Page 124 - Bulletin 15 2011

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smoking room. The seamen worked feverishly round the davits and the six lifeboats were

launched. One lifeboat capsized in the dark and the occupants were pitched into the water only to
be saved by the crew of the captain’s lifeboat who managed to right the capsized lifeboat. Sadly,

Mrs Harrison, holding her three-year-old son, lost control of him in the incident and despite
rescue attempts by the crew he disappeared below the surface and drowned. He was the only

casualty in the ship’s grounding.

The remaining five lifeboats rowed all night in the direction of Cape Town and at dawn on 16

September were in sight of Table Mountain. Fortunately, the Galeka, (6,767 tons), a Union Line
ship, which was in fact the last liner to be built for the Union Line, left Table Bay Harbour at

daybreak the same morning. She was on her way up the east coast and now in much calmer sea
was able to pick up four of the Umhlali’s lifeboats at about 09h00. The tug Falla collected the

remaining lifeboat. Both vessels returned to Table Bay at about midday.

At an Inquiry Captain Richards admitted that he was playing cards when the ship struck. He

complained of the absence of a lighthouse and fog-signal at Slangkop. There was evidence that
the captain was on bad terms with his officers. Dr Adam Porteous, the ship’s surgeon, criticised

the navigation. His wife, who was on board, said she was afraid to go to bed on the night of the

wreck, and she alleged further that the lifeboats had no water or provisions.

The certificates of Captain Richards and the chief officer were suspended for twelve months, and
three other officers were censured.

The excellent service rendered by the Postmaster at Kommetjie in securing and forwarding what

proved to be reliable information, was praised by the Resident Magistrate of Simon’s Town, Mr

George Boyes, whose duties, among others, were Port Captain and Officer Responsible for
Wrecks along the dangerous Far South coast.