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{{Short description|Bay at the north of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa}} | {{Short description|Bay at the north of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa}} | ||
{{other uses|Table Bay (disambiguation)}} | {{other uses|Table Bay (disambiguation)}} | ||
{{Use South African English|date=July | {{Use South African English|date=July 2025}} | ||
{{Infobox body of water | {{Infobox body of water | ||
| name = Table Bay | | name = Table Bay | ||
| Line 16: | Line 15: | ||
| length = | | length = | ||
| width = | | width = | ||
| area = | | area = {{convert|100|km2}}<ref name="Sabinet">{{cite journal |title=Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: an overview of its physical and ecosystem properties |url=https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA00382353_9228 |journal=Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa |volume=62 |issue=1 |pages=1–20 |date=2007 |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> | ||
| frozen = | | frozen = | ||
| islands = [[Robben Island]] | | islands = [[Robben Island]] | ||
| cities = [[Cape Town]] | | cities = [[Cape Town]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Table Bay''' ([[Afrikaans]]: ''Tafelbaai'') is a natural bay on the [[Atlantic Ocean]] | '''Table Bay''' ([[Afrikaans]]: ''Tafelbaai'') is a natural bay on the [[Atlantic Ocean]] at the northern end of the [[Cape Peninsula]], which stretches south to the [[Cape of Good Hope]]. Overlooked by [[Cape Town]], the bay is dominated by the flat-topped [[Table Mountain]], from which it takes its name. | ||
{{wide image|File:Table Bay pano from Table Mountain.jpg|700px|Table Bay, the harbour and the [[City Bowl]] from the summit of [[Table Mountain]] in 2022.}} | {{wide image|File:Table Bay pano from Table Mountain.jpg|700px|Table Bay, the harbour and the [[City Bowl]] from the summit of [[Table Mountain]] in 2022.}} | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The | ===Early European exploration=== | ||
The first European to explore the region was [[Bartolomeu Dias]], who rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488.<ref name="BritannicaDias">{{cite web |title=Bartolomeu Dias |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bartolomeu-Dias |website=Britannica |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref><ref name="SAHODias">{{cite web |title=Bartolomeu Dias |url=https://sahistory.org.za/people/bartolomeu-dias |website=South African History Online |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> The first European to anchor in the bay itself was Portuguese navigator [[António de Saldanha]] in 1503. Saldanha also made the first recorded ascent of Table Mountain.<ref name="SAHOSaldanha">{{cite web |title=António de Saldanha |url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/antonio-de-saldanha |website=South African History Online |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> The bay was subsequently named ''Aguada de Saldanha'' ("Watering-place of Saldanha").<ref name="SAHOSaldanha"/><ref name="CastleTimeline">{{cite web |title=A Timeline Of The Castle of Good Hope |url=https://castleofgoodhope.co.za/reps_pubs/ccb_annexA_Timeline-Of-Castle-of-Good-Hope.pdf |website=castleofgoodhope.co.za |access-date=2025-07-31 }}</ref> In 1601, Dutch navigator Joris van Spilbergen renamed it Table Bay.<ref name="CastleTimeline"/> | |||
Although famous for centuries as a haven for ships, the bay is a poor natural harbour, exposed to northwesterly storm waves. Many sailing ships seeking refuge in the bay during the 17th and 18th centuries were driven ashore by winter storms. | |||
===Dutch settlement and harbour construction=== | |||
Despite the poor conditions, the Dutch colonists persisted with their settlement on the shores of Table Bay, as good natural harbours are scarce along this coastline. On 6 April 1652, [[Jan van Riebeeck]] established a refreshment station at the bay for the [[Dutch East India Company]] (VOC).<ref name="SAHORiebeeck">{{cite web |title=The Arrival of Jan Van Riebeeck in the Cape – 6 April 1652 |url=https://sahistory.org.za/article/arrival-jan-van-riebeeck-cape-6-april-1652 |website=South African History Online |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> The first fortification, a small fort named the Fort of Good Hope, was built on the shoreline.<ref name="SAHODutchForts">{{cite web |title=Dutch and British coastal fortifications at the Cape of Good Hope, 1665-1829 |url=https://sahistory.org.za/place/dutch-and-british-coastal-fortifications-cape-good-hope-1665-1829 |website=South African History Online |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> The settlement grew into the city of Cape Town. | |||
Other nearby bays were considered. The best of these, [[Saldanha Bay]], lacked fresh water. [[Simon's Bay]], while well protected from westerly winter storms and swells, was more exposed to summer southeasterly storms and was difficult to access overland from Cape Town. [[Hout Bay]] was small and exposed to the prevailing southwesterly swell. | |||
