OVERdeBERG by OVERdeBERG

0656862204

overdeberg2020@gmail.com

In hierdie uitgawe...

Vrydag 24 September 2021 Heritage Month celebrations

Skolenuus uit ons Overbergstreek

5-8

House purchased with sunken treasure

Page 12...

0656862204 (WhatsApp) overdeberg2020@gmail.com (e-pos) Kontak ons gerus!

Tourism Networking evening in Bredasdorp

Photo: Cape Agulhas Municipality/FB

Beach clean-ups in the Overberg… see & read inside...

overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Van die redakteur

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Baie dankie vir die geleentheid om die 85ste uitgawe van OVERdeBERG aan julle beskikbaar te stel. Hiérdie positiewe gemeenskapskoerant is vinnig besig om ‘n stewige staanplek te kry in die Overbergstreek. Hierdie week konsentreer ons weer op die positiewe nuus uit die streek en daar is heelwat daarvan. Hoofsaaklik loer ons die week na al die skoonmaakaksies langs ons kuslyn wat die afgelope tyd plaasgevind het en ons gaan loer in by die Bredasdorp Leeskring en ander kultuurbedrywighede in ons area. Geniet die uitgawe. Bly veilig en gesond! Groetnis tot volgende week. “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” Robert A. Heinlein

Pictured are Trustee Board Members of the Old Harbour Museum, the Cape Whale Coast Tourism Manager Frieda Lloyd, Ward 3 Councillor Kari Brice, Mayor Dudley Coetzee, Museum Staff, Minister David Maynie and the Managing Director of Formula D Interactive, Marco Rosa. Photo: Overstrand Municipality/FB

Heritage Month celebrated A delegation led by Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, paid a visit to Caledon and Hermanus to celebrate tourism month and to focus on initiatives that will encourage growth and renewal of the local tourism sector recently. The first stop was in Caledon where he and Overberg District Municipality’s Mayor, Sakkie Franken, took part in a sod-turning event of the new zipline site in Caledon. At the next stop, Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee, joined them at the Hermanus CDC, a public vaccination site. Since March 2021, Overberg Covid-19 vaccination teams across the district have administered a total of 111 585 vaccines (this includes health workers, special groups, and people over 18). ODM Mayor Sakkie Franken, who is also the Chairperson of the District Health Council, received his second dose of the vaccine. "I got vaccinated because I want to protect myself against Covid-19. The pandemic has had a huge impact on our livelihoods. It has affected all of us in some aspect of our lives. Covid-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications. The vaccine will prevent me from getting severely ill. This way, I can do more because I know I am Continued on page 3 2

overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Heritage Month celebrated Continued from page 2 protected, " Mayor Franken said. The day concluded with the re-opening of the upgraded child focused section of the Whale House Museum in Hermanus. Minister Maynier heads the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), which funded the museum project where the mysteries of these magnificent marine mammals are revealed. He and Mayor Dudley Coetzee participated in the ribbon cutting event.

The Overberg is the most vaccinated region – which is great news for tourism and economic recovery in the Western Cape. Pictured here are Deputy Mayor at Overberg District Municipality Archie Klaas, Overstrand Councillor Lindile Ntsabo, Overberg District Municipality Mayor Sakkie Franken, Overstrand Executive Mayor Dudley Coetzee, Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities David Maynier, Sr Rock and Acting medical manager: Overstrand sub-district Dr Stefanie Perold. Photo: Overstrand Municipality/FB The Minister said it is important to invest in tourism experiences (such as the family friendly whale exhibition), to ensure Hermanus and the Overstrand remain a worldclass and competitive option for travellers when global travel starts to recover. “Situated in a prime location near the harbour, the Whale House Museum has hosted a small but steady flow of visitors throughout the years. However, the museum was far from realising its full potential. And so, thanks to the funding provided, the museum has been upgraded to more enthusiastically cater for children with the development of a Whale House Mascot character guiding visitors through the exhibition with short “Did you know” messages for kids. Further an important upgrade of the submarine exhibit, additions of whale-related video games, a revamp of the whale sound exhibit and a large “build a whale” floor puzzle were conceptualised and implemented, ” he said.By strengthening the attractions in the museum for children, the aim is to attract more families, especially in the low season, which will increase the overall attraction value of Hermanus. Source: Overstrand Municipality/FB overdeberg2020@gmail.com

