Fort Durnford - An interesting historical museum

The strategic significance of Fort Durnford is that it is built virtually on the same site where Gert Maritz, the well- known Voortrekker leader, made his camp in 1838. While Maritz's camp was situated in a horseshoe bend on the Bushman's river on the slope of the hill, Fort Durnford was built on the crest of the hill, and affords a perfect view of the Great and Little Bushman's rivers, their confluence and Estcourt itself.

Some of the most decisive moments of early South African history were experienced in the vicinity of Escourt. Pioneering in this area began in 1838 after the Voortrekkers crossed the Drakensberg. Disregarding their leader, Piet Retief's, instruc-tion that they should remain together, the Voortrekkers soon scattered to the south of the Tugela and its tributaries where they became involved in a series of bloody clashes with the local Zulus.

On 16 December 1838 the "Wenkommando", under the command of the Boer General A.W.J. Pretorius, defeated the Zulus at Blood River. Even though the Zulus were crushed, the settlers were still plagued by raids by Bushmen, marauding Zulu dissidents and the memory of recent events. In 1847 a detachment of the British 45th Regiment was sent from Fort Napier in Pietermaritzburg to protect the settlers from Bushmen raids.

In reconnoitering the area they unwittingly chose virtually the same site where Gert Maritz had drawn his laager, called Saailaer. They chose a flat-topped hill across the Bushman River from Saailaer. From this vantage point the troops were able to survey the surrounding area and particularly two drifts that were frequently used by marauding parties. One drift is close to Saailaer and the other is situated slightly above the present-day bridge. This first stronghold was constructed of various rough walls, mainly for defence against the Bushmen and was initially called the "Ordnance Reserve." However, after the Langalibalele Rebellion of 1873, this stronghold was no longer regarded as being temporary and in 1875 a substantial stone fort was constructed on the same site. The municipality of Estcourt has restored the fort to an excellent condition and the fort was proclaimed a historical monument in 1970.

Fort Durnford is open daily from 09:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 16:00. Visitors who wish to visit the museum outside these hours should contact the Public Relations Section of Estcourt munici-pality. The curator will be only too willing to relate the co-lourful history of the fort and its architectural pecu-liarities. In his absence visitors should note the outline of a "moat" (actually a trench) around the main keep of the fort and the hinges for a drawbridge at the bottom of the front entrance. The stairs leading up to the first floor are also hinged for lifting and allowed defenders to fire down on any enemy who succeeded in gaining access to the building.

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