British shipwreck surfaces in receding Sungai Pahang 205 years later

The slowly-receding Sungai Pahang brought by the El Nino phenomenon has revealed secrets that more than hundred years of well-kept secrets, including some iron objects believed to be from a shipwreck.

The shipwreck, believed to be a British merchant ship, could be seen near Kampong Tanjung in Paloh Hinai here, where it sank around 1811.

Local residents realised that the shipwreck had surfaced prominently, about two weeks ago when some were out looking for shellfish in the area.

Since the discovery, the area became an attraction for locals as well as those from nearby villages.

Paloh Hinai village development and security committee chairman, Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman told the locals not to miss on the opportunity to take a look at the shipwreck.

“Usually, we don’t see this. As the dry season closes in, the water in the river started to recede where we can clearly see the shipwreck. Some of us even went very close to it,” he said.

He added that he welcomed the state government or the museum to view the 30-metre shipwreck and turn it into a state treasure or research.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Abdullah, 84, said the old folks tale around the area was the merchant ship was headed to Lipis from Kuala Pahang ferrying rice, salt and sugar.

The ship apparently stopped in the area during the night despite being told by locals that the area was unsuitable for layovers.

The move led to the incident where the ship sank, but all 20 people onboard were rescued.