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From: "Rosemary Dixon-Smith" <>
Subject: Re: Gold Diggers in Natal
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2004 09:46:04 +0200
References: <007501c464d7$307162e0$904c27c4@sharon>


Its perfectly possible that these diggers had chosen to come into
Natal and make the overland route to goldfields from there.
There's a wonderful pic in "Victorian & Edwardian Natal"
(Verbeek) of a wagon with a motley throng of gold seekers (plus
dog) leaving from Old Dutch Road PMB - but this is slightly later
1885 and De Kaap, their destination, is emblazoned on the side of
the wagon. Gold was prospected in Lydenburg Transvaal as early
as 1869 ( Natal men involved included BUTTON, SUTHERLAND and
MCLACHLAN.) Marabastad and Spitzkop were focussed on to begin
with, with varied success. By 1873 the Pilgrim's Rest rush began;
Graskop 1874; new fields continued to open throughout the rest of
the 70s and 80s.

The Archive CD book "South African Gold Fields Emigrant's Guide"
first published 1880 is worth a look. The usual routes to the
fields are described, distances given, and methods of transport.
Much on the gold mines in various areas and their development

Tangential note: I was reminded by this query that it wasn't
until 1886 that there was a little "rush" in Natal itself - in
the Tugela valley, on the northern border. Manager of the
syndicate was Mr H C SIMPSON of Durban. Nearest town, Greytown
was 40 miles from the new field, through bush and difficult
terrain. A mining camp sprang up overnight and nearly 50
companies were formed to work pegged claims. It was a disaster.
The gold was deeply embedded in quartz and shaft mining was
required to get it out. Then the output didn't cover expenses in
setting up the workings so the companies gradually closed down
and after only a year everyone left.

Regards
R



----- Original Message -----
From: "Sharon Warr" <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 12:32 PM
Subject: Gold Diggers in Natal


> Hi to All on the List
> I came across a passenger list from the SS Northumberland which
brought many 'gold diggers' to Cape Town from Melbourne Australia
in June 1880. They were headed for Natal. Can anyone please shed
any light on these people. The list is at
http://www.sagenealogy.co.za/Ships%20&%20Passengers.htm
> Thanks
> Sharon Warr
>
> View 1800s SOUTH AFRICAN PASSENGER LISTS at
http://www.sagenealogy.co.za/DataArchive.htm
> SCRIBES PUBLISHING for Colonial Books on CD - visit
http://www.sagenealogy.co.za/Scribes.htm
>
> ______________________________

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