Eventually, a modern harbour was built in Table Bay by a process of [[land reclamation]] and protected from storm waves by [[breakwater (structure)|breakwaters]]. Construction of the first breakwater began in 1860, with [[Prince Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha|Prince Alfred]] ceremonially tipping the first load of rocks.<ref name="GatewayGuides">{{cite web |title=A Walking Tour of the V&A Waterfront |url=https://www.gatewayguides.co.za/Downloads/Waterfront.pdf |website=gatewayguides.co.za |access-date=2025-07-31 }}</ref> This structure protected the Alfred Basin, the first part of the new harbour.<ref name="CTHeritage">{{cite web |title=Cape Town Breakwater |url=https://www.cape-town-heritage.co.za/landmark/cape-town-breakwater.html |website=Cape Town Heritage |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> The older part of this development is today called the [[Victoria & Alfred Waterfront]]. The newer, deeper part is the [[Duncan Dock]].<ref name="ArtefactsDuncan">{{cite web |title=Duncan Dock |url=https://artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=14872 |website=Artefacts.co.za |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> [[Robben Island]], where [[Nelson Mandela]] was imprisoned for decades, is in this bay. | |||
===Sliedrecht oil spill=== | |||
The bay's beaches were oiled following an accident involving the Dutch tanker Sliedrecht in November 1953. The vessel moved {{cvt|96|km}} offshore to pump out 1,000 tonnes of oil that had been fouled with seawater after the initial impact.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161508121 |title=Ship Oil Kills Fish, Penguins |date=1953-11-03 |work=Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954) |pages=8 |access-date=2020-04-22 |archive-date=2021-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321101447/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/161508121 |url-status=live }}</ref> | The bay's beaches were oiled following an accident involving the Dutch tanker Sliedrecht in November 1953. The vessel moved {{cvt|96|km}} offshore to pump out 1,000 tonnes of oil that had been fouled with seawater after the initial impact.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161508121 |title=Ship Oil Kills Fish, Penguins |date=1953-11-03 |work=Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954) |pages=8 |access-date=2020-04-22 |archive-date=2021-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321101447/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/161508121 |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
{{expand section|other oil spills - there have been several|date=October 2025}} | |||
===Shipwrecks=== | |||
{{See also|Shipwrecks of Cape Town}} | |||
==Geography== | |||
===Robben Island=== | |||
[[Robben Island]] is located in Table Bay. Geologically, it is underlain by the [[Tygerberg Formation]], which is part of the Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian [[Malmesbury Group]] of the [[Saldania Belt]].<ref name="UCTGeology">{{cite thesis |last=Belcher |first=M.P. |title=STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY OF ROBBEN ISLAND |url=https://open.uct.ac.za/items/f2e47252-cf05-4832-b9d6-e1c3cd1751ea |website=OpenUCT |date=2003 |publisher=University of Cape Town |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref> | |||
===Bathymetry=== | |||
Table Bay is a relatively shallow body of water, covering an area of approximately 100 km². It slopes gently from east to west, reaching a maximum depth of 35 m at the centre of its mouth.<ref name="Sabinet"/> | |||
The bedrock is shales, slates and sandstone of the Malmesbury group, similar in character, dip, and strike, to the exposed rocks of Robben Island and Mouille Point. The seabed comprises large areas of partly exposed bedrock and patches of fine to coarse sand.<ref name="Sabinet"/> | |||
===Navigational hazards=== | |||
*Whale Rock: The site of several shipwrecks and groundings. | |||
*Green Point: The site of several shipwrecks and groundings. | |||
==Image gallery== | ==Image gallery== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File: | File:Anonymous The Noord-Nieuwland in Table Bay, 1762.jpg|[[Netherlands|Dutch]] ships off Table Bay in 1763 | ||
File:Pieter van der Aa Cape of Good Hope.jpg|Looking over sailing ships in Table Bay in 1727 with [[Table Mountain]] in the background | File:Pieter van der Aa Cape of Good Hope.jpg|Looking over sailing ships in Table Bay in 1727 with [[Table Mountain]] in the background | ||
File:Cape Town & Table Bay 1882.jpg|Map of Table Bay (1882) | File:Cape Town & Table Bay 1882.jpg|Map of Table Bay (1882) | ||
| Line 43: | Line 69: | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* | *{{annotated link|False Bay}} | ||
* | *{{annotated link|Port of Cape Town}} | ||
