Page 120 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

Things to be seen: There was the odd “sailors’ brawl” outside the New Kings Hotel.

Practice torpedoes that had gone astray in the bay were collected and towed back to the

harbour by Mr. Leon Klein.

Odd happenings: In 1941 an aeroplane crashed in the sea just off Muizenberg and was
salvaged and returned to Kalk Bay harbour. Mr. Wisenberg from Kalk Bay, while

swimming in the surf at Muizenberg, found a bomb which was removed by the authorities.

Boats in Kalk Bay: Tromp van Diggelen’s boat Felicity was commandeered by the SA

Navy for their use. Mr. Jameson’s shark boats were used for catching sharks and extracting
oil from the livers for medicinal purposes. The popular skipper was Mr. Leslie Clark. Due

to the scarcity of water at Simon’s Town, the Admiralty Tug St. Dogmael, towed water

tanks filled at Kalk Bay harbour to Simon’s Town to replenish the naval ships. (Fig. 3.23).

Dockyard workers: These people were often away from their homes for long periods
repairing ships damaged in sea battles.

Hospitality: Visiting service-men were invited by residents, two or three at a time, for

Sunday lunch. These included Americans, British, Canadians, French etc., and even some

from Sing-Sing turned up in plain uniforms.

Essential services: These were maintained mostly by elderley residents. One German who
lived in Kalk Bay – a Mr. Carl – had to report daily at our police station to sign the

register. Most young men and fathers were doing service “up north”.

Sad loss: Kalk Bay was saddened by the loss of young Hughie McCallum of the Cape

Town Highlanders in April 1945 at the battle of Monte Sole.

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