Passengers to Natal on RMS Natal Oct 1875

'Arrival of RMS Natal 28 Mail Bags 58 Passengers. Yesterday at a quarter past two o'clock this steamer arrived at the outer anchorage. She has made exceedingly quick passage, having left Cape Town at noon on 6th inst. Capt Airth (Port Captain) at once proceeded out in the tug which did battle with the waves going across the bar, a heavy sea being on at the time. The mails were landed at a quarter to 4. We are indebted to Capt Gilbert for a report of the voyage. Capt Gilbert has had a splendid run this trip. Having been only 45 hours from Cape Town to Algoa Bay and 53 hours thence to Natal including stoppage at East London.' (Natal Mercury 12.10.1875)

This Natal (not to be confused with the General Screw Co vessel of the same name in the 1850's) was a Union Line coaster. Built in 1866, 618 tons, she was intended for the colonial coastal trade. Despite being described as capable of crossing the bar at Durban in all conditions, she evidently anchored out in the roadstead on her arrival in October 1875.

Natal had the dubious distinction of losing her captain, Ridsdale, when he fell overboard during a voyage to Cape Town. On a more auspicious occasion she carried Sir John Molteno and other notables. In 1873 she inaugurated the Zanzibar Line, sailing to Zanzibar from the Cape.

Arrived 11 October 1875 RMS Natal (took 5 days from the Cape).

Passengers:

ANDERSON Farquharson
ANDERSON Alexander
ANDERSON Charlotte
ANDERSON Margaret Jane
ANDERSON Neil McInnes
ANDERSON Wilhelmina
AUGUR James H
BALENTYNE Anne
BATH Samuel
HOBSON Matilda A
HORN Alexander
LEFEVRE Arthur
METCALF Frank Hardy
METCALF John
METCALF Louisa
METCALF Percy James
MITCHELL Alex Hector
PERFECT (infant)
PERFECT Annie
PERFECT Henry
PERFECT Maria
PERFECT Rebecca
PERFECT Rebecca M A
PERFECT Robert William
PERFECT William
SMALWOOD Thomas
WALLETT Eliza
WALLETT George

Not all passengers are listed by name. Sureties (i.e. providing employment) for some of those on board were Black Baxter & Co. The Anderson family had emigrated from Aberdeen and were to settle at Umzinto on the south coast of Natal. After the death of Farquharson Anderson, his widow Charlotte married William Dixon Smith.

The road to Umzinto, Natal South Coast:
crossing a drift by ox-wagon. There were about 20 rivers
to cross between Durban and Umzinto, a hazardous undertaking.
The lengthy sea voyage was merely the start of the settlers' journey.

.

Passenger arrivals and departures at Natal Oct 1875

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES Natal Mercury October 2 1875
Florence, Adonis, Pelham, Natal, Elizabeth Martin, Zulu, Kafir

Sept 27 - Florence, CMS, of Leith, 880 tons, Jones, from Cape Ports. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
From East London
Mr R Wilhelm
From London
Mr Milner
Capt and Mrs Hyme
Masters MHC and H Hyme
Misses K and J Hyme
two nurses
Capt and Mrs Lucas
Mr and Mrs Welsh
Mr and Mrs Morgan Evans
Mr and Mrs Allen
Messrs
S Chambers
T Hayman
W Freville
G Harrison
HP Harrison
JM Cooke
H Martin
Mrs MA Ellis
Messrs
M Evans
W Bruce
J Wolfe
R Allcock
E Groves
R Culverwell
S Swales
V Plank
W Plank
Mrs Taunton
Mrs and Miss Gibson
Masters CA, WF and CF Gibson
Miss C Morris
From Algoa Bay
Mrs JE Wood
Mrs Impry
Mrs Vanderschyff and four children
Messrs
T Farrow
McKinnon
Andrew
W Woodger
Mrs Brink
Mrs Nelson and baby
six coolies
Report
Left Cape 22nd Sept.; strong breeze NW with rain, squalls at times, high sea; arrived Mossel Bay, 9 a.m. 23rd Sept., stiff breeze NW, and fair weather; left Mossel Bay 1 p.m. 23rd Sept.; fresh breezes NW and cloudy; arrived at Algoa Bay 9.30 a.m. 24th Sept.; variable winds, and rain at times; left Algoa Bay, 3.45 p.m. 24th Sept.; moderate breezes, passing showers; arrived at East London, 8.45 a.m. 25th Sept.; high winds, NW, and fine weather; left East London 6.30 p.m., 25th Sept.; variable winds and cloudy weather 26th strong winds; arrived at Natal, 9.30 a.m., 27th Sept.
Black Baxter and Co., agents.

Sept 25 - Annie,of London schooner, 41 tons, C. Smith, from East London, sailed Sept 23. Cargo: forage and spokes.
S Crowder and Co., agents.

Sept 26 - Garmouth, schr, 200 tons, McPherson, from London, sailed July 4. Cargo: general.
Adler Bros, agents.

Sept 28 - Adonis, SS of Amsterdam, 80 tons, Thompson, from Scottburgh, sailed Sept 27. Cargo: general.
S Crowder and Co., agents.

DEPARTURES

Oct 3 - Florence, DCMS, of Leith, 800 tons, Jones, for Cape Town and intermediate ports. Cargo: colonial produce.
PASSENGERS
For London
Major-General Sir Garnet Wolseley, KCB, KCMG, and four servants
Major Brackenbury RA
Major Butler
Lord Gifford
Miss E Bate
Messrs
Chevers
Etheridge
Captain Dickinson
For East London
Mr J Holden
Miss Finchen
For Algoa Bay
Messrs
J Gilligan
E Shaw
For Cape Town
Mrs Phillips
Mrs E Shaw
1 gunner RA
1 private, 1-13th, LI
Black, Baxter and Co., agents.

