Have not heard any one mention Affenruchen single quarters, there are many stories out there of what those guys got up to. Being so far out of town they were like the last outpost.
Before I left the mine, I took the opportunity to driver out there one last time to see the state of the Old Mess and Single quarters. For those that lived out there it would put teers in their eyes.
Especially shocking was to see a full sized Thurstens billiard table exposed to the elements.
Anyone have a comment
Hi Clive had the opertunity to go out there and take some picks, what always amazed me was the tiled swimming pool and the sping that used to flow. I don't know if this was a myth or did the spring actualy flow?
Alfred
Hi
I worked at Affenrucken from 1968 to 1974. It was a great place to be at the time. The single quarters was almost always full (about 25 guys) and the Ovambo single quarters was also packed as well.
We all worked at No 1 plant and I remember that for one stretch I didnt go into town for 18 months until I went on leave!!!!
The swimming pool was heated (!) and we had everything we could have asked for. Well almost everything - no females and no alcohol.
We had a ball out there and got up to all kinds of mischief. The DDs hated us as we were always giving them the run around. We often drove to Chameis Bay and inland exploring. One long weekend we drove to the Boegoeberg radio post and listen to the DDs talking on the radio station that was there. One Easter weekend we drove as far as the Aurus mountains, which would have been at least 100+ kms inland. It took us two days and we camped out overnight. If we wanted, we could have taken a Landrover load of diamonds, but we never even considered it. We just wanted to have fun. Security didnt have a clue. They were always threatening to have us fired, but we just laughed at them. We were young (I was 20 then) and didnt have a care in the world. Them was the days.
The amount of wildlife was astounding. There was strandwolfs, gemsbok, cheetah and troops of baboons. One night a strandwolf was crossing the bridge from the mess side and someone came from the single quarters side and they met in the middle. They both still havent stopped running.
My last few years I played rugby and drove into town at about 6.00 pm for practice and drove back again at about 9.00 pm. Crazy.
I left to study at UCT in 1975. I returned to Oranjemund to visit friends almost every year until 1983, when I left SA to come to Australia. I wanted to get back to Affenrucken but never got the opportunity. If you go to Google Earth you can still see the old buildings, even the holes in the roof, the old swimming pool and the footbridge across the old riverbed.
I still think back to the great times I had in Oranjemund and Affenrucken. I have lots of photos - if you have any new ones, we can do a trade.
I have tons of stories about Affenrucken if anyone is interested.
It would be great to hear from anyone who worked at Affenrucken or knew anyone that worked there.
Regards
Malcolm
Hi Melcom
I worked at 1 Plant electric in that time and came frequently to Affenrücken Mess to repair things.
The Ductch Cook-Chef was a nice guy and treated you people with excellent food.
Yes that is a special place to know out in the wild......
I remeber one night on a call out, heavy mist, i got lost with the landrover. The posts on the road helped me the find my way again. The posts were red, that ment i am in the Explosives Store Area which i knew from previeos visits, that led me to the main road again......in the mornig 3 :00 clock to see after the HT supply that was cut off.
The cook was " Ben " as far as i remeber, thats long ago and i am surprised how names come back in that forum, fantastic memories of a long gone time. One of his specialties was a sort of " Crockettes "
Lekker.....
Georg now in Germany whre i came from ;D
One of my dad's neighbours, now retired , here in Oranjemund, is a German Chef called Roland Knufner, He was the chef up at Affenrucken, he also has tales to tell, kinda like the wild west back in those days. My father was based at uubvley Compressor shop, but whenever there was a breakdown up at that end of the mine , the artisans would all scramble to make it up there, as it was a day trip and you could get anything to eat in the mess, even crayfish....
I also looked at the Google earth pics a while back, and it is heartbreaking to see those buildings going to waste out there... How many of you have been down the 2 Plant tunnel?
???
2 Plant Tunnel
Thats my baby.
I was down many times........HT Motors driving the Pumps
I even remember the Drive Number 6001 to 6004
During commissionig a guy was trapped at the far end of the tunnel when an inspection glas burst in the pipe flooding the tunnel with him trapped. He made it out swimming to the Door at the end.
