Keeper of the Bluff Light: Thomas Alfred Gadsden in Natal

For a new article, Keeper of the Bluff Light, on a permanent page on this blog, follow the link below:

molegenealogy.blogspot.com/p/keeper-of-bluff-light.html

Opening of the Bluff Lighthouse

Souvenir Saturday: Shrubsole in Natal: a marine artist at work

Entrance to the Bay of Natal with mail liner approaching:
artist C J Shrubsole

While much about this artist remains obscure, it is known that Shrubsole arrived in Natal (on at least one occasion) aboard the Conway Castle on 8 March 1892. In the passenger list his initials are given as 'C.J.' (possibly an illegible 'T'?) and his age as 25, his occupation "Draughtsman". He travelled 3rd Class. In the column usually reserved for employers or 'sureties' for the incoming passenger, is the name O. ORMSKOLD, Marburg - one of the Norwegian families which settled in that area of the Natal South Coast. 

It may be that this was the start of Shrubsole's career in Natal and presumably his interest in painting marine views of the port began at that time. Though early attempts were amateurish (the ships endearingly wobbly and the Bluff varying considerably in shape from painting to painting) he gradually honed his skills and by the period 1915 to 1925 was producing consistent work in his own recognisable style, often repeating the Bay Entrance as his subject. His 'signature' was a small red-turbanned figure - either seen as an Indian fisherman as in the painting shown above, or in his few landscape works, an African figure in a red headdress. 

Four of his marine views are reproduced in Nigel Hughes' wonderful volume Paintings of the Bay of Natal (published privately Johannesburg 2001). Some of Shrubsole's works are held in the collection of the Old Court House Museum, Aliwal St, Durban and are displayed at the latter's satellite museum, the Old House in St Andrews Street. Included are some intriguing moonlight views of the Bay.

Enquiries to the SHRUBSALL/SHRUBSOLE and variants One Name Study have so far elicited no confirmation of the artist's origins or parentage, nor is it known when he first arrived in South Africa though his employment with Ormskold at Marburg may be significant. Any further information on Shrubsole would be most welcome.

A landscape by Shrubsole recently offered for auction by Clarke's Africana. Note the African figure with signature red headdress. This painting probably dates from the period 1915-1925. Is this the Cape or Natal? 

Eudora passenger list to Natal September 1864

EUDORA Natal Government Gazette 22 September 1864
Immigration Board

It is hereby notified for the information of those whom it may concern, that the following Emmigrants have arrived by the Eudora:-

Brown, Elizabeth - Servant
Brooks, Charles - Carpenter
Brooks, Elizabeth
Brooks, James
Brooks, Elizabeth
Barret, Christian - Domestic Servant
Crocket, Janet - Dressmaker
Craig, John - Storekeeper
Donoghue, Thomas - Farm Laborer
Elliott, Susan H - Dressmaker
Edwards, Elizabeth - Servant
Evans, Richard - Laborer
Fahy, Thomas- Tailor
Flemming, William - Laborer
Flemming, Elizabeth
Flemming, William
Flemming, John
Gove, John - Blacksmith
Garson, David - Blacksmith
Gold, William - Ploughman
Gold, Mary
Hind, Mary - Dressmaker
Johnstone, William - Clerk
Johnstone, Marion
Johnstone, Isabella
Johnstone, Jessie
Johnstone, Helen
Kane, Patrick - Laborer
MacPhail, Dugald - Shopkeeper
Munro, Donald - Carpenter
Munro, George
Noble, Halliburton - Apothecary
Noble, James - Plumber
Noble, Mary
Noble, Anne
Graham, Agnes - Servant
Plowright, John D - Shoemaker
Plowright, Louisa
Plowright, James
Rogers, George - Mason
Speight, Annie - Servant
Steele, Alexander - Carpenter
Steele, Jessie
Samways, Sarah - Domestic Servant
Sinclair, Duncan - Shepherd
Sinclair, Margaret
Sinclair, Archibald
Sinclair, Donald
Sinclair, Sarah
Taylor, John - Blacksmith
Thomson, Jessie - Servant
Thomson, William
Tweedie, Jane - Wife
Tweedie, Elizabeth
Tweedie, Anne
Tweedie, Robert
Tweedie, John
Tweedie, Joanna
Woolridge, William - Blacksmith
Woolridge, Mary
Woolridge, WH
O'Conner, Cath
Lucas, Emily
JAMES CRAW, Secretary Immigration Board Sept 22, 1864

Maritime Adventures of the Anglo-Zulu War 1879

After the battle of Isandhlwana 1879 British reinforcements were urgently required in South Africa but there was as yet no cable communication between England and the Cape (this was established in 1880) by which news of the catastrophic defeat by the Zulus could be sent immediately to Britain.

One of Donald Currie's steamers, the Dunrobin Castle was about to leave Table Bay on her homeward run and her planned departure was put forward so that she sailed at 7.30 p.m., 27 January 1879, headed at full speed for St. Vincent, which was then the limit of the Western Telegraph. From there the news of Isandhlwana was cabled to London, its publication causing a sensation on 11 February.