380 000 L dam with Rubber Sealant

The original Liquid Rubber

Click below to view

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Kombuiskuier Jacques Louw

Seekoskerrie Bestanddele:

Viskoekies Bestanddele: 1 blik sardyne in tamatiesous (grate uitgehaal) 2 groot eiers 1 eetlepel sprietuie (fyngekap) 2 eetlepels vars pietersielie (fyngekap) 1 knoffelhuisie (fyngekap) 1 eetlepel blatjang 1 eetlepel tamatiesous 1 teelepel suurlemoensap ½ koppie hawermout 2 teelepels bakpoeier ½ koppie koekmeel kookolie sout en peper na smaak Metode: Voeg dievis saam met die sous in ’n mengbak. Druk die vis fyn met ‘n vurk. Voeg die eier, pietersielie, sprietuie en knoffel, blatjang, tamatiesous, suurlemoensap, sout en peper by. Meng goed. Voeg die hawermout, bakpoeier en meel by. Meng goed. Braai eetlepels vol in ‘n pan met vlak olie oor matige hitte.

15 ml sonneblomolie 50 ml groen kerriepasta (sien resep) 8 sprietuie, fygekap 10 ml koljandersade, gerooster 10 l komynsaadjies, gekneus 1 ml fyn naeltjies 30 ml vars knoffel, fyngekap 30 ml vars gemmerwortel, fyngekap 2 lemmetjies se skil, fyngerasper 15 ml lemmetjiesap 5 ml sout 325 ml hoenderaftreksel 1 blikkie klapperroom 65 ml suiker 600 g seekos en vis soos garnale, mossels, kalamariringe, ferm wit vis in 4 cm blokke gesny, ens – alles deeeglik skooongemaak en enige doppe en koppe verwyder 250 ml murgpampoentjies, in dun ringe gesny 250 ml suikerertjies (heel in die peul) 250 ml tatsoi of spinasie, kleinergeskeur 125 ml brokkoli blommetjies 125 ml fyngekapte pietersielie 125 koljanderblare, grofgekap 65 ml kruisementblare fyngekap 15 – 45 ml mielieblom (maizena), indien nodig

Metode: Verhit olie in die pan. Braai die kerriepasta, sprietuie, koljandersade, komyn en naeltjies liggies in die olie. Voeg die knoffel en gemmer by en braai vir so 30 sekondes of tot geurig. Voeg nou die lemmetjiesap en skil, sout, aftreksel, suiker en klapperroom by. Laat dit effens afkook tot dit begin verdik, of verdik met mielieblom gemeng met bietjie water tot glad. Voeg nou die hoender, suikerertjies en brokkoli by en laat dit kook vir 4 minute. Voeg dan die res van die groente by en laat liggies kook. Sit jou seekos in. Jy kan deurgaans proe en insit wat jy nog kort. Resepte & foto’s: Viskoekies (RSG Resepte) Seekoskerrie (Marinda Kook) 4

overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Skolenuus uit die Overberg

Photo: Gurswin Prins

Op 13 Oktober word 2021 se Mnr. en Mej. Hoerskool Hermanus gekroon. Meet our Mr and Miss Hermanus High School contestants on our YouTube Channel: Hermanus High School Official Channel. Baie dankie aan Land en See hoofborg van die geleentheid. Thank you to our three beautiful judges for offering your time and expertise: Ms Caryn Pfister, Ms Efraine van Heerden and Ms Inga Mfundisi.

A visit to Khula Learning Centre by the CAM Executive Mayor & the Municipal Manager The Executive Mayor Cllr. Paul Swart and Municipal Manager Mr. Eben Phillips paid a visit to Khula Learning Centre in Bredasdorp. They were welcomed by the two friendly co-founders Hilde Reeders and Jeanine Botha. The purpose of the visit was to congratulate them on advancing to the second round of the Äänit Prize for social entrepreneurship where up to $80,000 in funding is available between one and four winners.