Oct 11 - Adonis, SS, of Amsterdam, 80 tons, Thompson, for Scottburgh. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
Mrs Collingham and three children
S Crowder and Co., agents.

Oct 14 - Pelham, brigantine, of Natal, 160 tons, Strachan, for Delagoa Bay. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
Mr R Beningfield
Mr Dubois
Mr Schonberg
100 kafirs
Beningfield and Son, agents.

Oct 15 - Adonis, of Amsterdam, SS., 80 tons, Thompson, resailed for Scottburgh. Cargo: general.
S Crowder and Co., agents.

Oct 16 - Sea Gull, schooner, of London, 76 tons, Hines, for East London. Cargo: sugar.
Harvey, Greenacre and Co., agents.

Oct 16 - Annie, schooner, of London, 41 tons, Smith, for East London. Cargo: general.
PASSENGER
Thomas Crowder
S Crowder and Co., agents.

Oct 18 - Natal, RMS, of Southampton, 587 tons, JC Gilbert, for Cape Town and intermediate ports. Cargo: general
PASSENGERS
For Southampton
Messrs
Jabelot
CH Wells
W B Scott
Janion
B De Waal
Mr and Mrs Vergottini
Mrs Hayne, child and servant
Capt Baker
Mr A de Terrason
For Cape Town
Miss Coates
Miss Symons
Mrs Moodie and child
Mr Farr
Messrs
St. Leger
W Stitzer
17 Naval invalids
For Algoa Bay
Mrs Adlam
Mr Bomball
Mr Rigg
Escombe and Co., agents.

Oct 19 - Elizabeth Martin, CMS, of Leigh, 1503 tons, Duncan, for Cape ports and England. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
For Algoa Bay
Mr W Reekie
Black, Baxter and Co., agents.

Oct 22 - Zulu RMS, of Southampton, 679 tons, H de la Cour Travers, for East Coast ports. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
For Delagoa Bay
Messrs
Thompson
Brown, Mrs Brown and four children
Mr Stephen Jackson
Mr Solomons
88 kafirs
For Zanzibar
Dr Turnbull RN
For Mozambique
one kafir
ten lascars
Escombe and Co., agents.

Oct 26 - Hannah Nicholson, barque, of Adelaide, 252 tons, Farquhar, for Mauritius. Cargo: flour.
H and T McCubbin, agents.

Oct 26 - Lady Selborne, 3-masted brigantine, of Plymouth, 209 tons, N. Keen, in ballast.

Oct 29 - Kafir, RMS, of Southampton. 900 tons, Garrett, for Cape Town and intermediate ports. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
For Southampton
Mr FW Reid
Mr George Reid
Mrs Pascoe and two children
Mr Whiskin
Mr Stooker
For Cape Town
Miss Crossley
Mr and Mrs Doesell and child
1 Naval invalid from HMS Encounter
For Algoa Bay
Dr Hope
one kafir
For East London
Miss McArthur
Miss Sweltzer
Escombe and Co., agents.

Oct 29 - Annie Brown, brigantine, of Adelaide, 166 tons, Gilfillen, for Adelaide. Cargo: general.
Grant and Fradd, agents.

Souvenir Saturday: Nobel's Dynamite Factory Gate, Ardeer, Stevenston

A view of the loading gates at the Nobel Factory in Ardeer circa 1900, the employees are all wearing Tam O’Shanters except of course for the foreman with his bowler hat.

My great grandfather Finlay Gibson is at various dates during his career at the explosives factory described as ‘searcher’, ‘cartridge foreman’ and ‘gatekeeper’. A remarkable photograph shows the very gate where Finlay would have been positioned as gatekeeper, no doubt wearing a bowler hat similar to the one in the photo. A 'searcher' had the task of making sure nobody entering the factory was carrying matches.

In the Early 19th century nitro-glycerine was the main explosive used in mining throughout the world, even though it was incredibly unstable, it had caused many fatal accidents in its use and just as many in its manufacture. Nitro-glycerine was so unsafe that many countries outright banned its use, a safer form of blasting had to be developed.

Alfred Nobel invented Dynamite in 1864; he used a method of saturating diatomaceous earth with nitro-glycerine and various other chemicals to make a solid compound. This made it far safer to handle; it could even undergo force-impacts and not explode, unlike nitro-glycerine that would sometimes explode literally at the drop of a hat. He was only able to manufacture small quantities at a time, as had limited working space and it was still a very dangerous manufacturing process.

In choosing the location for his new explosives plant, he sought an isolated location, with goods access links by sea. The Ardeer peninsula seemed perfect with it was isolated from any major settlement and could be accessed by sea easily. The plant opened for business December 1872, a notice appeared in the Mining Journal:

'The British Dynamite Company, having erected extensive works at Ardeer, Ayrshire, near Glasgow, with all Mr. Nobel's recent improvements for the manufacture of dynamite, are now prepared to execute orders for Home Consumption and Export.'

'For more information on the North Ayrshire's Yesterd@ys project, please visit Our Website, or email us at NAHeritage@North-Ayrshire.gov.uk '

Acknowledgement to North Ayrshire Yesterdays.

Passengers to Natal per URMS American Sept 1878

Natal Mercury September 28 1878

ARRIVED

27 September American URMS of Southampton, 2474 tons, Gilbert, RNR, from England and Cape ports. Cargo general.

PASSENGERS
From Southampton
Mr and Miss Warwick
Mr G Green
Cape Town
Mr and Mrs Peacock, infant and servant
Messrs
Lawrence
Schroder
Piper
Rickerhardt
Hemann
Mieur
WA Daly
Kowie River
Six natives
East London
Messrs
Malage
Massock
Gresser
Lamade
Meredith
Hicks
Tieur
Kelby
Troye
Wagner
Wright
Wiltie
Duncan
Erasmus
Hoddarty
Mr and Mrs Bentley
Dr Mansell
Capt George
Surgeon-Major Cuff and servant
Colonel and Mrs Pullern, two children and servant
Captain and Mrs Upeton, two children and servant
Captain Anstye
Captin Hodson
Lieutenant Heaton
Lieutenant Palmer
Captain Spalding and servant
186 men of the 24th Regiment*
245 passengers in all
E Boynton, agent.

