THE HISTORY OF MELKBOSCH STRAND

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Just off the picturesque coast of  Melkbosch Strand, rises the historically rich site of Blaauwberg Hill. This name was first recorded two centuries ago. It was dubbed this because of  the color of the hill when seen from the approaching ships. Its historical association stems from a battle which changed the history of our country, if not of more than one country - and perhaps of the world.  

Blaauwbergstrand was mainly populated by peoples who lived off the land, the Strandlopers, or by farmers who either claimed land or were awarded land by the governments at the Cape of Good Hope. Also by the Hottentot People - previously proud tribes living off hte land and farming goats, sheep and cattle.

In 1806, Melkbosstrand already had its foreshore - albeit only the Damhuis (Dam House). This structure still exists today  on the Melkbos beachfront, but without the dam. (See photos below)

It is this dam the British troops swarmed to for water, when they set foot on this shore on 6/8 January 1806.  

THE BATTLE OF BLAAUWBERG

A little mock battle, and various other tactics were employed by the British fleet of 56 ships - under command of Popham and Sir David Baird.

When the fleet with troops on board, sailed to the north of Robben Island in January, 1806, the Commander, Sir David Baird, intended to land at Blaauwberg. He  found the surf running very high, so had to abandon his plan. He sent a couple of ships on to Saldanha Bay, intending to follow with the others the next day, and so march the troops from there. On the following day the waters were calm. After at some point also faking a mock attack in the direction of the current Table Bay Harbor; there were eventually better conditions for the invasion of the enemy. So he ran one of the smaller craft ashore at a spot then known as Losperds Bay. This is slightly to the north of Melkbosch Point where Melkbosstrand is now established. Unfortunately one boat, with Highlanders, sunk and the men drowned.

Imagine sand dunes, so many ships at sea, and Dutch farmer snipers on horseback storming towards the invaders and firing at the enemies' superior numbers.

The firing power of the cannons on board the ships chased them back. These could shoot 1,5 kilometers' distance, and would later again play a big part in the battle. The boats landed, and the men helped them to water at the Dam House. It was the intention of General Janssens, the Dutch Governor and Commander of the Force, to hurry his men up to the summit of Blaauwberg, and so impede the landing and advance of the British. At dawn of the 8th January, the British had already crossed over the hill and were forming up in line on the other side, ready to advance. For 5 months these bodies were starved from anything fresh at sea. The British troops ravaged the Blaauwberg farm, as the dam at the Dam House was too little to serve all of them quick enough. Further north, many farms were similarly ravaged by troops working their way south from Saldanha. Sir David Baird  kept his men in line for some distances, when he divided them into two and sent the left wing on first, which began to advance in echelon. Janssens' army was a composite one; it contained Dutch troops, burgher militia, a regiment of Waldeckers and some French soldiers, with his artillery in the hands of the Javanese or Malays. The latter were excellent soldiers. The Dutch farmers on horseback were deadly and brave snipers and as the British advanced, Janssens had to call them back. For some time they stayed put, firing at the advancing enemy. Amongst the troops was also the well-trained Hottentot Corps.

The British numbers are estimated at between 9000 men and the Cape defenders at 2000. In those days fighting took place at what we would consider fairly close quarters. The British dragged their field cannons with them; imagine the Scottish Highlanders in sea sand, across dense undergrowth, crossing the neck by Blaauwberg, drawing heavy war machinery along.....in the heat of summer!

When the artillery of the attackers opened fire and the first shots fell amongst the Waldeckers, they were a rent-an-army lot, who turned and ran, thereby opening up the centre of the defense line. This seemed to be fatal. Paintings - serving as proof that Janssens whipped these deserters, show him on a rearing horse - whip heaved in action. He tried all he could to reconstruct the line, but the attackers were in larger force and he eventually retreated. The soldiers stayed next to Rietvlei Lake. The next day the next battled ensued, but with help from the cannons, which Popham cleverly employed - firing from the ships, the local army had to flee again.

Not to put the centre of town at risk by fleeing in that direction, Janssens stayed the night at Maastricht, a farm today still at the top of Conterman's Kloof, belonging to the previous governor. Thereafter they fled to Meerlust Farm, another well-known farm today, then owned by Captain Myburgh and today still belonging to the Myburgh family.

Here, the Waldeckers tried to apologize to Janssens, but is said that he kicked them down a stair-case. Janssens and his troops then left for the Hottentots-Holland Mountains, but in the face of more British troops descending from Uitenhage, he decided to surrendered.