*{{annotated link|Cape Peninsula}} | |||
*{{annotated link|Robben Island}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 12:35, 13 October 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "other uses". Template:Use South African English Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Infobox body of water tracking".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Table Bay (Afrikaans: Tafelbaai) is a natural bay on the Atlantic Ocean at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula, which stretches south to the Cape of Good Hope. Overlooked by Cape Town, the bay is dominated by the flat-topped Table Mountain, from which it takes its name. Script error: No such module "wide image".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
History
Early European exploration
The first European to explore the region was Bartolomeu Dias, who rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488.[1][2] The first European to anchor in the bay itself was Portuguese navigator António de Saldanha in 1503. Saldanha also made the first recorded ascent of Table Mountain.[3] The bay was subsequently named Aguada de Saldanha ("Watering-place of Saldanha").[3][4] In 1601, Dutch navigator Joris van Spilbergen renamed it Table Bay.[4]
Although famous for centuries as a haven for ships, the bay is a poor natural harbour, exposed to northwesterly storm waves. Many sailing ships seeking refuge in the bay during the 17th and 18th centuries were driven ashore by winter storms.
Dutch settlement and harbour construction
Despite the poor conditions, the Dutch colonists persisted with their settlement on the shores of Table Bay, as good natural harbours are scarce along this coastline. On 6 April 1652, Jan van Riebeeck established a refreshment station at the bay for the Dutch East India Company (VOC).[5] The first fortification, a small fort named the Fort of Good Hope, was built on the shoreline.[6] The settlement grew into the city of Cape Town.
Other nearby bays were considered. The best of these, Saldanha Bay, lacked fresh water. Simon's Bay, while well protected from westerly winter storms and swells, was more exposed to summer southeasterly storms and was difficult to access overland from Cape Town. Hout Bay was small and exposed to the prevailing southwesterly swell.
Eventually, a modern harbour was built in Table Bay by a process of land reclamation and protected from storm waves by breakwaters. Construction of the first breakwater began in 1860, with Prince Alfred ceremonially tipping the first load of rocks.[7] This structure protected the Alfred Basin, the first part of the new harbour.[8] The older part of this development is today called the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The newer, deeper part is the Duncan Dock.[9] Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades, is in this bay.
Sliedrecht oil spill
The bay's beaches were oiled following an accident involving the Dutch tanker Sliedrecht in November 1953. The vessel moved Template:Cvt offshore to pump out 1,000 tonnes of oil that had been fouled with seawater after the initial impact.[10] Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Shipwrecks
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Geography
Robben Island
Robben Island is located in Table Bay. Geologically, it is underlain by the Tygerberg Formation, which is part of the Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian Malmesbury Group of the Saldania Belt.[11]
Bathymetry
Table Bay is a relatively shallow body of water, covering an area of approximately 100 km². It slopes gently from east to west, reaching a maximum depth of 35 m at the centre of its mouth.[12]
The bedrock is shales, slates and sandstone of the Malmesbury group, similar in character, dip, and strike, to the exposed rocks of Robben Island and Mouille Point. The seabed comprises large areas of partly exposed bedrock and patches of fine to coarse sand.[12]
- Whale Rock: The site of several shipwrecks and groundings.
- Green Point: The site of several shipwrecks and groundings.
Image gallery
-
Dutch ships off Table Bay in 1763
-
Looking over sailing ships in Table Bay in 1727 with Table Mountain in the background
-
Map of Table Bay (1882)
-
Map of the Docks and Infrastructure (1884)
-
Cape Town from space, looking south over False Bay with Hangklip Point (top left), Cape Point (top right) and Table Bay south and east of the clearly visible, circular Robben Island, February 1995.
-
Synthetic perspective with 2× exaggerated elevation, from satellite elevation and image data. Looking east over Cape Peninsula and False Bay (behind) with Robben Island (front left), Table Mountain (centre front) and Cape Point (front right).
-
Sketch of Cape Town from the East India Company Ship Defense, en route from the Downs to Bombay, anchored in Table Bay on January 24, 1739.
_p0707_TABLE_BAY.jpg){kind=link}
See also
References
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