Page 10 - Bulletin 4 2000

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The introduction of the Kalk Bay Tollgate.

The road journey from Kalk Bay to Simons’s Town was most difficult for, besides the large boulders

and the steep slopes, the narrowness was such that ox-wagons were unable to pass one another. If the
south-easter or north-wester blew at gale force the sea would cover the road. Near Elsies River

(Glencairn) quicksands caused considerable peril as did the lake at Sandvlei which was often
impassable after heavy rains. The strain on oxen caused the D. E. I. C. much expense and the ferrying

of goods from Kalk Bay therefore remained a viable option for many decades.

An example of the problem of road transport is illustrated by the fact that it required a team of 40

oxen to transport one large ship’s mast from Cape Town to Simon’s Town. The sea route alternative

from Table Bay was no easier as the ships often had to wait for anything up to two weeks before
favourable weather conditions prevailed.

The year 1764 was an extremely bad one for wagon transport. Many of the Company’s draught

animals died. 200 extra oxen at 8 rix dollars a piece had to be bought just to keep the Cape Town /
Simon’s Town transport teams going. The prices of wagons and animals increased sharply and by

1786 were disturbingly high. The cost of maintaining Simon’s Town as a winter anchorage increased

with each year. It was therefore decided in 1792 to introduce a tollgate at Kalk Bay whereby users of
the road would contribute to its improvement and maintenance. The charges were, a coach – 6

schillings, a four-wheel wagon – 4 schillings, smaller vehicles – 2 schillings, and a riding horse – 1
schilling. The success of this tollgate was limited and after the British Occupation of 1795 the road

was still in poor condition.

Whaling in Kalk Bay under the D. E. I. C.

Jan Cruywagen and Jacobus Kirsten were the first local entrepreneurs to hunt whales in False Bay.

This was thanks to a concession granted by the D. E. I. C. Cruywagen asked in November 1792 that a

shed be erected on the Point in Kalk Bay for the rendering of whale oil. The Postholder (Resident) in
Simon’s Town, however, refused to grant it as he would find it difficult to ensure that the strict

conditions of whaling were being adhered to. The building was erected eventually in Fish Hoek.
Cruywagen and Kirsten, however, landed whales at Kalk Bay. The carcasses were then cut up before

being hauled over to the Fish Hoek shed for boiling. A condition of their concession was that whales
could not be left on the beach for more than four days, and the offal had to be dumped at sea at a

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