Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/RMS Athens

The dive site RMS Athens is an inshore historical wreck in the Green Point area on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Get in Access This site can be accessed from a boat or from shore. The site is about 1km from the Oceana Power Boat Club slipway at Granger Bay. Follow Beach Road from Sea Point to Mouille Point past the Green Point lighthouse. Pass Fritz Sonnenberg Road on the right and look for the car park on the left. The wreck lies a little further west. Its engine block can be seen approximately 75m out to sea. It is easiest to approach by way of the parallel gullies leading to the site Position S33°53.85’ E018°24.57’ (approximately) This site is not in a Marine Protected Area (2009). A permit is not required. Understand Name The "Royal Mail Ship Athens" was an iron steam screw barque of 739 tons, built in 1856 by Denny of Dumbarton and operated by the Union shipping company. It was wrecked between Mouille Point and Green Point on 17 May, 1865 at night after the boiler fires were extinguished by heavy seas during a north-west gale while trying to steam out of Table Bay. The ship had been lying at anchor while preparing for a voyage to Mauritius. The site can be identified by the remains of the engine-block, which is visible abive the water. The Piscataqua was wrecked at the same place. Depth Maximum depth is about 7m, average about 5m Topography Rocks form ridges and gullies. Geology: Precambrian sedimentary rocks, probably of the Tygerberg formation of the Malmesbury series. Conditions The surge can be quite strong See Marine life Features Iron wreck of historical interest. Other wrecks in the vicinity include the Piscataqua, an American ship of 890 tons, wrecked here on 19 July 1865. Photography Suggested Routes No particular route recommended. Stay safe Hazards Site specific hazards not known. Skills No special skills recommended. Equipment No special equipment recommended Back to Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!