174th Annual Birkenhead Memorial

The 174th annual Birkenhead Memorial at Danger Point Lighthouse, Gansbaai, on 26 February 2026, was well attended by dignitaries and military veterans. This important part of Gansbaai’s history is acknowledged with respect every year.

The day started early with a boat trip to the Birkenhead Rock where a remembrance service took place on the water directly above the shipwreck site. Handmade seaweed wreaths provided by Marine Dynamics were gently cast into the sea in memory of the brave men who lost their lives. The Birkenhead Memorial then took place at Danger Point Lighthouse. This Lighthouse ceremony is open to the public to show respect to the fallen.

Gansbaai was proud to have in attendance our VIP guest of honour, Deputy Mayor Elnora Gillion, as well as Councillors Riana de Coning, Steven Fourie and Kobus van Staden. We were privileged to have as our guest speaker, Frieda Lloyd, the Overberg District Municipality Tourism Manager. This time-honoured Memorial’s Programme Director was Johan Le Roux, our local avid historian and astro-photographer, as well as a long-time participant in this historical event. The exceptional Danger Point Lighthouse volunteer committee, as always, provided the venue support for the day. We missed John McGregor from the committee and wish him well with his health.

The event would not be the same without the participation of Reverend James Gray. Rev. Grey has played an integral part in the Birkenhead Memorial ceremony for as long as most people can remember. We are deeply grateful for his participation, bringing meaningful prayers and a vivid and detailed account of what happened that fateful day in 1852. 

A large contingent of military veterans from afar attends the event annually. We were honoured to have MOTH Ricky De Wet, the Cape Western Provincial Old Bill, conduct the MOTH prayer and credo. Thank you, veterans, for your service. Our local SA Sea Cadettes - TS Birkenhead did us proud as did our two bagpipers, Mark Robson and Ramon Allen.

Gansbaai Tourism thanks all involved in the event and a deeply grateful thank you goes to our event partner, Marine Dynamics Shark Tours and The Great White House, Gansbaai, who, every year, provide the boat trip and post memorial venue without hesitation. We are incredibly proud to be able to partner with this formidable team that honours and remembers the sinking of the Birkenhead.

THE STORY:

HMS Birkenhead was shipwrecked on 26 February 1852 off the Gansbaai coastline when they hit what is now known as the Birkenhead Rock. Of the more than 600 souls who sailed from Simonstown, only 193 survived. This shipwreck set the historic precedent of “women and children first”. Internationally since then, to this day, maritime troops have conducted what has become known as the Birkenhead Drill, embodied in the cry “Women and children first!”. We honour the brave men who put their brethren’s lives ahead of their own. Their chivalry and bravery inspires us all to be the best versions of ourselves. 

As Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics, says, “The yearly Birkenhead Commemoration is about honouring bravery and ensuring that the story is not forgotten. It is also a reminder to all of us who work at sea every day that the ocean must be respected and never misjudged for its power.”

Gone but not forgotten.