This voyage of the Dunrobin was turned to good account by Currie, who subsequently instructed that another of the Castle steamers, the Conway Castle which was then outward bound, should also put in at St Vincent. By the time the vessel reached St Vincent, the military authorities had been informed and the Conway was able to pick up dispatches with the latest information about the many reinforcements about to leave for South Africa. This news being directly transmitted to the forces in Natal had a major impact on the course of the war. The garrison which was besieged at Eshowe was deterred from making the planned desperate attempt to break out and fight its way through the Zulu lines to the Tugela River. It was as a result of the services rendered by Donald Currie in connection with the war that the head of the Castle Line was later given a knighthood.

R.M.S. Dunrobin Castle

Currie's opposition, the Union Line, also played its part in the conflict. The Pretoria had returned to England after her first voyage when news of Isandhlwana reached London. The vessel was immediately taken into dry-dock, where alterations were carried out so that she could carry troops. A new propeller was fitted, and coal and stores taken on board - all in the remarkably short space of nine days. On 20 February she set out for Natal, carrying the 91st Highlanders (Princess Louise's Argyllshire Highlanders), and making the run in the record time of 24 days 8 hours. The landing of the Kilties is said to have given rise to a perception among the Zulus that the British were sending women to fight. 

R.M.S. Pretoria

Underlining the rivalry between the two great steamer companies, Captain WC Crutchley relates in his autobiography My Life at Sea (published London 1912) how the coaster African on which he was serving was in Table Bay at the crucial moment. Crutchley was at his club in Cape Town late one night in January 1879, when the rumour was received of a British defeat at Isandhlwana. The captain realised that troops then in Cape Town would be required post-haste at the front, and also knew that Currie steamers were in port and would, if given the chance, convey the necessary reinforcements to Natal. The Union Company offices were closed at that time of night, there was of course no telephone and it was impossible to contact any of the company's officials. Crutchley, undeterred, took it upon himself to go to Government House and the Castle, offering the services of his vessel in transporting troops. The African was made ready and troops embarked within hours for Port Natal. Arriving a few days later, the coaster landed the reinforcements and also her own 12-pounder, which was later used in the defence of the Pinetown laager outside Durban.

Robert Brown, Sunny South, Natal Star to Natal 1867

ROBERT BROWN, SUNNY SOUTH AND NATAL STAR Natal Mercury April 9 1867 with mention of the loss of the schooner Wasp at Table Bay with all hands

ARRIVED
April 5, Robert Brown, sch., 33 tons, Mitchell, from Algoa Bay March 25. Cargo rice, etc.
PASSENGER
Capt Chapman
Reports the sch. Wasp having capsized in Table Bay, all hands lost.
Goodliffe, Smart, and Ballance, agents. 
April 6, Sunny South, barque, 309 tons, Mitchell, from Port Elizabeth March 25, and East London.
Cargo, general.
Goodliffe, Smart, and Ballance, agents.

SAILED
April 5, Natal Star, ship, 366 tons, Hodge, for London, via Algoa Bay.
PASSENGERS
For London
1st Class
Mr and Mrs Calder
Mr and Mrs Dickens
Messrs

Anderton
Hill

2nd Class
Mr and Miss Summerhayes
Mrs Stabler and child
Messrs
Beale
Corkrill
Donaldson
Wilson

For Algoa Bay
1st Class
Mr Owen
Cargo, sundries
Muirhead, Findlay, and Co., agents.

William Shaw arrives Natal 31 January 1867

The William Shaw, 39 tons, was built at Cato Creek in August 1856, for George Cato (Mayor of Durban). Named after a Wesleyan minister, she was the first ship to have Port Natal painted on her stern as port of registry. This schooner was launched prematurely when the Umgeni River came down in spate.

ARRIVED 
Jan 30, William Shaw, sch., T Ledson from Delagoa Bay.

PASSENGERS
Mr Fonceca
Mr and Mrs Garavon
Cargo, rice.

Report
Sailed from Delagoa Bay Jan 24, experienced a very heavy thunder storm from 3 p.m. until midnight, afterwards a gale from SW. Masaken's people went to attack the Matola, but returned after capturing two women, whom they afterwards killed. Fever very prevalent. The Portuguese brig Tigo, Captain Olivario, in port, with the Matola chief and Secretaries on board as prisoners, for Mozambique.
GC Cato, agent.

Souvenir Saturday: Arundel Castle enters Durban ca 1920s

Union Castle Line's Arundel Castle enters Durban ca 1920s; 
artist C J Shrubsole

Laid down at Harland and Wolf's yard, Belfast, in November 1915, the Arundel Castle did not take the water until nearly four years later. Narrowly escaping being completed as a troopship or requisitioned as an armed cruiser, in 1921 this mail steamer made her first visit to the Cape. She eclipsed any previous Cape liner in size, being almost half as large again as the Balmoral Castle. Arundel Castle was the first Union-Castle mail steamer to be fitted with geared turbines, to have a cruiser stern and to have four funnels. Ungainly in appearance, the Arundel Castle provided compensating features in the arrangements of her passenger accommodation, which marked a great advance on that of previous ships. Both she and her sister the Windsor Castle were remarkably smooth-running vessels and very popular with the travelling public.

[Marischal Murray: Ships & South Africa]

www.relevantsearchscotland.co.uk/ships/midsizedships/101arundelcastle/image003.jpg