Page 13 - Bulletin 1 1997

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Van der Stel’s visit, and the later establishment of Simon's Town as the winter anchorage for

ships in 1741, placed Kalk Bay on the map and a small fishing community of mixed origins
developed there: indigenous people, freed slaves originally from Bengal, Ceylon and Batavia,

Filipinos, and deserters from ships in Simon's Town and Cape Town (Kirkaldy, 1988.)

The isolation of the area was reduced progressively by the introduction of a daily omnibus

service to Cape Town in 1851 and subsequent improvements in transportation. This made it

popular among parliamentarians and their circle, numerous religious denominations, as well
many wealthy Cape Town families. Their arrival added another layer to the social structure of

the place as well as larger and more luxurious buildings.

Throughout these times of change the little bay remained famous for its fishing in Die

Bloudam from boats launched from the small beach, and powered by oar and sail.

Commercial whaling had begun in 1806 but over-exploitation severely reduced its
significance by 1871. Whalebones, some of which can still be seen, were used in a number of

ways: as property boundary markers, garden fences made of ribs, walls incorporating

vertebrae, steps and stairs from the shoulderbones. From the 1870s line-fishing took over as
the dominant activity, with the fishery employing some 200 men and being the main supplier

of fish to the Cape Colony (Kirkaldy, 1988.)

The boats, each weighing about a ton and varying in length between 5m - 7,5m, were

propelled by a combination of oars and a spritsail with jib. Sand, in 200lb bags was carried as

ballast and large stones, known as Bubangbatu, were used as anchors. As a rule the boats set
off for the fishing grounds between 03h00 – 05h00 and returned between 11h00 – 13h00.

While they sometimes fished as far afield as Hangklip and Cape Point they usually remained

8 - 16 kms from the shore. If the weather turned bad in the Cape Point area they came ashore
at Diaz Beach or Buffels Bay, where they might stay several days while depending for food

on the lighthouse or Smith's Farm.

The fishing routine was a strenuous one which had numerous consequences for the men. The

man-handling of the heavy boats on and off the beach led to physical strain and frequently to
permanent injury. Common ailments were rickbacks, strangulation of the guts, and heart

strain. These were aggravated by sleep deprivation and exposure to cold and wet conditions