September 27 Tyne, HMS troopship, Solly, from England (July 31) and Cape ports, with troops.
September 27 Hastings, ship, from Madras, with coolies.
John T Rennie and Sons, agents

SAILED
September 27 EJ Spence, barque, of Melbourne, 519 tons, Gill, for Melbourne. Cargo general.
PASSENGER
Mr Harvey
Henry Smith, agent.

OUTER ANCHORAGE
American, URMS, of Southampton, 2474 tons, Gilbert, RNR, from England and Cape ports.
E Boynton, agent.
Courland, CRMS, of London, 1500 tons, Rigby, from Cape Town and intermediate ports.
SS Ridge, agent.
Tyne, HRM, troopship, Solly, from England and Cape ports.
Basuto, barque, of London, 334 tons, Creak, from London
Ballard, King and Jarvis, agents.
Fager, barque, of Geffe, 323 tons, Albrithsen, from Hudikswall
John Hunt, agent.
Hastings, ship, from Madras
John T Rennie and Sons, agents.
Lydia, barque, of Geffe, 282 tons, Nordin, from Skutskar
John Hunt, agent.

*Note that 186 men of the 24th Regiment are not individually named, as was the practice in newspaper passenger lists at this time. You can lose a lot of ancestors that way. In this instance the men of the 24th were sailing out to South Africa to fight in the Zulu War and many would meet their fate at Isandhlwana or Rorke's Drift in January 1879.

Durban docks ca 1887

Historic photograph of Durban Docks circa 1887. Extremity of Point Wharf showing original Wharf Shed A erected in 1881 (with curved roof) and the Sheers erected at the end of the main wharf, the total length of which, at this period, did not exceed 1500 feet. In the left foreground is a craft known as the Anchor Boat used for laying moorings about the Bay. The funnel of one of the paddle tugs (probably Forerunner) can be seen in front of the ship in full sail. To the right of A Shed is the Customs House.
[Cory Library 754_1207]

For an extension of the view to the right, see molegenealogy.blogspot.co.za/2016/06/port-office-point-durban.html

Passengers to Natal per RMS Natal Oct 1875

Natal Mercury October 5 1875

SHIPPING GAZETTE

ARRIVED
October 10th - Natal, RMS, of Southampton, 587 tons, JC Gilbert, from Cape Town and intermediate ports. Cargo: general. 

PASSENGERS
From Cape Town
Mrs J Phillips
Misses (2) Wilkinson
Mr and Mrs Kennedy
Capt and Mrs Disney Roebuck
Mr and Mrs Elton
Mr and Mrs Hersee
Mr and Mrs de Stanteville
Miss Cranston
Messrs
Vane
Thorne
Foulis
Greathead
2 servants
From Algoa Bay
Miss Rose
Mr Gordon
one native
From Southampton
Mrs Gordon
Mrs Frost
Mr and Mrs Read
Miss Meincke
Miss Bochmers
Messrs
J Phillips
Hoskings
Weldon
Carr
Smith
Lenkin
Kahl
Posselt
Gregory
Bordman
Spence
Donald
five men, four women and seven children
Report
Left Cape Town on the 6th October, at noon, arrived in Port Elizabeth on the 8th, at 9.30 a.m., left again at 5.35 p.m., anchored off East London on the 9th at 6.30 a.m., left at 8.30 a.m. Experienced light variable winds during the voyage. USS Anglian and CSS Elizabeth Martin at anchor in Algoa Bay; RMS Basuto at East London. On the morning of the 10th passed a schooner (NHGT), and SS Adonis at anchor off Scottburgh, wishes to be reported - all's well.
Escombe and Co., agents.

October 10 - Maria Frederica, schnr, of Cape Town, 97 tons, Fernandez from Port Elizabeth, sailed September 28. Cargo: salt.
R Wilhelm, agent.

October 11 - Alice, schooner, of Port Louis, 193 tons, Stuber, from Mauritius, sailed ---. Cargo: general.
Beningfield and Son, agents.

SAILED
October 9 - Annie, schr, of Port Natal, 41 tons, C Smith, for East London. Cargo: general.
S Crowder and Co., agent.

OUTER ANCHORAGE
Alice, schooner, of Port Louis, 193 tons, Stuber, from Mauritius. Beningfield and Son, agents.
Empreza, barque, of Adelaide, -- tons, Lee, from Adelaide. Steel, Atkinson and Co, agents.
Natal, RMS of Southampton, 528 tons, Captain JC Gilbert from East Coast ports. Escombe and Co., agents.

VESSELS IN PORT
Actaea, barque, of London, 300 tons, A Walker, for Mauritius. E Snell and Co., agents.
Annie Bow, schnr. 250 tons, J McLean, for Delagoa Bay. Lipperta and Dentzelmann, agents.
Armida, brig, of Tundsvale, 207 tons, J Werner, for Sydney. Bullard, King and Co., agents.
Barbara Taylor, 3-masted schnr, of Greenock, 252 tons, Taylor, for London. Bullard, King and Co., agents.
Carrington, 3-masted schr., of Jersey, Strickand, for London. Ballance and Goodliffe, agents.
Durban, barque of London, 332 tons, Newton, for London. Bullard, King and Co., agents.

