Passing of SAMHSEC Founder Member Geoff Hamp-Adams
We regret to record the passing of SAMHSEC founder member Geoff Hamp- Adams.
New member Gavin Withers
Welcome aboard to new SAMHSEC member Gavin Withers.
SAMHSEC meeting 11 November 2024
SAMHSEC’s 11 November meeting opened with the Act of Remembrance and included reading the names SAMHSEC members who have died.
Pat Irwin presented an illustrated talk on the Signal Towers of the Eastern Cape, which were built in the 1840s.
The presentation began with a brief overview of the development of long-distance communication prior to the advent of electricity and electronic pulses, when all such efforts depended on either light or audible sound. From the earliest recorded times, various methods have been employed, ranging from bonfires, smoke signals and homing pigeons to drums, bugles and flags, all of which became more sophisticated over time. Examples in Europe and Asia were to be found among the early Sumerian and Mesopotamian civilisations, as well as the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese.
By the 18th Century, flags, in one form or another, were becoming widely used as a means of communication. One system, which in some respects became universal, was that of ‘Nautical Flags’ which conveyed, individually or in combination, specific meanings. It is still in some use today. This was followed by the development of Semaphore, an alphabet signalling system which could be applied by waving hand-held flags in different positions. It was this system which, using a mechanical device with ‘arms’ to simulate flags, was used with some success in Europe during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.
The context of the conceptualisation and building of the towers, specifically for signalling purposes, was the period between the Sixth and Seventh Frontier Wars (in 1834-36 and 1846-47 respectively). The period was one of relative peace, but there was extensive cattle reiving and regular foraging across the border in both directions, usually in small raiding groups. As, at the time, the only means of long- distance communication available to the British Army was by runner or mounted messenger, it was considered that a series of signal towers connected by line of sight to each other and using Semaphore, could convey messages informing the military headquarters on cross border incursions much more rapidly
Three fortified points already existed viz. Fort Selwyn in Grahamstown (in close proximity to military headquarters), completed in 1836; Fort Peddie on the eastern side of the Fish River, built in 1835; and the Martello Tower, built at Fort Beaufort in 1837. The planned Signal Towers were constructed in lines north and east from Fort Selwyn to these two fortifications. There were originally intended to be ten towers.
Constructed of stonework, each tower was to be surmounted by a wood and iron structure with ‘arms’ to represent flags. They were to be manned by an NCO and three or four men. They were three stories high: food and ammunition were stored on the ground floor, the middle floor provided accommodation for the men, and the open top floor was for the signalling apparatus. There was no provision for storing water, which was to be delivered every second day.
Once they had been built, a number of problems became apparent. Most of the towers did not have mutually clear horizons which made it difficult to read signals. This was compounded by the effect of refractions – as the day warmed up, images became hazy and difficult to read. There was also often mist on the hilltops. The telescopes issued were also reported to be of indifferent quality. The amaXhosa warriors were canny enough to take these factors into account and use them to their advantage. Within a month of the outbreak of the Seventh Frontier War, all the towers had either been abandoned by the British or burnt by the amaXhosa.
This is a classic example of not being able to transfer successful technology to an environment different to that in which it was initially conceived.
Pat’s presentation is in the SAMHS Zoom library.
SAMHSEC RPC 25 November 2024
In session 1, Dylan Fourie presented the Ni'ihau Incident, a little-known but significant event following the attack on Pearl Harbor, which illustrates the complex interplay of loyalty, fear and prejudice during World War 2.
On 7 December 1941, Airman Shigenori Nishikaichi, a Japanese pilot from the Pearl Harbor attack, crash-landed on Ni.ihau, a small, privately owned Hawaiian island thought by the Japanese Navy to be uninhabited. Native Hawaiian Hawila Kaleohano was the first to encounter Nishikaichi and acted decisively by confiscating the pilot’s pistol and documents, which contained critical military information. Yet, adhering to Hawaiian traditions of hospitality, he and other locals treated the pilot kindly, even celebrating his survival.
