SS: British Settler Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A slight stroll to this cache that forms part of the Shipwreck Series. For the series methodology and more info visit SS: Shipwreck Series via the related web page link.
The British Settler was a 73 ton iron schooner built in 1844 in Britain for the Kowie Shipping Company. Her demise was either a fire on board caused by spontaneous combustion of wool or a strong north-east gale.
On the 10th June the Field Cornet, Mr. Laubscher, arrived at Jacobs Bay. He found two masts with sails and rigging, 17 water casks, several broken cases , and dozens of bales of wool. Further down the coast were the bodies of a woman and child.
The Cape Almanac of 17 June 1852 reports as follows: Received intelligence of the total loss of a vessel in Jacob's Bay. The dead bodies of a woman and child have been washed up, and from the register ticket belonging to one of the unfortunate crew, which was picked up, it appears that the ill-fated vessel was the iron steamer British Settler, 73 tons, Captain W.A. Train, which sailed from Table Bay on 29th May bound to London with a cargo of wool from the Kowie River. There is no doubt all aboard perished. Captain Train was an experienced seaman who had held other commands before accepting the British Settler, and made numerous voyages along the coast, entering and leaving the difficult Kowie harbour safely. It was thus ironic that his vessel should be lost on the open sea.
It was the seaman's ticket in the name of Robert Hammond that proved conclusive evidence that the ship was the British Settler for he had signed on in Cape Town when the ship had called for stores. The lost of the ship was a crippling blow for the Kowie Shipping Company and led to its closure.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ghpxrq haqre gur onpx bs gur ynetre ebpx