The First Railway Lines
The first
railway line in then German South West Africa was built after discovery of
rich guano deposits near Cape Cross by Walter Mathews, an Englishman. He
had been sent up to the coast by the German Government to investigate
reports of fur seals and he did his own investigating discovering the
guano deposits to the south. This resulted in the formation of the
Damaraland Guano Company. A concession was obtained from German Colonial
Government to kill seals and to work any guano deposits.
The railway was laid with 18-pound rails to gauge of 24 inches
and had a total length of approximately 13 miles when completed. No great
difficulty was experienced during the construction of the line.
Equipment for the railway consisted of one locomotive and several cars
supplied by Kerr Stuart in 1895. The line was used for transporting of
guano from Cape
Cross.
Construction of the line between Swakopmund and Windhoek (State
Northern Railway) began in September 1897. About 1000 workers were
employed. The reason for construction was outbreak of Rinderpest (lethal
disease of cattle and oxen). In October 1899, the rails reached Karibib,
in June 1902 - Windhoek. The costs of this railway line was RM 15 000
000.00 and although it was operated by the Military, it was made available
for civilian use as well. Duration of the trip from Windhoek to Swakopmund
was reduced from 10 (with oxen) to 3 days. The Staatsbahn was completed in
1902, at a total length of 382 km with a gauge of 600 mm (German
standard).
1897-99. The construction of the first public railway line by
the British Government in Walvis Bay was completed. The engine named
''Hope No. 652'' served 1899-1915. There was a terminal 18 km from
Swakopmund named ''Plum''.
1903-1906 Otavi Railway. Construction of this line by German
private company OMEG (Otavi - Minen und Eisenbahngesellschaft) mining
copper began in October 1903. From the beginning of construction there was
a labour problem. It was not possible to continue using of Herero labour
because of the uprising and the only available alternative was to import
European labour. An Italian contractor was contacted and he arrived with
300 of his countrymen. Later another 750 Italians and 500 Owambos were
employed as well. For the purpose of maintenance the line was divided into
sections 25 kilometres in length under a care of a section foreman who had
under him several white men and 8-12 natives. They were paid a DM 1 a day
and their food. The contract price of the railway was DM 20,000,000 with a
length of 570 km and standard 600 mm gauge.
1907-08. The construction of Otavi-Grootfontein line by the
South-West Company which was a mother company of OMEG.
1905-08. The construction of South line connecting Lüderitzbucht
with Keetmanshoop via Seeheim, from where the line was continued to
Kalkfontein Süd (now Karasburg). The gauge was laid at 1067 mm standard
(present standard).
1910-12. The construction of the line between Windhoek and
Keetmanshoop. Construction began from both ends of line. The same time a
line between Karibib and Windhoek was rebuilt to 1067 mm gauge. The length
of the line was 340 miles.
1915. The line between Nakop and Kalkfontein-Süd was built. The
same year lines between Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Usakos were completed
to 1067 mm gauge.
© September 1997, Sergei
Mitrofanov
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