Passenger arrivals Natal Oct 1875

ARRIVALS Natal Mercury October 2 1875
Hannah Nicholson, Actaea, Natal, Zulu, Umkomanzi, Adonis, Elizabeth Martin, Kafir, Lady Selborne, Florence

SHIPPING ARRIVALS

Sept 3 - Hannah Nicholson, barque, of Adelaide, 252 tons, Farquhar, from Adelaide, sailed July 16. Cargo: flour.
PASSENGERS
Messrs
Hardy
Rodds
H and T McCubbin, agents.

Sept 7 - Actaea, barque, of London, 300 tons, A Walker, from Calcutta and Mauritius, sailed from Calcutta, July 11. Mauritius, Aug 25. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
Mrs and Miss Maingard
Mrs Porley and four children
Mr and Mrs S Guillaman and three children
Mr Nicholas and four children
E Snell and Co., agents.

Sept 7 - Barbara Taylor, 3-masted schnr, of Greenock, 252 tons, Taylor, from London, sailed June 12. Cargo: general.
Bullard, King and Co., agents.

Sept 7 - Surprise, barque of Norway, 454 tons, Wagner, from London, sailed June 1. Cargo: general.
Steel, Atkinson and Co., agents.

Sept 8 - Natal, RMS, of Southampton, 587 tons, JC Gilbert, from Capt Town and intermediate ports. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
From Southampton
Mrs King and 4 children
Lieut de Hoghton
Messrs
E Escombe
Heys
Macfarlane
Gregory
5 men, 2 women, and 5 children.
From Cape Town
Mrs H De la Cour Travers, child, and servant
Messrs Pretorius
C Fleek
G Bocca
Beather
Henderson
Kennedy
J Noeman
H Thomas
A Fisher
C Kirsten
J Domon
R Cook
From Algoa Bay
Mr and Mrs Railie
Dr Barbour
Mr L Bamball
Messrs
Barbour
Somberg
W Reigg
Weitzel
Report
Left Cape Town at noon on the 3rd Sept., experienced light variable winds till midnight, then the wind freshened to NW and increased till morning. During the 4th strong gale; at midnight heavy gale with violent squalls, wind, hail and rain, thunder and violent lightning. Arrived Algoa Bay 5th, at 1 p.m. Off Cape. St. Francis, on the morning of the 5th passed RMS Kafir bound to the westward and a brigantine running. Left Port Elizabeth on the 6th at 3.20 p.m., anchored off East London next morning at 7; left again at 11.20 a.m. From Port Elizabeth to Port Natal, light easterly winds and fine.
Escombe and Co., agents.

Sept 11 - Annie, schooner, of London, 40 tons, Le Clercq, from East London, sailed Sept 8. Cargo: general.
S Crowder and Co., agents.

Sept 11 - Zulu, RMS, 678 tons, H de le Cour Travers, from Zanzibar and intermediate ports. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
Alex Turnbull, Esq., MD, Staff-Surgeon HMS "London",
Messrs
Thompson
Brown
Joublet
Mrs and Miss Samuel
17 Naval invalids
Report
Left Natal August 19, 9 a.m., arrived Mozambique August 25, 3.15 p.m.; arrived Zanzibar August 28, 9.15 a.m. From Natal to 26° S experienced heavy NE gale and very high sea; thence to Zanzibar moderate fair winds and strong adverse currents. Left Zanzibar August 31, 3.15 p.m. arrived Lindi Bay September 2, 8 a.m.; sailed at noon same day; arrived Mozambique September 4, 7.30 a.m.; left 3.15 p.m. same day; arrived Delagoa Bay September 8, 2.30 p.m.; sailed September 9, 11.45 a.m., arrived Natal September 11. From Zanzibar to Cape Delgado experienced light SW monsoon and strong adverse currents, thence to 21° S light fair winds, but no current; thence to C Corrientes similar weather; Delagoa Bay to Natal, strong gale and heavy head sea.
Escombe and Co., agent.

Sept 12 - Umkomanzi, barque, of Aberdeen 397 tons, Airth, from London, sailed June 29. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
Mrs Bachan and seven children
Steel, Atkinson and Co., agents.

Sept 12 - Adonis, of Amsterdam, SS, 80 tons, Thompson, from Scottburgh, sailed Sept 12, not having effected a landing. Cargo: sundries.
PASSENGERS
Mrs Collingham and three children
S Crowder and Co., agents.

Sept 15 - Elizabeth Martin, CMS, of Leith, 1500 tons, Duncan, from London and Cape ports. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
Messrs
Mc-om-ie
Ridson
Buyers
Report
Sailed from London, August 4th; arrived at Cape, Sept 2nd, left 5th; arrived Mossel Bay, 6th, left 7th; arrived Algoa Bay, 8th, left 10th; arrived at Kowie, 11th, left 13th; arrived East London, 13th, left 14th; arrived Natal, 15th.
Black, Baxter and Co., agents.

Sept 15 - Eastern Star, brig, 208 tons, GW Arnot, from London, sailed Jan 10th. Cargo: general.
Steel, Atkinson and Co., agents.

Sept 22 - Kafir, RMS, of Southampton, 900 tons, Garratt, from Cape ports. Cargo: general.
PASSENGERS
From Southampton
Mr and Mrs Topham, four children, and nurse
Rev., Mrs and Mr AJ Abrahams
Mr G Woodley
Mr Krafer
Miss Nickse
Mr Dowse
Mr Hooper
Mr RG and Mr G Hooper
Sergt Hawgood
Mr and Mrs Fairburn
Misses Pople (2)
Mrs Heller and daughter
From Cape Town
Miss Lloyd
Mr GL Morton
Mr and Mrs Bonever
Mr E Moore
Mr Thomas Kirkwood
Mr T Hastings
Messrs
A Nelson
J Leis
Robert Hunter
From Algoa Bay
Messrs
Macleroy
Mann
TA O'Flaherty
Bisset
From East London
Mr JN Holden
John Nixon
From Cape Town for Zanzibar
Muchmoet
Noomen
one boy
Report
Left Cape Town, Monday, Sept 13th, 4 p.m., light variable winds, to Mossel Bay; arrived at Mossel Bay, Tuesday, Sept 14th 7.30 p.m. left Mossel Bay, Wednesday, 15th, 2.30 p.m.; moderate head winds to Algoa Bay; arrived at Algoa Bay, Thursday, 16, 8.30 p.m.; left Algoa Bay, Sunday, 19th, 10 a.m.; light fair winds and calm to East London; arrived at East London, Monday, 20th, 5.30 a.m.; left East London, Monday, 20th, 5.30 p.m.; light fair winds and calm to Natal; arrived at Natal, Wednesday, 22nd, 5.30 a.m.
Escombe and Co., agents.