 It was not a bloodless battle, for lives were lost on both sides, although not in great numbers. Many were wounded. An estimate of 300 killed and wounded on the Batavian side and Baird estimated his losses at 700 killed and wounded. The British marched on towards Cape Town over sandy and dry country, encamping at Riet Valley that night, tired and worn out with the morning’s fighting, and the advance over ground which was new to men from Europe and under a blistering hot sun. A few days afterwards Cape Town capitulated.

A treaty was signed under a tree in Woodstock, which is a familiar landmark today. A plaque existed there till recently, before it was stolen, probably for the value of melted copper.

The treaty was unique in that it favored the local soldiers - a result of the respect the British had for Janssens.

Had the local soldiers known how tired the British were during battle in the field - that some had died from pure exhaustion, they might have attacked again. Current structures regarding culture, judicial systems and more, are results of this battle. The battle also had an impact on the battle between the British and French in the East.

Dan Sleigh – South African write/historian says something to the effect of: if a battle-ground, such as this one behind Blaauwberg existed in Europe, it would have been hailed hole territory.

This year this important historical incident was for the first time treated with the respect it deserves - although a small step, it is a big step in the direction of a nation discovering and honoring its roots; especially the positive part of it; that of the protective attitude of the people of the Cape; protecting what is theirs in unison.  

DEVELOPMENT OF MELKBOSSTRAND

The Cape Lands Development Company LTD developed Melkbosstrand, then known as Melkbosch Strand, in 1924. At that stage the Damhuis, a lovely Cape Dutch homestead, and a few other holiday houses, a Post Office and a café has already been built. 600 plots were laid out.

There was a natural spring at the Damhuis with a large dam almost where the current parking area is situated next to Beach Road.

The Cape Lands Development Company LTD supplied a cement building block plant and building costs were greatly reduced compared to others areas.

An Estate Agency, managed by J Commaille, were operating at the entrance of the town; the office building being constructed from these cement blocks, with the intension to give exposure to the product and the Cape Lands Development Company LTD.

The Cape Lands Development Company LTD also completed a new water scheme which, together with the two natural springs, supplied crystal clear water to the town and its households. 

The development consisted of Mostert Street, Commaille Street and, with no formal road, where the current Beach Road is. It was meant to be a holiday village.

Provision for only two "hard roads" were made, being the current Mostert Street and 11th Avenue.

Already at this stage, 'boere' sport was held every year on the 2nd of January and was famous for its horse events under the patronage of influential farmers, mainly from the Malmesbury area.

Although safe open-sea bathing facilities existed along the whole beach of Melkbosstrand, nature provided a natural swimming bath in the shape of a miniature lagoon at the southern end of the township, almost where the Fire Station is situated today. Into this, one could dive at high tide and have a brisk swim.

Practically every street has been planted with gum, pine, cypress and oak trees to create a green township. Tree planting has also been carried out on the fringe of the turf at the foreshore.

Tennis courts were built on Beach Road together with a big beachfront recreational hall, where picnic dances became very popular.

Only after the development of Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and the building of the West Coast Road (R27), Melkbos developed rapidly into a residential township. This occurred when Kaptein's Bay was developed and thereafter Duynefontein.

Kreef was nog volop in die sestiger jare toe die kreeffabrief wat geleë was waar die brandweer tans is, baie florerend besigheid gedoen het.

So onlangs soos 1970 het Melkbos slegs gestrek vanaf 1 ste laan tot 19 de laan en was MELKBOS  'n rustige stranddorpie met die huidige twee kafees in sesde laan en een kafee (Kreef kafee) in Kusweg - waar Sharkbay Sentrum tans is.

Die laerskool was geleë langs Otto Du Plessis waar die Pre- Primêre skool nou is -  met ongeveer 27 kinders en drie onderwysers. Die hoof was vir jare Mnr Louw, wat die hele laerskool moes behartig in drie klaskamers.

Desembermaande was die strand gepak met vakansiegangers wat veral in die karavaanpark langs Kusweg, waar die park langs die parkeerterrein tans is, geleë was. Talle foto's bestaan van tente wat op die bestaan van tente wat op die strand opgeslaan is. 

A dune which hosted a fresh water dam at its top, had to make way for the new shopping centre, while the dam which served as a vantage point for the 'Strandlopers' stock guard, has disappeared under a big housing complex.

With a squatter camp right next door, and rubber ducks and water bikes taking the place of men on horseback, and houses encroaching from all round, today is probably still reminiscent of then; but for the one language growing in stature - that's English, and the two types of bush which grows here gladly - one wanted, and the other not - Monatoka and Port Jackson.

Still under construction

More photos will follow

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