Photo: Gurswin Prins Hoerskool Hermanus se Izaan Steyn (Graad 11) vorm die afgelope jaar deel van ‘n toneelmentorprogram genaamd Speeltoneel, waar hulle, saam met ‘n welbekende akteur as mentor, elke maand ook opdragte gekry het en kort dramastukke moes opneem vir ontleding en terugvoer. Izaan se mentor is Desire Gardner (aktrise in onder andere Suidooster) en aan die einde van die werkswinkels is Izaan gekies om in twee toneelstukke op te tree wat op KykNet Via uitgesaai gaan word. Izaan is ook gekies om in ‘n kortfilm teenoor Vilje Maritz te speel. Hierdie opname word in Desember geskiet en sal op KykNet Via uitgesaai word. Foto: Hoërskool Hermanus/FB overdeberg2020@gmail.com

The Aanit Prize supports initiatives that can deliver positive social impact for Africa’s most marginalised populations. The competition is open to alumni of the Mandela Rhodes- and Rhodes Scholarship. In 2018, the director and co-founder of Khula Learning Centre, Jeanine Botha was awarded the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship. The Municipal Manager and Mayor wanted to know what Khula means. Jeanine explained that it is an IsiXhosa word meaning to grow or to increase. Continued on page 6 5

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Skolenuus uit die Overberg This learning centre makes provision for all learners, also those who experience barriers to learning. The Aanit Prize seek businesses or non-profit projects that will deliver social impact, that are feasible and sustainable prospects, and which are run by people with the capability to succeed. Aanit means “common work” or “joint effort” in the language Koalib, a minority language spoken in Sudan.

Photo: Gurswin Prins Continued from page 5 The verb describes it so beautifully: the ongoing process of developing in order to achieve one’s fullest potential. At Khula, they provide educational support services to homeschool learners, using IMPAQ’s products and services. IMPAQ is a CAPS-based curriculum that provides an academic framework that allows each learner to work at his or her own pace. This is especially effective for learners who require more intensive academic support.

Mayor Paul Swart wished them all of the best with competition on behalf of the municipality and residents of Cape Agulhas. Source & photos: Gurswin Prins/CAM Communication Skolenuus & foto’s kan aan ons gestuur word vir weeklikse publikasie. Ons publiseer wat ons ontvang en laat geen foto’s of berigte oorstaan totdat dit ou nuus is nie. WhatsApp: 0656862204 E-pos: overdeberg2020@gmail.com

overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Skolenuus uit die Overberg

Hoerskool Bredasdorp het op Saterdag die 18de September aan die provinsiale rondte van die BNP Paribas RCS Rising Star Tennistoernooi, in die Strand, deelgeneem. Die dogters het die kans gekry om teen Rhenish Girls High School, Curro Durbanville en Hoerskool Outeniqua te speel. Die seuns het teen Paul Roos Gimnasium, Hoerskool Bellville en Hoerskool Outeniqua gespeel. Op die foto is vlnr Juan Ferreira, Minke Terblanche, Anelmari van Niekerk, Minke du Toit, AJ Basson, Lohann Fourie, Thomas Fourie. Anja Geyer is afwesig op die foto. Foto: Hoërskool Bredasdorp/FB

In Elim the Mispah School's learners and staff honoured the memory and legacy of the late former principal Mrs. Merthel Cathleen Temmers on Friday the 17 th of September by visiting the bereaved family & a brief memorial service. Photos: Mispah School for LSEN/FB Graad 9-leerders van Hoerskool Hermanus was die 14 de September lekker besig gewees met hul praktiese Drama assesserings. Foto: Hoërskool Hermanus/FB

Op Saterdag die 18de September het 8 van ons Laerskool Bredasdorp BD-skaakspelers op Caledon gaan deelneem aan ‘n Overberg toernooi. It was great to be able to play over the board Chess after a year and a half again. Al die spelers het baie goed gedoen en 5 rondtes gespeel teen skole reg oor die Overberg. Luke Valentine did extremely well and won the gold medal for under 13. Foto: Verskaf overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Skolenuus uit die Overberg

Laerskool Bredasdorp se Zach Jooste (Gr.6), is baie bedrywig met al sy tennistoernooie waaraan hy deelneem. So tussenin al die voorbereiding vir die toetsreeks, het Zach nog tyd afgeknyp waarin hy gaan deelneem het aan ‘n Tennis Suid-Afrika toernooi in George. Zach neem deel in die O/14 afdeling, maar dit het hom nie gestuit om sy beste te lewer nie. Hy staan nie terug nie, en behaal ‘n baie mooi 5de posisie gedurende die sterk kompetisie. Foto: Laerskool Bredasdorp/FB

