982 between Suiderstrand and Cape Agulhas proved lucky as all its’ 17 crew members survived the wreck to tell their story, and so, it all ended happily for them.
Our tour guide pointed out how, over the years, the ship has actually been falling apart, with large chunks of its’ body giving way, every time there is a storm. But, it still stands tall and probably will, for another few years. And, quite proudly so, I think!
That evening as we stood by the edge of the coast, the winds lashing at our faces and nearly sweeping us off the ground, I was struck the with inexplicable brokenness of the vessel—which reminded me of how we all are a bit cracked or broken on the inside, differing only in degrees.
It is a beautiful wreck, don’t you think?
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24 Comments
Obsessivemom
It’s beautiful. I thought it was a painting or a picture. And that quote you shared is just as beautiful.
Esha MD
Thank you so much, Tulika. Glad you liked them. Actually, I like the idea, so I might even paint it someday. 🙂
Anamika Agnihotri
The shipwreck is beautiful. However, this sounds likes a dichotomy to me. The back story of the shipwreck and many others at this place sounds more interesting to me. Did you really get to see other shipwrecks around this place as well? Or were they far apart from each other?
Esha MD
Thank you, Anamika. We did see quite a few shipwrecks in the distance, pretty scattered around the area, from this particular point, as we stood in front of this wreck. The weather around here was very bad that day and we could barely hold ourselves because of the strong winds.
Modern Gypsy
It is a beautiful wreck indeed. And it reminds us that we all are also beautiful wrecks. All of us a little bit or very broken, pieced together again. Our cracks are our strength and our beauty and what makes us, us.
Esha MD
True that, Shinjini. I like the fact that we can always use our cracks to strengthen ourselves because as they say, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right?
Shubhra Rastogi
It is a beautiful wreck and has an amazing story. I agree we are all a bit cracked or broken from inside but we still stand strong. Great post!
Esha MD
Thank you very much, Shubhra. Yes, we all can relate to that bit about being broken, no? Glad you liked the post. 🙂
Roshan Radhakrishnan
It is a lovely picture. The backstory really adds to the overall effect
Esha MD
Thank you so much, Doc! Glad you enjoyed it.
Jeanna
I wonder who said that, Paris Hilton, Patsy Stone? A fun quote nonetheless. That is a good luck story and what a wreck it is, I can commiserate. Cool story and photo.
Esha MD
Thank you, Jeanna! Yes, there are very few happy stories as far as shipwrecks are concerned and I’m glad I could bring you one. Glad to know you liked it.
Rajlakshmi
The stories about shipwrecks always hit hard, specially when I think about drowing and the cold lonely death at the sea. It’s so good to know that the crew survived.
As you said, a beautiful wreck indeed.
Esha MD
Absolutely Rajlakshmi. I thought on similar lines too, when I saw the wreck! This was definitely one of the rare ones when the entire crew survived to tell their tale and the ship has been standing here as a grave reminder of the tough life at the sea!
Debbie D.
Fantastic photo, Esha! I enjoyed reading the story behind it, as well. 🙂 How wonderful the entire crew survived to tell the tale. It is indeed, a beautiful wreck. Thanks for the linkup!
Esha MD
Thank you so much, Debbie. The ship stands as a grave reminder of the perils of being in the sea and the grave reality that is part of every sailor’s life! So happy to know you enjoyed the post.
stevebethere
I am also a wreck LO, nice post 🙂
Have a wrecktastic week ➡
Esha MD
Haha…You’re not alone, Steve. We all are there too.
Thanks. Hope you had a good week. 🙂
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
I hear about shipwrecks, but I think they are from the distant past. How disconcerting it is to think of a shipwreck happening in 1982! And look at how much deterioration has occurred in such a short time.
Esha MD
Yes, there are many shipwrecks there but one can only see this one because of the proximity to the shores! The others are in the deep sea, where no one can venture. It’s been constantly lashed by the wind and foul weather!.
Natasha
Yes, beautiful like you my dear friend. The more I read your writings, the more and I grow of you. More power to you my rock solid, lady.
Thanks for sharing an awe-inspiring story. As I read your post, I felt the ship also stands strong with a steely resolve of never giving up. After all it never gave up on it’s crew members who also miraculously survived the holocaust.
Hugs and love always.
Esha MD
Oh, yes, Natz! Although this is a recent shipwreck, (from 1982!) the area which is basically accident-prone didn’t leave much of an option for the crew except to jump and save their lives, which they did, that fateful day. Yes, they didn’t give up, a bit like the two people we know! 😉
Happy to share this interesting and happy story of survival!
As always, I will say this—a very BIG Thank you for stopping by and sharing your beautiful thoughts, here, on the blog!
Mary (cactus catz)
I do agree it’s a beautiful wreck. Lucky everyone survived too.
Esha MD
Thank you, Mary. Yes, this one was lucky, thankfully!