Page 71 - Bulletin 17 2013

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Official Guide Book and Souvenir Cape Gala (1907 – 08) Season, 1907: 149.

The town is a Resident Magistracy and contains the home of the Admiral
(Admiralty House), besides the Royal Naval Club, Naval Hospitals, an aerial railway
connected with extensive quarries on the mountain, several large schools, and a number
of shops. The town lies close to both mountain and sea, being, in fact, entirely on the
upper side of the Main Road. A fine jetty is in its centre, and the dockyard can be reached
without a very long walk. In the heart of the town is the British Hotel, certainly the best
in Simon’s Town, and a favourite place with those who like a quiet week-end at the
seaside. The cuisine at the British is well known in the Peninsula. At all events, Simon’s
Town has plenty of cabs (Capecarts), which run at moderate rates out in the direction of
Cape Point, past Sir John Jackson’s works. Boating, bathing and fishing are, of course,
easily to be obtained.

The development of formal beach amenities was focused on Seaforth which had been one

of the whaling stations at Simon’s Bay, and then a stone-quarry for Roman Rock
lighthouse. Around 1925 the area sloping down to the sea was converted into a series of

grassed and planted terraces and a floating wooden platform was anchored in the sea. No
pavilion or pool were ever built. Instead a modest tea-room and changing facilities were

built against the rock outcrops. A large parking area was laid out in the 1930s on what
was known as Malinson’s Field. (Figs. 1.80 – 1.83.) Being situated conveniently near to

East Yard Seaforth was always popular with naval personnel as well as residents.