Vier sussies van Laerskool Bredasdorp, Hannah, Mienke, Lucia en Milla Kempen het die afgelope naweek aan ‘n 2kamp geleentheid deelgeneem by Hoerskool Milnerton, ‘n eerste in ‘n baie lang tyd. Ouderdomsgroepe het verander vanaf hierdie jaar. Milla, Gr. 2 is maar 8 jaar oud en neem aan die 0/11 ouerderdomsgroep deel en eindig 4de van die drawwers. Lucia, Gr. 4, is 10 jaar oud en neem aan die 0/13 ouderdomsgroep deel en behaal 3de plek in die swem, terwyl Hannah en Mienke, albei in Gr 6, 11 jaar oud, deelneem in die 0/15 afdeling waar Mienke 6de eindig en Hannah 10de eindig. Foto: Laerskool Bredasdorp/FB

Twee van Laerskool Bredasdorp BD’s-swemmers, Cheston Kapot (Gr. 6) en Richando Mitchell (Gr. 5) het die afgelope naweek van 18 September, deelgeneem by die Curro Hermanus swemklub se gala as lede van Agulhas Aquatics. Die doel van gala was om gala-oefening en blootstelling op te doen na ‘n lang winterprogram en geen gala’s wat kon plaas vind tydens die Covid-19 inperkingstyd nie. Swemmers kon die geleentheid gebruik om te sien waar hulle tans staan met voorbereiding vir die komende swemseisoen. Tye was wel geneem, maar daar is meer gefokus op oefening in ‘n meer ontspanne atmosfeer sonder die druk van galas waaraan leerders lanklaas deelgeneem het. Cheston en Richando het aan al die verkillende slae deelgeneem, en het baie goed gevaar in ag geneem dat hulle die hele winter in die koue geoefen het as deel van hulle persoonlike voorbereiding. Foto: Laerskool Bredasdorp/FB 8

overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Bredasdorp Leeskring kuier op Waenhuiskrans Letty-Ann Möller As ek die keuse het, luister ek in 'n keurige ou strandhuis met 'n asem-wegslaan-uitsig oor die Atlantiese oseaan na 'n boekekenner wat met diepe insig Edith Eger se internasionale wenner, The Choice, uitlê.

Zabeth Human wat die Bredasdorp Leeskring se pragtige boekbespreking op Waenhuiskrans gelei het. Foto: Letty-Ann Möller

Foto: Letty-Ann Möller Wat 'n voorreg om saam met Bredasdorp Leeskring by Zabeth Human die bevestiging van die veerkragtigheid van die mens te kry. So bewys die post-traumatiese spesialis, Eger wat in Job 32:8 en ook deur die plaaslike skrywer, Audrey Blignault, gese is. "Dis die gees in die mens wat hom insig gee." Veerkragtigheid, in 'n neutedop, is om op te staan en aan te hou en aan te hou. Hierdie skrywer was 'n Hongaarse Jodin wat Auschwitz se konsentrasiekamp oorleef het. Sy het telkens teruggedink aan haar ma se woorde, "Just remember no one can take away from you what you have put in your own mind." Hierdie uitgangspunt stem ooreen met die van haar mentor in latere jare, Victor Frankl. Edith Eger het gekies om haar traumatiese ervaring in haar post-traumatiese stresberading te benut. 'n Mens moet tot die punt kom om te vergewe. Haar slotsom is: "Time does not heal, it is what you do with time." Edith Eger woon in Californie, sy is in haar 90's en deel haar teorie oor KEUSE steeds met groot gehore. Soos een leeskringlid agterna se: "Dankie Zabeth, vir jou bespreking! Weereens besef die mens is baie sterker as wat ons dink. Sy het soos die Feniks weer uit al die seer en vernedering herrys soveel sterker en wyser. Stuur gerus nuus en foto’s uit jou deel van die Overberg aan ons vir publikasie. WhatsApp: 0656862204 E-pos: overdeberg2020@gmail.com overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Coleen (McGhie) Stapelberg demonstreer by Struisbaai se Kekkelbekke hoe om 'n planthouertjie met behulp van 'n bottel met 'n hol bodem uit koerantpapier te vou. Jy kan die plant met sy koerantomhulsel net so oorplant. Foto: Joanie Pretorius 9

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Inheemse bome hervestig deur die Overberg Eco Rangers

