The most dangerous place in Africa - the ships that died in the desert (7 photos)

The Skeleton Coast is a section of the Namibian coast that stretches for 500 km between the cities of Lüderitz and Swakopmund. The place is called one of the most mysterious and mysterious on earth - due to moreover, perhaps, that it is in some sense uninhabited. people here let literally "according to the order" - rarely and not all.





"Skeleton Coast" - a shipwreck

The name "Skeleton Coast" was given to this place because of a huge number of ship skeletons that are scattered around coast. Although I must say that there are enough other skeletons here - from the bones of whales thrown onto land to gnawed by hyenas seal bones. Yes, and human skeletons are simply bound to be here...

However, it was the wrecks of the ships that gave this place such name - numerous ships sank off the Skeleton Coast due to dangerous sailing conditions. The fact is that two oceanic currents, Benguela (cold Antarctic) and Agulkhas (warm course of the southwestern Indian Ocean).



The name "Skeleton Coast" was given to this place because of the skeletons of ships.

These "opposite" currents create very strong waves, which can easily crash a ship against the surrounding rocks. By the way, the most a strong storm, which was officially registered here, happened in September 1944. The wind speed then was 180 kilometers per hour.

If thick fog is added to storms and storms, then it is clear that navigation along this African coast is a very risky. Fog, by the way, is considered the result of a collision of hot desert air with cold sea air - as a result, it spreads to hundreds of kilometers inland and out to sea. Visibility minimal, and the current drags the ship to the shore ...





It sounds paradoxical, but desert lions prey on fur seals.

The name Skeleton Coast was originally attributed to a narrower plot, but now the whole desert coast of Namibia is called that, because along its entire length there are traces of shipwrecks. But on in fact, the simple idea that even if sailors from the wrecked ship did not die - they have a chance there was practically none.

It was impossible to survive in these places - no water, no food, and not the most friendly wild animals, for example, lions (by the way, it is now home to one of the last wild lion populations in Namibia). Later, when "inhabited places" appeared here, the chances for sailors appeared.



The remains of the ship Eduard Bohlen in the desert sands

So 30 people from the crew of the transport ship Eduard Bohlen, wrecked on September 5, 1909, were able to reach camps of diamond mine workers in Conception Bay - and survived. The remains of a German steamship still "decorate" these places, although already "went" into the depths of the desert for more than half a kilometer (the desert grows over ocean account).

The photographs of Eduard Bohlen are probably the most popular illustrations for stories about the Skeleton Coast. Is not last shipwreck off this coast of Namibia, of course - let's say news about a fishing trawler that ran aground here in 2008 Zeila one of the readers will probably even remember.



Looking at such a desert, it's hard to believe that the ocean is nearby.

However, modern tourists come here without fear and without fear. only for the sake of "ship skeletons". Since this area has become part of national park, then here you can see wild animals, among which are elephants, giraffes, gibbons, cheetahs, etc. Some of them are unique - the same lions and desert elephants, into whose existence in general did not believe for a long time.

And the legendary moving dunes also attract attention, which reach a height of up to 300 meters - they are considered one of the the largest in the world.



Surfer on the Skeleton Coast

Also, this deserted coast attracts surfers. due to very large waves. And even the moviegoers love this place - say, scenes from the movie "Mad Max: Fury Road" were filmed here.

On the territory of the "Skeleton Coast" you can even find a hotel - maybe not one, but this particular one (in the photo below) was built explicitly with reference to the imagesinking ships. related services too a lot: everything is as it should be - from wi-fi to trips through the desert on ATVs. You can come by car, however, there is a restriction - You can't ride them at night.



The hotel is not on the "Skeleton Coast" - the houses represent the skeletons of ships

But there are two main restrictions: firstly, it’s just not possible to to get in - you need a special permit, the number of which is limited (through local travel agencies, they say, it’s easier), and secondly, to walk all the same may not be everywhere. But certainly no crowds of people and, they say, very beautiful sunsets and sunrises.