‘Barging’ way back in time on Mzimkhulu river
The wooden barges (assumed at first to be pulled by cattle, then tractors and then by motorised boats) could carry up to 16 tons.
A barge used to transport lime up and down the Mzimkhulu River in the early 1900s has recently been discovered.
This rare find has stirred much excitement and interest among South Coast history lovers.
The ancient barge was washed further down the river by the recent floods, after it was wedged between the rocks at St Helen’s Rock for some 50-odd years.
Excited about the news, kayak enthusiasts Mark Lawlor and Lana van Zyl embarked on a mission to visit the barge last Saturday morning.
“Sadly, the rail tracks and sleepers that were in the same area were washed away,” said Lawlor, adding that it was quite a trek to get to the wooden boat which is now lying upside down on the side of the river bank, partially submerged in the water.
While upstream they also visited the famous St Helen’s Rock.
According to archives (which the Herald managed to view), Mr T Dicken maintained the barges and Mr L Haajem built the barges on the river bank.
Black and white photographs of the barge taken in 1948 show a fully loaded vessel at the lime works, anchored upstream from the sugar mill.
The wooden barges (assumed at first to be pulled by cattle, then tractors and then by motorised boats) could carry up to 16 tons.
In keeping with the hand written notes about the barge; ‘it was a two-and-a-half hour journey to the South Wharf at high tide, to provide deep water over the sandbanks, near the sugar mill.’
Last year, a very old boat, which is thought to have been used for leisure cruises or to transport lime up the river was discovered.
It was initially found by Gareth Bate and his father Gavin while they were dredging on the river.
It has since been placed at Spiller’s Wharf for the public to view.
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