Sept 23 - Lady Selborne, 3-masted brigantine, of Plymouth, 299 tons, N Keen, from Port Alfred, sailed Sept 19, in ballast.
PASSENGERS
S Stanley
J Lyons
P Murphy
R Wilhelm, agent.

Florence, CMS of Leith.

Passengers to Natal per Pembroke Castle Nov 1889

PEMBROKE CASTLE arrived November 5 1889 Natal Witness November 7 1889

Arrived:

Nov 5, Pembroke Castle, C.S.S., of London 3936 tons, Hay, from England and Cape ports. Cargo, general.

PASSENGERS:

From London:
Messrs
Symonds
Laws
Clements
Miss Hubner
Messrs
Frank
Wood
Kingston
Fleming
Kemp
Smith
Warren
Kunder
Smith
Lawrence
Thomas
Beard
Taylor
Wilson
Wynn
Hamilton
Bamsley
Struther
Millican
Duffin
Michel
McCormick
Robertson
Denest
Renault
Liddall
Brooks
Frank
Mrs Mason and two children
Messrs
Hanly
Hawkins
Mr and Mrs Snashall
Misses (2) Snashall
Mr Ievrand
Mr and Miss Dawes
Mr Arenskong
Miss Leigh
Miss Fowler
Mr Carmont
Mr and Mrs Kent and child
Masters (5) Kent
Messrs
Ransom
Hudson
Simmonds
Anstrong
Haigh
Binghley

From Flushing:
Messrs
Bonkenburg
Blok
Vriest
Bos

From Cape Town:
Messrs
Brodie (2)
Mrs and Miss Brodie
Mr and Mrs Celliers and child
Miss Preller
Mr and Mrs Bailey and two children
Messrs
Brownlow
Hedman
Mr and Mrs Bicknell and two children
Miss Mizers

From Algoa Bay:
Messrs
W and S Smith
Mr and Miss Wardle

From East London:
Miss Filmer
Messrs
Merricks
Strike
Hardy
Whitfield
Mrs Fink and three children

- WF Allan, agent.

Nov 5, Christina, barque of Helsenborg, 314 tons, Olsen, from Geffe (July 8).
- Parker, Wood and Co., agents.

Sailed:

Nov 5, Giovanni, of Aberdeen, 710 tons, Haggie, for Falmouth. Cargo, teakwood.
- JT Rennie and Sons, agents.

Nov 5, Sylphide, schooner, of Sundavall, 332 tons, Toswell, for Inhambane, in ballast.
- Randles, Bro. and Hudson, agents.

Souvenir Saturday: the Hamilton Family of Stevenston, Ayrshire

Hamilton Family of Stevenston, Ayrshire: William b 1854 and Elizabeth b 1857 (my great grandparents), seated in chairs, with from top left Bill, Nancy (Agnes),
 Margaret, Tom, Nell, Jim in front, taken ca 1912.
Not in the photo are Alexander and Joseph (my grandfather) who had gone to SA about 1910. Tom (Thomas Craig Hamilton) later joined them in SA and died aged 29 in a mining accident at Dannhauser 4 September, 1923.

Passengers to Natal per Duart Castle and African 1889

DUART CASTLE arrived October 22 1889 Natal Witness October 25 1889

Arrived:

Oct 22, Duart Castle, C.S.S., of London, 1825 tons, Harris, from England and Cape ports. Cargo, general.

PASSENGERS
From London:
Messrs
JB Ross
Mr and Mrs Brown
Messrs
R Price
D Lowry
J Polley
Carlmann
Woe
Foster
Burns
Welch
Caulter
Rutler
Hall
Urpen
Ornot
Cassidy
Hutchinson
McAnade
Suirfull
Burton
Daniels
Thompson
Sphlin
Verstiede
Perry
Osburg
Harrison
Higgins
Fraser
Williams
Ede
Mr, Mrs and Master Downie
Mr, Mrs and Master Andreson
Miss McLean
Mr and Mrs Boulton and infant
Master and Misses (2) Boulton
Mr and Mrs Leidler
Mrs L and E Richards
Master and Misses (2) Richards
Mr and Mrs Thompson
Miss Peters
Messrs
R and W Richards
George
JM Subbs

From Cape Town:
Mr Cullock

From Algoa Bay:
Mr and Mrs Considene

From East London:
Mr A Anderson and Stapel
Mr Holias

- WF Allan, agent.

Oct 23, African, U.S.S., of Southampton, 1372 tons, Smyth, from Delagoa Bay. Cargo, general.

PASSENGERS
For Natal:
Messrs
Focsanesca [Fonseca?]
Borland
Smallfield
Collingwood
Mr and Mrs Pottier
Arab, and 10 natives.

For Madeira:
Mr Russell

- HJ Watts, agent.

Passengers to Natal per Nyanza and Venice 1880

Nyanza: passengers on deck 1877

NYANZA arrived July 12 1880 also VENICE Natal Witness July 15 1880

Arrived:
July 12, Nyanza, U.R.M.S., of Southampton, 2128 tons, Ballard RNR, from England and the Cape. Cargo general. This vessel carried the Willowfountain settlers.

