During December 2013, I received a fabulous book from a business acquaintance. Titled ‘Durban Harbour’, this special souvenir issue tells the fascinating history of Durban Harbour from 1835 to the present day. It reveals the extraordinary engineering skills and resilience that shaped Durban harbour into the largest and busiest harbour on the African continent and a major player in Global trade.
Recently another milestone was achieved for Durban harbour with the arrival in Durban of the largest container ship to dock in South African waters the MSC Sola – a giant of 131,771 tons and capable of carrying 11,660 containers, with a length of three and a half rugby fields. The ship’s visit to Durban was as a result of the widening and deepening of the port in 2010. See post – Durban awaiting arrival of 11, 660 TEU container ship.
But the story of Durban as a viable deepwater port is weaved in rich history and as Durban harbour approaches its second century – it is also time to toast the entrepreneurs for their innovation and the workers, harbour pilots, tug and train crews who played such a vital part in the day to day operations of the harbour.
For more information regarding the publication, and details of purchasing it visit the author, Stuart Freedman’s website – History of Durban Harbour.
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Does anyone know about the tower (or whatever it was) that sat on top of the bluff? I seem to remember it had a signaling function for incoming ships – up to three black “balls” could be raised on this tower and were visible from a long distance away
Hi Mike, I am trying to find a copy of the book in your post. Do you know where I could purchase one? My great grandfather was a diver who worked on the harbour between 1891 – 1902. Any help you could give about how to find a copy would be amazing. Many thanks, Michael
Good Day Michael,
I have been unable to trace ny availability for this book. My apologies
Regards,
Mike