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Searching for Haarlem (1647 CE):A Ship that Made History
In 1647 CE, the United Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship Haarlem wrecked in Table Bay. The events that followed had far-reaching consequences, and this incident can be regarded as the catalyst that laid the basis for the modern multi racial South Africa. Since 1989, a project is underway to search for Haarlem. The present article provides a brief overview of work undertaken to date. This has resulted in the location of a site that, based on currently available evidence, probably contains the wreck.
Keywords
Cape Town, Haarlem, Saltpans, Table Bay, United Dutch East India Company.
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