PASSENGERS from England:
Mr, Mrs, Miss and Master Methley
Messrs
Harrison
A Stanley
W Clifford
McNess
Moham
McNawn
JB Gribble
Mr and Mrs Neden
Messrs W and J Neden
Misses Neden (5)
Mr, Mrs and Misses (3) Laddle
Mr, Mrs and Masters (3) Aitchesen
Messrs
Brudley (4)
Mr and Mrs Barnett
Misses Barnett (2)
Master Barnett
Mr an Mrs Clements
Master Clements (3)
Misses Clements (4)
Mr, Mrs, Miss and Master Clarke
Mr and Mrs Christieson
Messrs
Clarke
Green
Hadden
L Hadden
Mr and Mrs Oldfield
Masters Oldfield (6)
Miss Oldfield
Mr and Mrs Roberts
Messrs Roberts (2)
Miss B Roberts
Mr and Mrs Symons
Mr, Mrs and Miss Martin
Mr and Mrs Rowlings, Masters (4), and Misses (2) Rowlings
Messrs Liepir (2)
Miss Liepir (2)
Mr and Mrs Haworth
Misses Haworth (3)
Masters Haworth (4)
Mr Clark
Mr and Mrs Powdrill
Misses Powdrill (4)
Master Powdrill
Mr and Mrs Walker
Misses Walker (8)
Masters Walker (3)
Mr and Mrs Hamlyn
Masters Hamlyn (2)
Misses Hamlyn (5)
Mr and Mrs Neden
Master Neden
Misses Neden (3)
Mr, Mrs and Miss Hann
Mr and Mrs Brown
J Brown
Masters Brown (2)
Misses Brown (3)
Mr and Mrs Parkin
J Parkin
G Parkin
Miss Morriss
Mr Barrett (2)

From Cape Town:
Mr Thirsby

- E. Baynton, agent.

July 12, Venice, C.R.M., of London, --tons, Brown, from Cape and intermediate ports. Cargo general.

PASSENGERS from Cape Town:
Captain and Mrs Heavy, two children, and servant
Mrs Staple, three children, and servant
Mr Bruss
Mr and Mrs Van Coller and child
Mrs F Wilson
Mr Rossenburg
Messrs Dark and Stoner

From Algoa Bay:
Mr Kisher

From East London:
Miss and Master Butler
Mr Herman Rule
Messrs
Bonsacimer and Dach

From London:
Messrs
C Holland
H Levy
HJ Poole
J Schoultz
Miss M Hunter
Mr and Mrs Ever[e]st and child
Mr and Mrs Watson and child
Mr and Mrs Pawson and two children
Miss Jane McQuadrie
Mrs Sullivan and three children
Mrs McKwan and three children
Mr and Mrs Locke and infant
Mr TBL Edgecome
Mr and Mrs Hopkins nd child
Mr Walter Brayshaw
Mr and Mrs Gorrie and three children
Messrs
J Watson
D Jeckie
J Patterson
Spence
Alison
G Adamson
D McLellan
A McAlpine

- DC Andrew, agent.

July 3, Umzinto, barque, of London, 280 tons, Nurse, from London, May 8. Cargo, general.

PASSENGER:
Mr G Spoon
- Bullard, King and Jarvis, agents.

Victorian Valentine

Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. Originating as a Western Christian Feast day honoring one or two early saints named Valentinus, Valentine's Day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.

The day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionary, and sending greeting cards known as "valentines". Many of these were works of art which became more detailed especially during the sentimental Victorian era. In Europe, Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Passengers on Mexican to and from Natal Oct 1889

MEXICAN arrived October 18 1889 Natal Witness October 23 1889

Arrived:
Oct 18, Mexican, U.S.S., of Southampton, 4569 tons, Jones, from England (Sept 20), and Cape ports. Cargo, general.

PASSENGERS:

From England:
For Natal:
Mr and Mrs Levy
Mrs Driver
Mr, Mrs and Misses (2) Price
Mr and Mrs Baker
Mr and Miss Hevs
Messrs
Dumat
Fulton
O'Mears
Brooke
Thompson
Baldock
Smyth
McIllerow
Cosgrove
Berrie
Miss Watkins
Mr Young
Mrs Burnes and child
Messrs
Allen
Morgan
Mr and Mrs Morton
Mr, Mrs and Master Taylor
Messrs
Walker
Colling
McLeod
Mr and Miss Bridgman

From Cape Town:
Messrs
Wilkes
Owen
Dr Duff
Mr Morris
Mr and Mrs Dangers
Mr, Mrs and Master Rance
Miss King
Messrs Haigh
Rogerson
Chumley
Misses Ramsay and Elliott
Messrs
Russell
Hines
Mrs Simpson
Miss Holland

From Algoa Bay:
Messrs
Worman
Bell
Mr and Mrs Anderson
Messrs
Blackburn
Howe
Van der Merwe
John
Thomas
Smyth
Mr, Mrs and Master Dayley
Jacob
Price

From East London:
Mr Wright
Mrs and Master Ellis and maid
Messrs
E Jones
W Jones
Reeve
Maitland
Mr, Mrs, Master and Misses (2) Stacy

- HJ Watts, agent.

Oct 19, Clan Cameron, S.S., of Glasgow, 2433 tons, Sibery, R.N.R., from Liverpool and Glasgow. Cargo, general.
- Steel, Murray and Co., agents.

Oct 19, Ziba, barquentine, of Arendal, 283 tons, Knuden, from Christiania (July 9). Cargo, timber.
- WF Johnstone, agent.

Oct 20, Dabulamanzi, S.S., of Aberdeen, 1537 tons, Baker, from London (Sept 16). Cargo, general.
- JT Rennie and Sons, agents.

Oct 21, Pongola, S.S., of London, 1440 tons, Lewis, from Cape ports. Cargo, general.
- King and Sons, agents.