After that a TV was installed
When I was an Appie at 3 plant, Colin Benton took me up to the tunnel one day, just pointed at the staircase and said if I wanted to see it, I would be going by myself. To this day, that for me was one of the most amazing spots on the mine, I went down, cobbled floor, pumps and pipies, you could hear the sea crashing above you, water dripping through the roof.... I was told that the reason the tunnel was built with a slight slope and if you were more than halfway in and a leak sprung you were meant to run deeper into the tunnel, to that little shack out in the ocean, where an air bubble would form and you could breathe in the darkness till the divers came for you.....Bugger that , I thought, I know which way i would run if it came down! ;D
Georg, who built it? How long did it take? Why build it? Do you think it would make a cool tourist attraction? ANyone got pics?
???
tourist atraction my arse - no way would i go there :o
I reckon it was safer than living in NI during the troubles though..... ;)
I went down "The Tunnel" to measure up the intake pipes (about 500mm in diameter if I remember) that by-passed the bulkhead door.
Put my thumb on one of them to mark the spot to measure from. It had a "slight" give in it.
Took what I needed for my drawings and buggered off - very quickly...
On the way out, the power went out.....
Mike wrote
[/quote]
Georg, who built it? How long did it take? Why build it? Do you think it would make a cool tourist attraction? ANyone got pics?
???
[/quote]
I dont know the company that dit it, but it was well known in SA.
Tourist attraction will be all Plants Affenrücken the Dumps for Agates and possibly the tunnel, i would not advise to go there if the sump pumps are out of order.
The Bulk door should be closed all times, the video camera inside gave us extra security just in case. I was in there very often. I take it that 2 Plant is out of commission and beleive 3 Plant will run again after the fire damage ist repaired.
I would be interested to know details of the fire.
When i visited O-mund in 1983 3 Plant was off
I noticed the cathotic protection for the jetty was switched off. Back in Germany i worried and phoned Oranjemund to fix that. Or it would break like the first Jetty.
On Google Earth i looked at the area. Seems all sanded up. i have spent many hours on those pumps that failed. So a Platform was built under the bridge to hold new Harland Pumps doing a better job.
4 times 300 HP. Jerry Housen and Len Pretorious were the main actors behind that. I also dit my part with a wunderfull electrician crew.
It worked and was a great succes that time. The engineering team at 3 Plant was very special and dedicated to make 3 Plant a succes.....
Great times what concernes the job
Thanks Georg, I was an appie in 89 with Colin Benton at 3 plant, I often used to take a walk down to the pump house by the jetty, always amazed me the lengths to what DeBeers would go to get diamonds. My favourite time on th emine though was at 50G, after the plant closed, we worked on the bucket wheel and submersibles along the entire length of the mine, up to Beverly Hills.....
I just heard at lunchtime from Barend Matthee (Balletjies) how Mooimeisies got it's name and a tale from my father about the Affenrucken Apache's....... story for later.. though,,,,,
;D
Hi guys
I knew about Mooimesiesfontein from Faas Jakobs who was the mechanical foreman at No 1 plant. He had worked at Oranjemund for a very long time - possible 20-25 years. He went and retired to Windhoek about 1970-71. Dont know if he's still around.
I was told that the tunnel at No 3 plant was built because of silting problems with the pump intakes at the other plants. Is this true?
I worked at 66M HMS plant for a year and there was a dam with a floating platform (on 44 gallon drums) for the pumps. Not very high tech but it worked. Until one of the drums corroded through, filled with water and capsized the whole damn thing. Took 2 days to get back into commission again...
The chef was a Dutch guy called Ben van Etten who was a SUPERB cook and spoilt us rotten. He left in 1975 or 76 and opened a resturant in Parow, then went to Canada in 1980 and opened his own resturant there. I'm still in touch with him. And you are right - he used to make very tasty Dutch Croquettes. We used to get our own crayfish by wading out about chest deep and feeling under the rocks. Would get 10-12 in an hour.
I have pictures of myself standing on Bogenfels rock. We all drove up there one weekend. I presented security with a copy of the picture when I left with others taken at the Aurus mountains - they were not impressed....
Regards
Malcolm
The dutch Cook Ben
He had a dog whou waited on the mine road to get a lift to Affenrücken, he would jump on the back, and when arrived on 1 plant, he jumped off to wait for a car to Affenrücken.
It worked......
He must have had a girl friend in town ;D
Georg
Hi there I worked at 2 plant as a electrician Nov 86 to Jan 88 as the new electrician to the workshop I got the tunnel as my section all the new electricians started at the tunnel. Now days the bulk head door is rusted open. My Foreman was Alan Delaney and the sparkies where Wally Golder, Bret Lees, Tommy Lawrie and Myself was a great place to work at. Uncle Jim Reid was the met Foreman. I am still at Namdeb currently HT services. About the fire at 3 plant I was called out to switch the power off this was just before midnight repairs are underway the whole MCC building was distroyed except the ground floor I think they want to be back online by end Nov?