Thank you to everyone that joined the Infanta beach cleanup on Saturday 18 September. A total of 45kg was collected. Thank you to Grunters Restaurant for the lucky draw prizes. Along with Witsand's Cleanup on Friday a total of 76kg of trash was collected over the two days. Photos: Lower Breede River Conservancy/FB

Vrywilligers van die Overberg Eco Rangers het gedurende die afgelope paar weke, heelwat inheemse bome hervestig op ‘n terrain by die Sandberg Fynbos Reservaat. Wonderlike werk wat deur hierdie groep gedoen word om ons natuurlike Overbergse omgewing te bewaar. Foto’s: Overberg Eco Rangers/FB

overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Thank you to everyone that participated in Coastal Cleanup at Witsand on the 17 th of September. There was a good turnout of 13 people despite the weather. A total of 31kg of rubbish was collected; everything from microplastics, fishing lines to rope was recorded. Here’s to hoping there will be many more successful beach clean-ups in the area. Photo: Lower Breede River Conservancy/FB

overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Tourism Networking evening held in Bredasdorp

Photo: Cape Agulhas Municipality/FB On Friday, 17 September The Economic Development and Tourism Promotion Division hosted a Tourism Network Evening as part of their Tourism Heritage Month Celebrations. The network evening served as a platform to exchange and share ideas to advance tourism promotion to develop Cape Agulhas as a preferred tourist destination. The event was also broadcasted live on events.digitv.co.za. The Municipal Manager Eben Phillips did the opening and welcoming. The Executive Mayor Paul Swart gave an overview of Cape Agulhas and all the amazing wonders it has to offer. The guest speakers comprised of Mzanzi Travel, HeartFM, Tebogo Pin-Pin and Digicentral. Source: Cape Agulhas Municipality/FB

Photo: Cape Agulhas Municipality/FB

Photo: Cape Agulhas Municipality/FB 12

An exciting start to the 17th of September in Railton, as Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers took part in a momentous ceremony to launch a project which will change the lives of almost 1000 families in Swellendam and benefit the whole community. The project, which is set to take 18 months from Sept 2021 to Feb 2023 will deliver: 950 residential erven, 1 education facility, 5 businesses, 2 community/institutional fa-cilities, 5 uitility spaces and 4 public open spaces. This marks the start of Phase 1 which is implementing the services that the municipality installs on the plots: water, sewerage, electricity and roads. The launch of this significant housing project for the Municipality was attended by newly inaugurated Executive Mayor Francois Du Rand, and other community leaders including Father Mario Hendriks, Deputy Mayor Michael Pokwas, residents and local media. Minister Simmers said: “Today’s sod-turning is an exciting moment for the people of Railton. It is part of the tangible and life changing difference we’re making to the people of this area. I’m looking forward to witnessing how these units will become homes to our qualifying and deserving beneficiaries. “As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, safe, resilient and sustainable human settlements in an open society.” The total cost of the funding from Western Cape Government is R 76 210 875.00 Source: www.swellendam.com

Photo: Swellengram/FB overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Adoons-hulle

overdeberg2020@gmail.com

...daar doer in die Bosveld

Vrydag 24 September 2021

Photo: Overstrand Municipality/FB

No longer just plastic pollution

Environmental Management team. They were also joined by two marine biology students. Field Ranger Marco Cornelius said they covered an area of approximately 4km and 27 bags of litter were collected.

There is now a growing concern regarding the increase Abandoned fishing nets, net cuttings, crayfish traps, broken in fishing gear and nets found on the beaches. camping chairs, 20 litre plastic buckets and a lot of rope Overstrand Municipality's Environmental Management Sec- were among the items collected. Overstrand Municipality tion tackled the beach and dune areas near De Kelders in a urges the fishing community of the area to think before they clean-up effort as part of the International Beach Clean-up discard their equipment as animals find their way into the Day on Thursday, 16 September 2021. Beach stewards and abandoned nets, become entangled and suffocated in the interns from WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of gear. South Africa) working at the Hermanus Tourism Bureau Source: Overstrand Municipality/FB and Old Harbour Museum in Hermanus, joined the

overdeberg2020@gmail.com

Vrydag 24 September 2021

House purchased with Merestein silver treasure Continued from page 16 elements) were discovered in amongst the rocks on the south-west side of the island. To this day, the wind, currents and wild seas still make salvage mostly impossible there. However, from the 1970s already, equipped with modern SCUBA diving gear, the occasional calm day proved workable.