Communication proved challenging as Nishikaichi spoke little English, prompting locals to seek interpreters among the few residents of Japanese ancestry. While Ishimatsu Shintani refused to help, Yoshio Harada and his wife, Irene, aligned themselves with the downed pilot. This decision, possibly driven by sympathy or cultural ties, led to escalating tensions. The Haradas and Nishikaichi plotted to recover the pilot’s papers, alarming the Native Hawaiians. Matters worsened when news of the Pearl Harbor attack reached Ni'ihau via a battery-operated radio, confirming the pilot’s role in the resulting devastation.
Attempts to resolve the situation peacefully failed. The US Military's imposition of a naval blockade prevented the island’s owner from arriving to assist. The Haradas, siding with Nishikaichi, helped him arm himself with the downed aircraft’s weapons and wreak havoc, including setting fire to Kaleohano’s house in an attempt to destroy the documents. Villagers fled to remote areas for safety, but some, including Ben and Ella Kanahele, stayed to confront the escalating threat.
The crisis reached a dramatic peak when Nishikaichi and Harada captured the Kanaheles, threatening them with death if Kaleohano was not located. Despite being shot three times, Ben Kanahele, demonstrating extraordinary resilience, overpowered Nishikaichi and threw him against a stone wall. Ella Kanahele then killed the pilot by striking him with a rock, ending the immediate threat. Harada, in despair, killed himself with a shotgun.
The aftermath of the incident was far reaching. The Kanaheles were hailed as heroes, with Ben receiving a Medal for Merit and a Purple Heart. However, Ella received no formal recognition for her role. Irene Harada and Shintani were taken into custody, with Irene imprisoned for nearly three years, although no charges were filed against her. Shintani later returned to Ni.ihau, where he became a US citizen in 1960.
The Ni'ihau Incident fuelled suspicions and prejudice against Japanese Americans, serving as a justification for the mass internment of over 100,000 individuals. While the incident revealed the potential for divided loyalties in extraordinary circumstances, it remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of wartime hysteria and racial profiling. Today, it stands as a sobering reminder of the human cost of fear, distrust and the sacrifices made by ordinary individuals in extraordinary times.
Dylan’s presentation is in the SAMHS Zoom library.
In session 2, Andre Crozier discussed the book Against All Odds by Andrew Pike, focusing on the SADF role in the rescue of passengers and crew from the sinking cruise ship, the MTS Oceanos.
Just before midnight on 3 August 1991, the SAAF received the first notice that the cruise ship Oceanos was sinking in hurricane conditions off the Transkei coast, halfway between East London and Durban. The ship was anchored 5km off the coast, sinking by the bow and listing.
Between midnight and 0530 the following morning, the SAAF deployed a Transall C160 as an airborne command post and 11 Puma helicopters from Durban, Pretoria and Cape Town to the site of the sinking ship.
The ship was listing dangerously and pitching up and down in very high seas. People on board had to cling the rails due to the list. In the prevailing conditions, only one SA Navy Diver, 22-year-old Able Seaman Paul Whiley, could be placed on the ship.
Between 0530 and 1130, the helicopters lifted 221 passengers and crew 2 at a time from the vessel and landed them on the golf course of the nearby Haven Hotel.
The passengers on the vessel had been abandoned in dereliction of duty by the captain and officers. The officers had all left with the lifeboats. The captain had insisted on being one of the first to be air lifted off the sinking ship. This meant that the evacuation was under the control of the entertainment manager and staff, working together with AB Whiley.
Some passengers jumped into sea and were picked up by navy divers in inflatable boats in the very high seas and wind.
The Oceanos sank at 1330. All 581 passengers and crew members on board the vessel were rescued and there were no serious injuries. But would that have been the case if the SAAF helicopters had not arrived when they did?
The Navy Divers displayed tremendous courage. Whiley, in addition to being the diver on board responsible for placing passengers in the lifting sling, dived into the sea to rescue a passenger who had fallen overboard. Thereafter he swam back to the vessel and managed with great difficulty to climb back onboard to continue managing the evacuation.
