Amsterdamhoek

Amsterdamhoek and the Amsterdam Flats on the mouth of the Zwartkops river are named after the Dutch ship, Amsterdam, that struck land during a storm in 1817, whilst under the command of Captain Hofmeyer of Cape Town.

Having lost her masts and thrown much of her cargo overboard, the Amsterdam ran ashore about halfway between the Coega and Zwartkops Rivers.

On board were two hundred and seventeen (217) officers and men, of which three (3) drowned.

The cargo was a very rich one and included valuable presents from Java destined for the King of Netherlands.

Among the survivors was the widow of an officer of high rank in Batavia, named Mrs Marols, with her two (2) children. This lady and an officer named Aspeling, also of a Cape family, were landed from a boat in Algoa Bay.