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The Birkenhead Drill of “women and children first” was strictly applied. Two successful

journeys consisting of three lifeboats per journey were made to the shore before it was decided to
abandon any further rescue attempts: the night darkness would have made any further attempts

extremely dangerous as the channel used by the lifeboats between the rocks could not be seen.
Four Arab crewmen who attempted to swim ashore were drowned.

At first light some fishermen arrived on the scene and assisted with the lifeboats. They rowed

safely through the narrow passage and after four trips had helped to rescue all those still aboard

the wreck. As the last lifeboat reached the beach three hearty cheers were given.

Cape Town was shocked by the evidence given at the inquiry, and indeed the Kafir disaster was a
disgraceful affair. It was revealed that in spite of the wreck of the Albatross fifteen years

previously, Albatross Rock had not yet appeared on the ship’s chart. John Knight, lighthouse-
keeper at Cape Point, gave evidence that he had seen the rock off Olifants Point, and there was

considerable argument about the position of the rock.

Captain Ward declared that he was two miles out when the Kafir struck an uncharted rock.

Several passengers, called as witnesses, gave evidence that the Captain was drunk. “I would be

sorry to sail again in the same ship with Captain Ward,” stated a Mr Charles Cairncross. This
allegation was emphatically denied by all the officers called to give evidence at the Inquiry.

Nevertheless, the court blamed Captain Ward and suspended his Master’s certificate for nine
months.

SS Umhlali 15 September 1909

The SS Umhlali was a steamer of 3,388 tons, built in 1904 by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland.
(Fig. 4.3). It was owned by Bullard, King & Co., and was commanded by Captain J. L. Richards.

She struck Albatross Rock at 22h30 when most passengers were asleep and within five minutes
her engine-room was flooded. She was in a hopeless position and five hundred metres from the

shore. Captain Richards, who should have been on the bridge, was in the smoking room playing
cards. All lights were out, but candles were lit. Passengers rushed to the deck and poured into the