Trevessa Memorial (1923)

Trevessa Memorial (1923) - The Story of One of the Indian Ocean’s Most Remarkable Survival Tales

Near the quiet coastline of Bel Ombre stands the Trevessa Memorial, commemorating the extraordinary survival story of sailors who drifted across the Indian Ocean for weeks before finally reaching the shores of Mauritius in 1923.

About the Trevessa Memorial

Located near Bel Ombre in the south of Mauritius, the Trevessa Memorial honours the survivors of the SS Trevessa, a British cargo steamer that sank in the Indian Ocean in June 1923 while travelling from Australia to South Africa carrying zinc concentrates.

After the ship rapidly took on water and sank far from land, the crew escaped aboard two small lifeboats with very limited supplies. Separated at sea and exposed to difficult weather conditions, exhaustion and dehydration, the survivors drifted across the ocean for more than three weeks before finally reaching Rodrigues and the southern coast of Mauritius.

One of the rescue boats eventually reached the pass facing Bel Ombre after nearly 25 days at sea. Local fishermen were among the first to assist the exhausted survivors when they arrived near the Batelage area on 29 June 1923. Several crew members had already perished during the ordeal, while others were taken to Bel Ombre for medical care after reaching shore.

Trevessa Memorial Key Highlights:

• Memorial dedicated to the 1923 SS Trevessa shipwreck
• Remarkable Indian Ocean survival story
• Historic connection to Bel Ombre’s coastline
• Human and maritime history of Mauritius
• Short and meaningful roadside stop
• Easy addition to southern itineraries

A Story That Made Headlines Around the World

At the time, the Trevessa tragedy became an international news story because of the incredible survival conditions faced by the crew. Their drifting period at sea was considered one of the longest ever recorded for shipwreck survivors during that era, and many viewed their survival as nothing short of miraculous.

One of the survivors, Charles Seaborn, later returned to Bel Ombre several times during his life to revisit the site where the lifeboat had finally reached land and to pay tribute to the shipmates who did not survive.

Today, the memorial serves as a reminder of this remarkable chapter of maritime history connected to the southern coast of Mauritius.

A Meaningful Stop Along the South Coast

LFor travellers interested in real historical stories, maritime heritage and lesser-known moments linked to Mauritius, the Trevessa Memorial offers a quieter but memorable stop within a southern itinerary.

While the site itself remains simple and peaceful, the story behind it adds a strong human dimension to the surrounding coastline and maritime history of the region.

The Legacy of Cecil Foster

One of the best-known survivors of the Trevessa tragedy was Master Mariner Cecil Foster, who helped keep part of the crew alive during their weeks drifting across the Indian Ocean. In 2011, his story returned to the spotlight when his restored grave in Barry, Wales, became the subject of a BBC report revisiting the remarkable survival ordeal of the Trevessa crew.

Important: Make sure to read the Visitor Code of Conduct before your visit.