Having attempted various measures to improve access to Durban harbour, such as Milne's scheme in the 1850s, the Colonial Office threw its hands in the air and turned the entire matter over to Captain James Vetch, a Royal Engineer in the harbour department at the Admiralty. Vetch saw possibilities in designing something special for Natal. What is incomprehensible is that he did so without ever leaving his desk in London and had never visited Natal at any stage. The upshot was that after further expenditure the development of the port was no farther advanced when Vetch's contract was terminated.
Acknowledgement: African Keyport, Capt. Tony Pearson
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