SS Maori (1893)

The SS Maori was a British passenger and cargo steamship built in 1893 by Harland and Wolff in Belfast for the Shaw, Savill & Albion Line. She operated primarily on routes between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, carrying passengers, mail, and frozen meat.

The Maori was a significant vessel in the era of steam-powered ocean liners, contributing to the expansion of trade and passenger travel between Britain and its colonies. She was equipped with refrigeration technology that was crucial for the burgeoning frozen meat trade from New Zealand.

Tragically, the SS Maori was wrecked on the coast of South Africa on August 4, 1909, near Duiker Point (now part of the Table Mountain National Park), Cape Town. She struck a submerged rock in thick fog and sank quickly. There was a significant loss of life, with approximately 32 people reported to have perished.

The wreck of the SS Maori remains a notable shipwreck site, often visited by divers. It is a protected historical site due to its age and the historical significance of the vessel. Artifacts recovered from the wreck have provided insights into maritime technology and passenger life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.