1899 in South Africa
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The following lists events that happened during 1899 in South Africa.
Incumbents
- Alfred Milner.
- Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell.
- State President of the Orange Free State: Martinus Theunis Steyn.
- State President of the South African Republic: Paul Kruger.
- William Philip Schreiner.
- Prime Minister of the Colony of Natal: Henry Binns (until 17 August), Albert Henry Hime (starting 17 August).
Events
- April
- The Transvaal government orders Asiatics to move into Locations specified by the government before 1 July.
- May
- 4 – Cape Town based food packaging company Imperial Cold Storage and Supply Company is founded in London.[1]
- 5 – Sir telegram to Joseph Chamberlain urging him to intervene in the South African Republic.
- October
- 1 – Jan Gysbert Hugo Bosman, aka Bosman de Ravelli, a concert pianist and composer, leaves South Africa for London.
- 11 – The South African Republic declares war on Britain and launches the Second Boer War which will only end in 1902.
- 13 – The Siege of Mafeking begins.
- 14 – The Siege of Kimberley begins.
- 20 – In the Battle of Talana Hill, the first major clash of the conflict near Dundee, Natal, the British Army drives the Boers from a hilltop position, but with heavy casualties, including their Commanding General Sir Penn Symons.
- November
- 2 – The Siege of Ladysmith begins.
Births
- 30 January – Max Theiler, a virologist and the first South African to receive a Nobel Prize, is born in Pretoria.
- 18 February – Aegidius Jean Blignaut, short story writer and creator of Hottentot Ruiter, is born in Kroonstad.
Deaths
- 6 June – Sir Natal politician, dies in Pietermaritzburgat the age of 61.
Railways
Railway lines opened
Walvis Bay engine Hope
- 31 January – Free State – Wolwehoek to Heilbron, 30 miles 61 chains (49.5 kilometres).[2]
- 12 April – Cape Central – Roodewal to Swellendam, 41 miles (66.0 kilometres).[2]
- 1 May – Transvaal – Potgietersrus to Pietersburg, 39 miles (62.8 kilometres).[2]
- 25 October – Natal – Pietermaritzburg to New Hanover, 29 miles 51 chains (47.7 kilometres).[2]
Locomotives
- The Natal Government Railways places the first of 101 Class C 4-10-2T Reid Tenwheeler locomotives in service. In 1912 they will be designated Class H on the South African Railways (SAR).[3]
- The New Cape Central Railway places its first Cape 7th Class 4-8-0 Mastodon type locomotive in service. In 1925 they will be designated Class 7E on the SAR.[3][4][5]
- The Walvis Bay Railway places a single 2-4-2 tank locomotive
- Rand Mines acquires two narrow gauge 0-4-0 tank steam locomotives from Avonside Engine Company.[3]
References
- ^ Measuring Worth, Relative Value of a UK Pound Amount – average earnings, retrieved 27 December 2010
- ^ a b c d Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 184, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ ISBN 0869772112.
- ISBN 978-0-7153-5382-0.
- ISBN 0958400946.
- ^ Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1948). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter VII - South African Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, January 1948. p. 32.
- ISBN 9 780620 512282.