Port Alfred Off The Beaten Path

When speaking to an old fisherman on the banks of the Kowie River, he told of a black dog which lived in the water and had teeth this big. He said it was okay because the dog ate only fish - not humans. The locals call the animal Ntini. We later found out from a ranger that the animal was in fact a Cape Otter.

The Marina is a unique feature of Port Alfred with it's open-ended waterways and it's interesting arched bridges that link four of it's five islands. It is situated in a naturally sheltered basin between the hills in the east and the Kowie River in the west. The Marina lends access to many exciting activities like swimming, waterskiing, fishing, boating, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, canoeing and yachting.

1820 SETTLER'S CHURCH

Among the thick bush and sandhills on the East Bank of the Kowie River at Port Frances (now Port Alfred) only six years after the landing of the 1820 Settlers, the Rev. William Shaw built this historic little church. Services are still held here today. It has been declared a National Historical Monument and is said to be the only church that has been continuously used since erection by these stalwart settlers. The original roof was constructed of thick thatch, the walls were built of rough stones and the floor was made of dried mud.

This small house of prayer, being the only church for a great many miles, was at first used by all denominations and the settlers came long distances to worship there. They called it the "Bush Church". During the turbulent times of the Kaffir wars some of the settlers used it as a place of refuge, but it was devastated by fire. Soon it was rebuilt only to be burnt down again. Later the building was roofed with iron, the walls strengthened and for a while portion of it was used as a dwelling.

Between the picturesque old church and the neatly-kept settler's cemetery alongside, stands the ancient church bell, which came from a long forgotten shipwreck.

Now when we safely stand in this hallowed spot, with bowed heads, we silently pay tribute to the courageous settler builders of this first small isolated church, who, even during the perilous days of the Kaffir wars, managed to gather there for worship.

One day in the 1890's, while his mother was hoeing in the lands, a native boy disappeared without trace. There were numerous troops of baboon in the vicinity and it is generally believed that the little black boy was stolen by one of them.

Several years later some men watching baboon in the krantzes saw to their amazement that one, although running on all fours, looked exactly like a naked native boy. The men gave chase and eventually managed to capture him. He was very vicious and whilst screeching baboon-like cries, bit and struggled like a frenzied wild animal.

The men bound him but were perplexed as to what to do with this ferocious human boy. They decided to take him to the Police Station and from there he was taken to the mental hospital.

The Baboon Boy, aged about 12 years, was too uncivilized and animal-like for the hospital authorities to handle, so a farmer living in the Bathurst district, a Mr. George Smith, offered to take charge of him.
Mr. Smith, who called the Baboon Boy "Lucas", found he had taken on a very difficult task. At first he had no way of conversing with Lucas, who acted more like an untamed animal than a human being, barking and making gutteral and chattering noises like his former foster parents.

Lucas became very attached to Mr. Smith and followed him around like a dog, but he still acted like a baboon, snatching a bone from the dog and gnawing it himself, robbing mealie lands and eating birds. He also collected berries, locusts and insects, including scorpions and would sit on his haunches, ape-fashion.

After a time, this once-wild boy learned some English words and was able to do simple work on the farm. In his primitive way he told about his life with the baboons and how a big scar on his head was caused by a kick from an ostrich when robbing a nest.

This famous Baboon Boy, whom the newspapers called "Tarzan of South Africa", never knew that his story was flashed around the world as headline news. He died in the Settlers Hospital, Grahamstown in 1948.

THE GHOST OF WESLEY HILL

On a summer's day long ago two policemen were escorting a convict to gaol. Their captive was chained at the ankles to two cannon balls and manacled at the wrists, so it was thought quite safe to leave him in their cart while they quenched their thirst at the local inn.

The day was very hot and the men spent a long time in the tavern. Meantime the prisoner, with great effort, managed to struggle from ht e cart and, picking up the cannon balls, tried to escape but his progress was greatly retarded by these burdens so he was unable to get far before the alarm was given.

When called upon to halt, he did not heed. Perhaps due to the clanking of his chains, he did not hear. He was fired upon, dropping dead just before reaching the crest of Wesley Hill, where, it is said, on clear moonlit nights his bent ghostly form may be clearly seen and the eerie clanking of his chains heard as he forever desperately attempts to escape.

THE FIRST PINEAPPLES
Grown near Port Alfred

In the 1870's Mr. Charles Purdon, a farmer from the Bathurst district, near Port Alfred, travelled to Grahamstown by ox wagon and, whilst there, had his hair cut. When in the barber's chair he saw a row of pineapple tops set on the brims of jars of water. These roused his curiosity and he was told by Mr. Green, the barber, that they were from pineapples sent as a gift from Natal. Mr. Purdon was so interested that Mr. Green gave him a few to try on his farm. They grew very well and were soon bearing luscious golden fruit, some of which, it is said, sold in Grahamstown for five shillings each.

Other farmers heard of Mr. Purdon's success and were impressed by the fact that the plants had withstood the drought and needed no irrigation. This encouraged many to plant on a large scale with the result that in a few years the supply exceeded the demand and the price slumped to 1d. per dozen. Today, however, with the vast export trade and the South African jam and canned fruit factories, the position is secure and although millions more pines are grown, the demand exceeds the supply.

During the 1870's pines were brought to Port Alfred by sailing vessel from Natal and were planted by Mr. Joseph Wood on his farm "Mansfield" a few miles from Kowie.

Thus began our flourishing pineapple industry. Pineapple lands can be seen from the town and during February this year approximately 1,000 tons of pines were railed from Port Alfred alone.

This magnificent marina, of which the Halyards Hotel features as the centre - piece, comprises of five man - made islands for exclusive residential development.

Built alongside the Marina is Port Alfred's small boat harbour, which adds a positive nautical flavour to the resort.

The harbour provides fine facilities for ocean - going yachts andfishing vessels.

As most locals of this quaint little town know, there are many a challenge that the Kowie River holds,one of my best experiences is fishing along the river,it goes to show what can be expected from these waters.