JIMMY HERBERT Retired lecturer: Stellenbosch University (1977-2013) Writer & Specialist in Maritime History and Archaeology

On such tranquil days, they were able to chisel out conglomerated areas. In turn, non-diving days were spent breaking up the recovered clumps to extract any surviving artefact content. Sadly, it turned out that it was impossible at the time for the discoverers to expect any protection of their find. Legally, after being awarded a salvage permit, others could also dive on the wreck. A free for all followed. The best recovered not only the most but also the best.

Dutch Silver Riders Enter Godfrey Chowles, a top professional diver working and living in Saldanha at the time. On any rare calm sea day, the highly experienced Chowels was able to be at the right place at the right time. On exceptional days, he recovered hundreds of a type of coin that had been part of the day-today life at the settlement at Cape Town in the early 18th Century. For a period in the early 1970s at Saldanha, one could say history was alive again. A unique transaction was negotiated. Very likely for the first time in South Africa, a home was paid for with ancient silver coins. The two history-makers were Godfrey Chowles and another sea professional, retired commander Henry Wicht. Uniquely, Chowles was purchasing a home with the treasure that he had found and recovered from the shipwreck, Merestein. This proud history-making young commercial diver was not only able to buy this modern house, but also able to pay cash. These silver coins, dating from the 17th Century, were all in financial circulation during the days of Jan van Riebeeck. So it was that an Overberger made history by purchasing a home cash! Rare late 17th Century cash! “If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree. ”

Michael Crichton overdeberg2020@gmail.com

History of the Overberg Jimmy Herbert House purchased with Merestein silver treasure

Vrydag 24 September 2021

...above and below the waves The skipper and the majority of his passengers and crew perished in the waves. Only 97 men managed to survive by making it to, and up the rocky Jutten Island coast. The next morning a few brave sailors, with the use of some floating timber, made it to shore and succeeded in reaching the Cape where they reported the tragedy.

The Merestein was an 826-ton Dutch pinas built for the chamber of Amsterdam in 1693. On her doomed trip to the East, she set sail from Texel Island on 4 October 1701. The captain was Jan Subbing, and in his charge, he had a full consignment of silver coins destined for Batavia in the East. The local ship, Wezel, immediately set sail for Saldanha. With the chests of money stored in the saloon, the salvors On its journey six months later, this Dutch ship neared the were able to ascertain the exact spot where the back part of Cape – still some 140km off – unknowingly she was trans- the ship broke off. The task at hand was to recover the treasporting money destined to be lost to man for over two and a ure and as much of the wreckage as they could. Merchanhalf centuries. When eventually found and recovered, the dise, woodwork, utensils, provisions, sails, ropes and cannon specie took off where it left off, and remarkably found its were sought. way straight back into the financial world as before. Once there, it did not take them long to conclude and declare, "Regarding the recovery of the silver, we believe it to be impossible to save … the obstacles are the violent waves which smash against this side of the island, be it windy or calm".

Merestein coins (W. Liltfed) Twenty-five years later, still desperate to recover the treasure, the Dutch East India Company commissioned the famous English salvage diver, John Lethbridge, for this purpose. Lethbridge operated with a revolutionary diving apparatus of the time. However, on arriving at Jutten Island, he Merestein approaching danger too was met with failure. Defeated by the wild seas and After a long voyage, with many on-board already very ill, strong currents, Lethbridge returned to England convinced they were in urgent need of freshwater. The skipper decid- that Davey Jones had the Merestein’s treasures in his Locker ed to make for land, and on approaching, he recognised the for eternity. entrance to Saldanha Bay. Folklore and the occasional corroded Spanish Netherlands Capt. Subbing, aware that the Company's ships regularly Ducatoon washing out on the island, kept the lure of the used this bay for a watering-place, decided to sail into the treasure alive. Nevertheless, the boxes of silver were left latter. A tricky manoeuvre at best, but with most sailor's unhindered for over two and a half centuries. On 3 March sick, downright menacing. As it was, they took the challeng- 1971, Capetonians, Bobby Hayward and his associates, loing narrow southern channel and did not make it. The cated the remains of a wreck. Large pieces of fertile archaeoMeerestein struck the southwestern point of Jutten Island, logical conglomerate (a mass composed of heterogeneous and within an hour, the ship was no more. Continued on page 15 16

overdeberg2020@gmail.com