Excavated boat moved to Spillers Wharf for safe keeping
This mysterious find has created a buzz, especially on social media as community members are excited to learn of the boat's history.
The old boat discovered on the Mzimkhulu River last Tuesday has been moved to Spillers Wharf, thanks to a joint effort by Gareth and Gavin Bate, Natal Recovery and Kevin Stott of Kulucrete.
It was initially found by Gareth and his father Gavin while they were dredging on the river.
The boat was then excavated and its history is currently being traced.
PHOTO: FACEBOOK.
This mysterious find has created a buzz, especially on social media as community members are excited to learn of the boat’s history.
So far, speculation is that the boat was used for leisure cruises across the river while others believe that it could be either a clinker boat or barge built by Charlie Haajem.
Meanwhile, some community members believe it could have been a barge that was used to transport lime up the river.
However, none of this has yet been confirmed.
Umbango resident, Barbara Rousseau recalls childhood memories where staff of the lime company were rowed across the river and added that from her memory, the boat in question looks like the rowing boat used in those days.
“My father, a Polish immigrant, Ted Janas, worked as General Manager of the Umzimkulu Lime Company, owned by Anglo Vaal in those days.
The lime company then was positioned on the banks of the Mzimkhulu River on the righthand side of the river going upstream, across from where the Illovo Sugar Mill is now.
The only way to get to work for all staff was to be rowed across the river from the left hand side of the river,” said Barbara.
She also recalls visiting her father at work as a little girl, and being rowed across the river.
The story behind this abandoned boat is still being developed and updates will follow once confirmation of the boat’s history is communicated.
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