Sailed:
Oct 20, Mexican, U.S.S., of Southampton, 4669 tons, Jones, for Cape ports and England. Cargo, general.

PASSENGERS:

For East London:
Mrs Howard and child
Mr J Massey

For Algoa Bay:
Mr and Mrs SV Cloete
C Lemon

For Cape Town:
Mr T Harcombe
Mrs H Scholtz, 3 children, and servant

For England:
Messrs
CW Reinhardt
H Edwards
E Athow
F Mead

- HJ Watts, agent.

Oct 20, Byron, of Tredestrand, 348 tons,Johanesen, for Mexico, in ballast.
- Hunt, Leuchars and Hepburn, agents.

Oct 20, Edith Sheraton, Schooner, of Nova Scotia, 314 tons, Coumans, for Guam, in ballast.
- A. Fass and Co., agents.

Oct 21, Nubian, U.S.S., of Southampton, 3091 tons, Molony, for Cape ports and England. Cargo, general.
- HJ Watts, agent.

Passengers departed Natal per Moor Oct 1889

MOOR sailed October 6 1889 Natal Witness October 9 1889

Arrived:
Oct 7, Anglian, U.S.S., of Southampton, 2245 tons, Morton, from Delagoa Bay. Cargo, general.
- H.J. Watts, agent.

Sailed:
Oct. 6, Moor, U.S.S., of Southampton, 3686 tons, Griffin, for Cape ports and England. Cargo, general.

Passengers:

For East London:
Mrs Filmer
Mrs Holgate and 2 children
Miss Jones
Miss Osmond
Miss Bluhm
Mr JR Jones

For Algoa Bay:
Messrs
Isaacs
Newman
Goldberg
R Bertram
WWC Clark
HJ Vanwike
G Harrison
Kohler
Alex Keddie
W Froomberg
J Worman
C Bell
G Fraser
Tripmaker
A Oliff
W Luke
Sam, and Miss Niel

For Cape Town:
Messrs
Aspinall
JS Brunskill
F De Villiers
D Sparks
Mr and Mrs Bryant

For England:
Mrs Pitts and 3 children
Messrs
H Parsons
W Cook
J Cook
- H.J. Watts, agent.

Passengers to Natal per Asiatic Nov 1880

ASIATIC arrived November 6 1880 Natal Witness November 11 1880

ARRIVED:
Nov 6
Asiatic, U R M S, of Southampton, WC Crutchley, 2089 tons, from Cape Town and intermediate ports. Cargo general.

Passengers from Southampton:
Mrs A Davis and maid
Mrs and Miss Pacvis
Mr and Mrs Burden
Mr and Mrs Gresham
Mr and Mrs Rabbish
Miss Boocock
Messrs
Leyall
Stock
Warne
Dabb
McWilliam
H Shroder
P Shroder
Givers
Mr and Miss Atkinson, 4 Misses and 2 Masters Atkinson and native servant
Mr E Hope
Mrs Knight and 2 Misses and Master Knight
Miss Reeves
Miss Allen
2 Misses Mesves
Miss Capel
Mr and Mrs Mathews
Mr Clausen
Mr Finston
Mr, Mrs and Master Ker
Mr and Mrs McKenzie
Mr H Pepper
Mr Reed
Mr and Mrs Hewitt
Mr H Neimeyer
Mr, Mrs, Miss and 2 Masters Mare
Mr, Mrs, 2 Misses and Master Sutherland
Mr and Mrs Chrichton
Mr, 7 Misses and 2 Masters Williams

From Cape Town to East London:
Capt. Spondow

From Algoa Bay to East London:
Mr, Mrs, 2 Misses and 2 Master Browse  Messrs
Long
Lumsden
Kellan
11 Volunteers
Capt. Walker

From Algoa Bay to Natal:
Mrs Wells
Messrs
Scoones
Gurdts
Thomas
Kullett
Burley
Colgate
Brown and Hickson

- E. Baynton, agent.

Souvenir Saturday: Julia Gardiner d 1837 Natal

In Memory of Julia daughter of Capt Allen Gardener [sic] R.N. First English Missionary to the Zulus. He resided near this spot in 1835 and named it Berea. His daughter was buried here May 12th 1837. He went to found a mission in Patagonia where he died in the service of his saviour.

The gravestone of Julia Gardiner in the Old St Thomas Church Cemetery, Ridge Road, Durban.

Captain Gardiner died of starvation at Tierra del Fuego on 6 January 1851.

Passengers to Natal per Lapland and African Feb 1880

LAPLAND arrived Feb 21 1880 also AFRICAN Natal Witness Feb 21 1880

The D.C.S. Lapland arrived here this morning at daybreak with the mails of the Kinfauns Castle, and a few passengers. The Fox landed these at 8 o'clock. 

She brought the following Passengers:

For Natal:
Miss Christian
Mr and Mrs Buxton and 4 children
Messrs
J Wilson
Smith
Fraser
Mr and Mrs Adams
Mr Hunter
Mr Cowens
Mr Spencer
Miss Spencer
Mr and Mrs Stanford
Messrs
Hodocks
Macadams
Andrews
G Andrews
Parkhans
Paddon
Ashet
Mr and Mrs Holdernep
Messrs
Brendney
Morby
Main
Hampton
Misses Grenfell
James
Sharland
Mr Collyer
Mr and Mrs Brokenshaw, 2 children and native boy
Messrs
J Thompson
Whitelaw
Vinan
Peacock

For Mauritius:
Lieut. Hollings, 91st Regiment
Mr and Mrs Edwards

She sailed for Mauritius yesterday.

The African arrived yesterday from Delagoa Bay and the East Coast with the following Passengers. She goes on to the Cape at once.

