A Successful Weekend For Danger Point Lighthouse
The Danger Point Lighthouse was open to the public, over the long weekend of the 16th to the 18 June 2022. An impressive 390 visitors attended the long-awaited event.
Fun For The Whole Family
“It was such a festive and happy atmosphere and it gladdens my heart to see families and groups make the effort to visit the Danger Point Lighthouse on open weekends.” Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie
A Weekend To Remember
From the moment the gates opened to the public on Thursday the 16th of June, there was a steady flow of people wanting to explore this historic maritime site. Many of the visitors climbed the tower’s 99 steps and 162 of them signed the visitors’ book.
Maritime History
Various volunteers generously donated their time, including Barnie Germishuys who is the liaison between the Overstrand Municipality, Transnet and the Danger Point lighthouse keeper.
Gansbaai historian John McGregor regaled visitors with factual stories about the Danger Point Lighthouse and the HMS Birkenhead, while Johan le Roux took groups down to see the blowhole.
HMS Birkenhead Remembered
The Danger Point Lighthouse is also a memorial to commemorate those who lost their lives on the 26th of February 1852. Of the 643 passengers on board the ill-fated HMS Birkenhead, only 193 people survived the sinking. As a result of what is now known as The Birkenhead Drill, all the women and children made it to safety. The rest either drowned, died of exposure or were ravaged by sharks. The drill, “women and children first”, is now an accepted maritime safety procedure around the globe.
Next Open Weekend Planned For The 16th - 18 July 2022
To make this an ongoing event, show your support by attending the next open weekend that is planned for the weekend of the 16th to the 18th of July.
Contact Glenda Kitley, manager of Gansbaai Tourism, on 072 2915564 for more information about the next open weekend.
