Wagons North
A peep into the past
MOST OF THE first books published abo ut the e arly days of South Africa came f rom th e pens of botanists and naturalists. Hot o nt he heels of these men of science were the explorer/hunters who le ft ex citing records of their in dib lea dv entures in a time now long gone.
Think about all the planning it took to travel to the end of the world and then still outfit a long expedition into the virtually unknown interior. William Burchell, for example, arrived at the Cape in 1810 then spent six months preparing for an expedition that took four years to complete. Other famous visitors to leave us well-documented accounts of their adventures were Harris, Baldwin, Lichtenstein, Thunberg, Sparrman, Cumming and Oswell, to name just a few. William Cotton Oswell who hunted in southern Africa from 1844 to 1852 left a complete list of all the items deemed necessary to take on a yearlong expedition which I have used as a guide for this article.
Two hundred years ago any hunter planning an African expedition would first give thought to the guns required. Coming mostly from Britain, these early trophy hunters would have heard about the thick-skinned, heavy-boned animals found on the Dark Continent, so naturally big bore guns would top the list. These heavy muzzle-loaders usually came in 4, 6 and 8-bore.
Oswell preferred smoothbore guns taking round balls because they were easier and faster to load – especially on horseback. His favourite was a doublebarrelled 10-bore made for him by
Purdey and Sons. He also used a 12-bore Westley Richards and an 8-bore single-barrel gun.
In addition most English hunters brought a pair of British-built shotguns and, according to the old scribes, these hunters often chose to carry a belt pistol for close-quarter work. A few cheap trade guns – normally condemned military Brown Bess flintlock muskets or Birmingham-produced trade guns – would also have been required for use by camp helpers – Oswell took six.
But here’s the thing; a muzzle-loading man must also lug along powder and shot flasks, bullets and bird shot, wads, percussion caps and gun flints plus accessories such as a nipple spanner, a turn screw and anything else he might need to keep his gun working. Besides that he had to have various bullet moulds and bars of lead to cast slugs when he ran out of readymade missiles. On one trip in 1844, Oswell took 3 000 percussion caps, 60 gun flints, 150lb of lead and 50lb of tin for hardening bullets. Just imagine!
I would guess that a few tins of the best English powder would have been taken although the bulk of gun powder required would be purchased on arrival at the Cape. Oswell wrote that he took 20 pounds of fine powder and 60 pounds of coarse powder.
Two hundred years ago any hunter planning an African expedition would first give thought to the guns required
OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS to be used during the pursuit of game were a good telescope and compass and the best knife money could buy. The right apparel – cool, loose fitting clothing and a wide brimmed hat for the hot African sun were most important. And because these long trips would often run into winter, warm
coats and thick blankets were also required. Of course a few pairs of strong shoes or boots were essential.
Personal items would have included a cutthroat razor, sharpening strop, shaving soap and a brush to lather up. Oswell lists things like needles, 30 pounds of wax candles, a candle mould, wicks and 24 boxes of matches called Lucifers. If the hunter was a smoker, pipes and a supply of tobacco would be taken as well. Naturally flint and steel with a tinder box was essential. Many travellers included a small portable writing chest and a supply of paper to keep a journal; also pencils, pen and ink to do sketches if he was artistically inclined.
Add to this all the camp requirements for living in the bush month after month, most of which I guess were purchased at the Cape; cast iron pots, kettles and coffee pots, tin mugs, plates and bowls, cutlery and other cooking utensils.
Similarly, supplies for the long journey into the wilderness would have been bought at the Cape; sacks of salt for preserving the skins of trophies being the most important.