Page 107 - Bulletin 8 2004

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The arrival of the railway in 1883, and its subsequent extension to Simon’s Town in 1890,
proved to be problematic. The railway authorities had not consulted with the fishermen

about the stone viaduct that carried the single railway line and cut right across the fishing
beach. As a result, landings on the beach became severely restricted and conditions for the

boats quite unsafe as they were not out of reach of storm and spring tides. Numerous boats

were lost through being dashed against the viaduct and against each other. No
compensation was paid out by the CGR. These conditions required a response which took

over 15 years to materialise.

The Wynberg Times: 20 August, 1904.

STORM SHELTER FOR BOATS AT KALK BAY

In response to a request from the Council as to what means they thought would be
best for the protection of fishing boats at Kalk Bay from storms, a letter was read from the
fishermen stating that, in their opinion, the overhead hoisting of the boats was the only
practical way of securing their safety. This could be effected by fixing railway rails in a
cement foundation so as to form a sort of gridiron, up to which the boats could be swung by
a winding apparatus or pulley.
It was resolved to ask the local member (Mr. W. Runciman, M.L.A.) to visit the
spot and to afterwards interview the railway authorities who had admitted their liability to
provide some sort of security, with a view to getting the scheme carried through.

The construction of steel gantries was funded jointly by the KB-M Municipality and the

CG Railways – the Municipality selling off hill-side land to raise the necessary monies. The
job started around June 1905 and was completed a few months later, in September.

However, the gantries accommodated only 20 boats and the remainder of the fleet had to be
beached elsewhere above the high water mark. (Figs. 3.4 & 3.5).

In 1902 the False Bay Fish and Cold Storage Co. was formed. They had high expectations
that a breakwater would be built for the company’s steam trawlers the Mary and the Rex to

come alongside. The company entered into contracts with boat-owners to buy their catches.
These boats were towed to the fishing grounds by the company’s tug the Gnu.