NEWS & VIEWS
2 December 2020
Remembering seaplane Singapore’s Knysna lagoon landing in 1928 Plett’s favourite amateur historian Derek Frielinghaus has been sharing some fabulous stories with CXPRESS over the years. Last week, we were privy to correspondence between Derek and another old friend and contributor, Martin Hatchuel (find out what Mart can do for your businesses or pleasure at www.tourismcontent.co.za), with Knysna classic boat expert CAMERON SEARLE N amazing sight greeted Knysna residents on March 28, 1928 as Sir Alan Cobham landed the seaplane, on loan to him from the Air Ministry, in the main channel of Knysna Lagoon. He was on a 20,000 mile journey around Africa to explore the potential of air travel from the UK. The Singapore was en route from Durban and was the largest all-metal flying boat in the world, weighing in at 10 tons with a wingspan of 100 foot. Sir Cobham was accompanied by his wife, also a trained pilot, and four crew. They stayed overnight in the Royal Hotel after sev-
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eral functions and took off the next day at 7am, in a northerly direction from Brenton on Lake. Of interest are the boats that tendered to her. In 1928 I’m assuming they were either private builds or products of Thesen Industries. The clinker rowboat has fenders over the sides, possibly filled with sand, but she’s very stable with four crew. The sharp bow of the rowboat behind shows a different design, also four up, with one man to each of the two oars. The year 1928 was also when the railway bridge was constructed which proved a promising viewpoint for take-off the next
day. Railway access to Cape Town would be the end of the steamship transport business between the Cape and Knysna, just as steam had replaced sail. There is a report of another flying boat visiting Knysna in May 1934, however, it’s not clear how regular these visits became. Sunderland flying boats were to play an important role in World War II hunting for submarines on the surface and reporting on enemy shipping. A full account of Sir and Lady Cobham’s visit can be found in the excellent book entitled Knysna the Forgotten Port by Margaret Parkes and Vicky Williams.
IS IT A PLANE? Sir Alan Cobham, accompanied by his wife and four crew, landed the seaplane Singapore in the main channel of Knysna Lagoon, the town being one of his stops on a 20,000mile journey around Africa to explore the potential of air travel from the United Kingdom
BOATING HEYDAY: This handsome inboard launch must have turned heads in her day; the stern flag isn’t clear, but judging by their dress, the gentlemen aboard are possibly dignitaries - it’s 92 years later, but anyone with information on these boats are invited to email Cameron at info@ boatshowknysna.co.za and visit https://boatshowknysna.co.za/ for more information
Support Famsa’s virtual tinless street collection AMSA usually has two street collections per year, which contribute in a major way to its annual budget gaps for running costs to continue essential services to the community - enhancing relationships and emotional well-being through counselling, training and community work
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for all people. Unable to have a collection in June due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the team at Famsa has explored various options and decided on a virtual tinless street collection to reduce risk of spreading the virus. Look out for the A3 posters with Famsa’s SnapScan
information, as well as banking details of which shoppers could take a pic and EFT a donation. The virtual collection takes place for ONE day only: in Knysna on December 5 and in Plett on December 12. Also keep an eye on the Famsa Knysna Facebook page and see the advert on page 9.
CXPRESS
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