Die laat-Victoriaanse Mosselbaai 1870-1902

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The development of Mossel Bay was subject to the opening of passes accross thetwo mountain ranges between the coast and the interior of the country. As theharbour gradually became more accessible to its hinterland, the Karoo, importsand exports increased. The granting of municipal status in 1852 precipitated aperiod of growth and by 1871, the town even had its own newspaper.Until the mid eighties, Mossel Bay was an arid town with little vegetation andscarcely enough water for domestic use. The serious shortage of water hinderedthe inhabitants in almost every way. With the completion of a water scheme in1886 whereby water was received from the Outeniqua mountains, not only was thetown embellished by the planting of trees but the drains could be cleaned andthe fires successfully extinguished.The Town Council had to deal with squatters, roaming dogs and other strayanimals. The general hygienic conditions left much to be desired. The drainswere dirty, sanitation poor, dumping sites unfavourably situated and until1891, animals were slaughtered in town. Typhus and Bubonic Plague broke outin the late nineties. The town had its own doctor and pharmacist, while adentist made sporadic visits. A Cottage Hospital was established.The crime rate was low and the judge of the Circuit Court often had no criminalcases to hear. Commercially a market was established and an unusually highnumber of wholesalers began trading in the bay. Three large hotelsaccommodated the many visitors. Travelling ph.o tographers visited regularly andat one stage Mossel Bay even had its own resident photographer.The Mossel Bay Advertiser made an important contribution in influencing public opinion and in participating in the struggle for obtaining a rail link. Thisstruggle was the major issue of the time. The link was frequently promised butit was only the last assurance in 1895 that was ultimately honoured.Major development took place in Shipping: Steam cranes and steam tugs wereacquired and large oceanliners called, first fortnightly and then weekly. Inso doing, regular contact was established with England. However the CoodeReport found that the bay was becoming shallower and for this reason harbourdevelopment was rejected. Immense dissatisfaction prevailed after steam shipsbegan calling in on Sundays, thereby forcing the inhabitants to work on theSabbath. With the completion of the railway lines linking Port Elizabeth andCape Town to the diamond fields, these ports gradually took over the tradegenerated by the Karoo. The services of the steamship companies were curtailedin the nineties resulting in diminished trade. At the end of the decade, itwas announced that the harbour would receive a new breakwater and wharf. Thenumber of shipwrecks were relatively small in comparison with other places.After the completion of the Kleinbosch Water Scheme in 1886, the town wasmarketed as a watering place and health resort. Many holiday makers flocked tothe bay to swim in the natural bathing place at the Point. Farmers from theinterior began to camp near the beach at Diepkloof. After the introduction ofa halfday holiday on Saturdays, sporting activities became popular and sportsclubs were established. Societies enabled participants to spend their leisuretime in a constructive manner.The contribution of the church was large. A few ministers held their posts forlengthy periods and left their stamp on the community. Education wascharacterised by the struggle between the state supported schools and those runby the church. Although small, the schools produced outstanding students.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University