Page 105 - Bulletin 22 2019

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During the 1980s and 90s the demand for boxes declined and they fell into disrepair in the

harsh coastal climate. By 1988 perhaps 30 remained, and by 2000 only 15. Today there are
only 4 and they are in poor condition and no longer used as bathing boxes. (Fig. 2.89.)

Glencairn

The first 56 plots of land at Glencairn were sold in 1901. Bathing boxes were erected in ones

and twos over the next 20 years: three permits were granted in 1901, one each in 1911 and

1912, two in 1913, three in both 1914 and 1915, making a total of 13. The tidal pool, built in
1923, added another bathing amenity.

By 1938 there were 18 boxes here, in 1945 about 23, and in 1958 there were 29. All stood in

the relatively wind-sheltered and north-facing corner of the beach near the railway

embankment. In 1949 the Simon’s Town Council took the step of restricting sites to local
property owners and later stated that no more suitable sites were available. Numbers started

declining in the 1960s: to 22 in 1968 and 11 in 1973. (Figs. 2.90 - 2.95.)

Seaforth

In 1938 there were 18 boxes standing on two terraces below the Admiralty Storage Tanks. In

1955 there were 16 but by 1973 there were none. (Figs. 2.96 - 2.98.)

Boulders

In 1938 there were 6 boxes here and these had doubled to 12 by 1955. Already by 1947

Council had stipulated that no more sites were available on the small beach. (Fig. 2.99 &
2.100.)

These three beaches fell within the Simon’s Town Municipal area. The number of boxes,

combined, peaked at 59 in 1955, but by May 1973 only 22 remained: 11 at Glencairn and 11

at Boulders. At that time Council issued demolition notices to all owners. These could be pre-
empted only if owners were prepared to pay higher site rentals and carry out necessary

repairs.