The History of Gordon’s Bay

So… What’s in a name?

By: IRMA O’DONOVAN

On old maps dating back to the early days of the Cape Colony, our little bay is variously referred to as “Visser’s Baay” ( 1673), “ de Vishoek” (1676) and “ Combuys”  – evidence that it was known as a place where fresh water, fish and game could be found. Subsequently it was also called Vishoek, Vissershoek and Fish Hoek. We don’t know exactly when the name Gordon’s Bay was finally settled upon, but we do know that the name Gordon commemorates Robert Jacob Gordon, the Commandant of the Dutch troops at the Capefrom 1777 – 1795. He was a remarkable man with an enquiring mind and wide interests.

Although of Scottish descent, Robert Gordon’s allegiance was with the Netherlands. He joined the Dutch Light Dragoons as a cadet in 1753 and enrolled at the University of Harderwijkin 1759, where he studied in the humanities and proved to be of exceptional intelligence and diverse interests. He joined the Dutch East India Company, rising quickly to the rank of Colonel and commanding the Cape garrison.

He went on more expeditions than any other 18^th century explorer of southernAfrica and kept journals and sketch books to record his travels. He was responsible for naming the Orange River, introducing Merino sheep to theCapeColony and for discovering the remains of Bartholomeu Dias’s cross at Kwaaihoek in 1786. Fluent in French, Dutch and English, Robert Gordon also spoke Hottentot and Xhosa!

Robert Gordon’s first trip into the interior( 1773 – 1774) was on foot, to explore the mountains between Cape Town and False Bay and it was then that he visited our little bay and left his name with us – a worthy namesake indeed!

SOURCES:

PEGGY HEAP – THE STORY OF HOTTENTOTS HOLLAND

INTERNET

For web browsers who are interested in reading more, there is a most interesting website which you can visit at: http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/age/people/Gordon/

GB – Gordon’s Bay or General Botha?

By: IRMA O’DONOVAN

The first thing anyone approaching Gordon’s Bay sees is the giant anchor of whitewashed stones and the initials GB on the mountainside overlooking the harbour. The rocks that form these were originally painted by students in 1949, a year after the General Botha SA Nautical College was established and took up a lease at the Old Crash Boat Station. The initials do not stand for Gordon’s Bay, as is commonly thought, but for General Botha, the original name of the Naval College.

General Louis Botha (1862 – 1919) was the first premier of the Union of South Africa, having played major roles in the early politics of the country. He was a hero of the Anglo-Boer War and played a big part in negotiations with Lord Kitchener that eventually led to the Peace of Vereeniging.

The 1914 Rebellion was a source of great sorrow and worry to him, but he quelled the revolt and led the attack on German South West Africa that ended successfully in 1915.

Overseas he was treated with great respect and he signed the Peace Treaty at Versailles on behalf of the Union of South Africa. He died shortly afterwards.

The South African Naval College was formally established on April 1^st, 1966 and in 1987 the SA Navy granted permission that the anchor sign could also be the emblem of Gordon’s Bay. This officer training centre adjacent to the old harbour and yacht marina defines the older part of Gordon’s Bay, which is often referred to as the “Riviera of theCape.”

Incidentally, the first block of the old harbour was laid in 1937 by Albertus Brand Faure, the man who later builtFaure Marine Drive. A gold pound was placed in that first block as a lucky charm!

Today, the mission of the Naval College is still to provide quality Naval Officers through dynamic training. The choice process of   cadets who   may qualify for training is rigorous, as Rear Admiral J.E. Louw quoted in his opening address at the Navy Open Day held in Gordon’s Bay on 2 October: ‘Great care must be taken in the selection of boys in order that the ship shall earn a good name amongst  the seafaring men of the world……wherever he may present himself.” Although these words were written in 1922, nothing has changed, except that nowadays girls may also be selected as cadets.

The Open Day was held with the purpose of providing the naval cadets an opportunity to interact with the local community, show the skills acquired during training and to portray a positive image of the College within the Community of theHelderbergBasin.

The Open Day was a huge success and once again proved that the South African Navy is the People’s Navy.

The residents of Gordon’s Bay are proud of “ our Navy”.

SOURCES:

Official Navy Report: Dream Africa website: Ensiklopedie van Suidelike Afrika – Eric Rosenthal

Information supplied by: Gordon’s Bay Reviews