Page 14 - KBHA Bulletin 16

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the Island were variable. Shipments of sheep reached an average of 120 animals per

month by 1820 but this was reduced to 40 after Napoleon’s death. Beef cattle were being
shipped at the rate of 20 per month by 1819, but numbers were greatly reduced after

1821.

Fodder grains, specifically barley and oats, had proven difficult to grow on the Island and
regular and increased shipments were now required and led to expansion of the Cape

grainlands. Shipments were made from both Table Bay and Port Beaufort at the mouth of

the Breede River (where ships of up to 200 tons could cross the bar) which was
conveniently close to the Bredasdorp and Swellendam farming districts. Pre (1815) and

post-incarceration (1825) tonnages amounted to around 240 tons annually but jumped to

over 500 tons at the peak in 1820. (Arkin, 1965: 299).

Compared with the difficulty of sourcing sufficient numbers of sheep and cattle, wine
was readily available and in quantity from Constantia. Demand from the garrison

increased dramatically after 1815, trebling from 50,000 to over 150,000 gallons of “Cape
Madeira” (white wine) annually; the enlarged civilian population raised consumption

significantly in that sector; and Napoleon’s household also ordered wine. (Table 2.)

Transport problems prevailed here, too, particularly hiring sufficient wagons to move the
casks to the navy vessels at Simon’s Bay. It was feared the delays would lead to

‘privation’ on the Island and the prospect of mutinous behaviour there was not ruled out.
In Napoleon’s household Constantia wine was used liberally in cooking and was also

consumed by the domestic staff. He was apparently a modest drinker and preferred claret,

and diluted his wine with water; furthermore, he and his officers drank only French or
Spanish liquor. (Arkin, 1964: 200 & 211.)

During this time the value of wine consignments to the Island far surpassed the total

value of all its other imports. At the peak more than one quarter of Cape wine exports

were destined for St. Helena, the remainder going to Britain, so the Island trade gave a
significant fillip to this, the Cape’s most important export item by value. (By 1838 it

would contribute 40% of total Cape export value.)