A Dutch ship found in SA, its wreck resulted in the foundation of Cape Town

A Dutch ship found in SA, its wreck resulted in the foundation of Cape Town

The remains of the Dutch ship Harlem that sank in 1647 were found in South Africa. According to researchers, this shipwreck played a dramatic role in the history of the country, as per a report made by the experts from the African Institute for Marine and Underwater Research, Exploration and Education (AIMURE). 

The researchers found parts of the ship off the coast in Cape Town at a depth of about four meters.

According to scientists, this discovery is very important for the whole country, because it was due to the disaster that occurred in the 17th century that the city of Cape Town was founded.

The sailors who survived the shipwreck lived for about a year in this area and built ties with the local population. Back to Holland they talked about favourable conditions in these parts of the world and after some time the Dutch returned to build a seaport there. It is believed that this is how the city of Cape Town appeared.