Whiley was awarded the Honoris Crux (Gold). AB Gary Scoular was awarded the Honoris Crux (Silver) and four other divers received the Honoris Crux.
Many helicopter pilots and crew received decorations. They had operated in most hazardous conditions in gale force wind with the vessel listing and pitching in heavy swell. Other SAAF officers were Mentioned in Dispatches for their role in the rescue.
The book Against All Odds by Andrew Pike reads like a thriller. It is highly recommended.
The recording of Andre’s presentation is available by clicking here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z4sMUh1fahZRh6W3x9f4VfUIRMK6iew/ view?usp=sharing
Comment on Andre’s presentation by Nick Cowley:
The Oceanos and the media
The Oceanos rescue was the one I chose as my favourite story from my 30+ years as a radio news editor to talk about at my farewell function from the media. It simply had everything that makes a compelling news story. These elements were: -intense human interest; a survival story among hostile natural elements; villains and heroes in entirely unexpected roles (the captain and officers in the dereliction of their duties, and the entertainment officer and cruise manager taking over those responsibilities by default with zero relevant experience); very little politics involved, a refreshing change for a South African news story (other than the tricky matter of the nominally independent Transkei having jurisdiction over the rescue); and a happy ending (casualties nil except for a later death).
Journalists poured in from all over the world to cover the story. Some of them phoned our desk for information and advice. The most memorable of these was an enterprising British reporter who wanted to know where along the same Wild Coast the Grosvenor had been wrecked in 1782! Clearly, he hoped to get two dramatic shipwreck stories out of his journey to South Africa.
SAMHSEC RPC meeting in December 2024
There will be no RPC meeting in December.
SAMHSEC will next Request the Pleasure of your Company to talk about military history on 27 January 2025.
SAMHSEC field trip: 17 November 2024
Our field trip to the lower Fish River area on 17 November 2024 was attended by 20 members and guests.
Thank you to Theo van der Walt who did the reconnaissance and made the local arrangements for the field trip. BZ.
See SAMHSEC 9 December 2024 meeting below
SAMHSEC meeting 9 December 2024
Two subjects will be discussed during this meeting.
In session 1 starting at 1930 South African time, Claude Wessels is to tell us about the Friends of the Port Elizabeth SAAF Museum.
In session 2 starting at 2015 South African time, Stephen Bowker will discuss SAMHSEC’s field trip to the Lower Fish River area on 17 November 2024. SAMHSEC Chairman, Acting Scribe and Field Trip Coordinator: Malcolm Kinghorn culturev@lantic.net Secretary: Stephen Bowker stephen@stephenbowker.co.za
Prince Alfred`s Guard (Comrades) Association will be holding the annual Commemoration Service for the Regiment’s first Battle Honour, "Umzintzani", at 1000 on Sunday 1 December 2024 at the Regimental Memorial St Georges Park, Port Elizabeth.
Please accept this invitation attend both the service and to join us for a few refreshments at the Maritime Club at the conclusion of the event.
All are encouraged to participate in the service by the laying of wreaths either in their official capacity or as private individuals. Those wishing to lay wreaths are requested to contact the writer either by e mail to terry2@mweb.co.za or telephone / SMS to 082 772 4920 in order that their names can be added to the list of wreath layers.
Please be so kind as to forward this communication to any other interested parties that you think would be interested to attend.
Yours Aye,
Captain Terry Pattison MMM, JCD, PAG (retd.)
Secretary Prince Alfred`s Guard (Comrades) Assn
The following invitation to participate in Lewis family genealogical research is included here as there were Lewis 1820 Settlers:
Walmer Children’s Feeding Trust Lawn Sale at the Walmer Town Hall on 7 December 2024 0900 to 1300
The Walmer Children’s Feeding Trust Lawn Sale at the Walmer Town Hall on 7 December 2024 is to include books at R5 each.
The Bookshop in the Town Hall will be open with books in its Africana Section (a source much frequented by SAMHSEC members!) on sale at normal prices.
SAMHSEC