For Natal:
Two Fugitive Slaves
Mr R Cora
Mrs SC Gutteling and two Indians

For East London:
Mr W Royi
Mr M Tintals

For Algoa Bay:
Abdor Pandie, Brother and servant, and 9 pilgrims.

For Cape Town:
Mr JS de Compas and 27 emigrants.

For England:
Mr McGregor
Mr Henderson

Passenger list Danube to Natal July 1880

DANUBE arrived July 14 1880; Natal Witness July 17 1880

Arrived:
July 14, Danube, U.R.M.S. of Southampton, 2,200 tons, Draper R.N.R., from Cape and intermediate ports. Cargo general.

PASSENGERS for Natal:
Mrs and Miss Ayliff
Mr Curry
Rev. Otto Witt
Messrs
Wynn
Williams
Driver
Mr and Mrs Dentzelmann
Miss and Master Dentzelmann and maid
Rev. and Mrs Slade and four children
Miss Bester
Mrs Schroeder and two Misses Schroeder
Mrs Narren and infant
Mr, Mrs and Miss Jurgens
Mrs Muller
Miss Schiewger [Schwieger?]
Miss Becket
Miss Girtman
Miss Loose
Miss Johannes
Miss Branmer
Miss Schulz
Miss Henry
Miss Walsh
Messrs
Hooper
Hicklan
Wright
Whittrock
Deppe
Kersel
Holmer
Roderwald
Behrens
Wortinan
Capt. Brown
Messrs
Kent
Sivenson
Behrens
Beighind
Norren
Nelson
Anderson
Wimdrure
Haines
Miller
Schuze
Ragterman
Simmonson
Hansen
Sholston
Tapton
Davidson
Bagnell
Mr and Mrs Bruggeman
two Masters Bruggeman
and two native boys

- E. Baynton, agent.

July 14, Diana, from London. Cargo general.
- JT Rennie and Sons, agent.

July 14, Henrich, brigantine of Hamburg, 263 tons, Renike, from Liverpool. Cargo general. Order

July 14, Diana, of Elefleth, 282 tons, Fredericks, from London. Cargo, general.
- JT Rennie and Sons, agents.

Sailed
July 13, Gluck Auf, schooner of Stralsund, 212 tons, Kuge, for Calcutta, in ballast.
- Parker, Wood and Co., agents.

July 14, Heinrich Sellschopp, brigantine of Rostock, 260 tons, Solenis, for Mexico, in ballast.
- Bullard, King and Jarvis, agents.

July 14, Portia, barque of London, 301 tons, Taylor for Calcutta, in ballast.

Women Emigrants, the Vote and Equal Pay

The women who emigrated from Britain or other countries in Europe to South Africa in the mid-19th c came from assorted backgrounds: some were middle-class wives and mothers accompanying their husbands on the emigration adventure, others were escaping dire conditions of poverty and drudgery.

All of them, though, had a common denominator: theirs was a male-dominated world which placed limitations on their freedom of thought and action. 

The shackles of convention were thrown off less easily than those of hunger, overcrowding, poverty and disease. An average emigrant woman took with her the restraints imposed on her by society and found these limitations to be alive and well in the colonies. If she was a wife and mother the decision to emigrate would be taken by her husband. If she was a single woman – a governess, perhaps – emigration would be dictated by her circumstances. She hadn’t much choice, either way. If anything changed for her at all, it was that life in the colony would be harder work than she had known 'at home' and that a new skills set was required.

Casting her vote for the first time

Women did not appear on colonial burgess rolls – they weren’t eligible to stand for election and were denied the franchise. Women (that is, white women) in South Africa acquired the vote as late as 1930.

A woman’s place was in the home: women seldom followed careers or contributed to the family income. 19th c South African directories rarely make reference to women – unless they ran a hotel or boarding-house or a school or similar establishment. Missionary women (as distinct from wives of missionaries) were among those who achieved an unusual status, actually being listed in SA directories, e.g. ‘Broberg, Miss Amy, Missionary, Amatikulu, Inyoni’ (in Zululand 1897).

Few records specifically relate to female colonists. Because of this, their own surviving writings – diaries, letters etc – take on a particular significance. But such women were of the educated class and were in the minority. Female domestic servants and other unskilled workers had neither the time nor the ability to write letters; they may not even have been able to sign their names on their marriage lines.

Gender inequality is alive and well even in today's world as the debate currently rages in UK over women's pay being substantially less than that of men.

Jan 30, 2018 - Hundreds of women at the BBC are in line for pay rises after a review of on-air salaries found they were being paid significantly less than men. The report by consultants PwC found "no evidence of gender bias in pay decision-making" but identified a series of "anomalies that need addressing". (Google)

Passenger List Dunkeld to Natal July 1880

DUNKELD arrived July 23 1880 Natal Witness July 27 1880

Arrived:
July 23, Dunkeld, C.R.M.S. of London, 1157 tons, Broadfoot from Cape Town and intermediate ports. Cargo general.

PASSENGERS
From England:
Messrs
Kehrmann and Saddy
Mrs Gilded and maid
Mr Shortrade
Lieut. Bailey
Lieut Peel
Messrs
Faircell
Michaelson
Isaacs
Mackinnon
Charlesworth
Mrs James and son
Mrs Goldberge
Wolfenden
Ericson and family
Mr and Mrs Mathieson
Messrs
Mellwrich and McKenzie
Mrs Lemon
Mrs Cleighorn
Mrs Field
Mrs Kirkness
Mr Dunningham

From Cape Town:
Mr Short
Col. Gildes
Master Lamport
Sergt. Wall
Mr Dahigg
Mr Jones
Mr Lilo

From Algoa Bay:
Mrs Kettle
Mr Baxter
Mr Ebbage
Mr Gerr

- DC Andrew, agent.

July 23, Panama, barque, of Rostock, 399 tons. Rening, from Goole. Cargo, coals.

- JT Rennie and Sons, agents.