As soon as I find out how to post pics I will send a few of Affenrucken
Alfred
Quote from: Alfred Boehme on October 24, 2007, 08:50:01 PM
I am still at Namdeb currently HT services. About the fire at 3 plant I was called out to switch the power off this was just before midnight repairs are underway the whole MCC building was distroyed except the ground floor I think they want to be back online by end Nov?
As soon as I find out how to post pics I will send a few of Affenrucken
Alfred
Thanks, tell me more, which MCC,
Prim Crush, CCP, SW intake, Slimes, Boulders
i hope not the CCP, if you need help call me.... ;D But i am really interested.
After all i dit most of the work from day one LOL and of course the excellent crew i had
Georg
Quote from: georgswa on October 24, 2007, 06:51:10 AM
The dutch Cook Ben
He had a dog whou waited on the mine road to get a lift to Affenrücken, he would jump on the back, and when arrived on 1 plant, he jumped off to wait for a car to Affenrücken.
It worked......
He must have had a girl friend in town ;D
Georg
Hi Georg
I still have some photos of that crazy dog. He WAS pretty smart and used to catch rides all over the place. He often used to disappear for days on end and then show up all scrawny and generally a mess. I believe that he was put down soon after Ben in 76 or 77.
Cheers
Malcolm
Hi Georg
The 3 Plant fire was the CCP building, had the transformers HT switch gear on groung floor 1st floor was the cable racks ect 2nd floor the MCC and the CCP was on top, the CCP was relocated to a buliding on its own very fortunate! the building was situated outside the fitters/ boilermakers workshop will take a pic for you and post it. The cause or the fire has not been released so I won't say anything yet as soon as this is done I will let you know
Alfred
Hi Alfred Boehme
Thanks for the info. Thats exactly what i feared.
I take it, they will never rebuild what was going before. I presume Grunewald contactor is doing the repairs.
Something like that happend while i was there. A fir should not have started if all system were operational.
In that Case a CO2 automatic system would definitly have extinguished the fire...... I personally tested that by making a controlled fire together with Len Pretorious. Of course the CO2 bottles had to be replaced at intervalls. Bet you that was nor done :-\
As was the case with the cathotic protection on the Jetty, i found it switched off when a made a visit in 1983, i reported that as a tourist.
I could write more on that subject but leave it to the experts on site, before i get myself involved here LOL
Write again when you know more please.
Georg
ABB is bussy rebuilding the substations, they are not rebuilding the old section but are going to build seperate substations in different sections of the plant they are going to keep the old HT section with the swich gear operational. I heard today they want to start up mid December will get those photos to you later
Alfred
Thanks Alfred
I am intersted what goes. It will never be the same again ........
Georg
Guys here are the photo's of Affenrucken
Some more photo's
Georg the 4th photo is 3 plt mcc
@ Alfred Boehme
Thanks for those Pics. That looks terrible....... I see the Flames in the Control Room and MCC, the HT seems ok ?
Georg
Alfred, you actually managed to 'bring the house down' with that snooker game!
Great photo's! Do you guys still go to Bogenvelds, Backers Bay etc. If you do, take some shots there as well and post them here, please. We used to go on 'woestyn patrollie' trips with my dad, Big Dirk, then we went to all those places. Did dune riding on boxes. He could drive a Land Cruiser in those dunes - few guys could equal him in that. He had an awsome knowledge of the desert - knew where the gemsbok dug waterholes, knew where to look for ostritch nests, etc. I still have a lot of slides my dad took during those trips: the sea elephant at Black Rock near Bogenvelds, the cave with table and chair still in them, the hole that goes right through the rock so you can see the see far below, the sea lion colonies, those 'tame' jackall that would come and empty your potjiekos leftovers, the brown haeyna (strandwolf) and a ton of other stuff, but I don't know how to convert slides to photos or even to cd's. You guys with the knowledge could give a hint or two.
Nice pics Alfie, and quite sad in a way..... I have 2 or 3 pics of Bakers Bay, must just dig them out sometime....
:)
Georg,
After a few tests we re-energised the HT section and one of the four transformers the other 3 went for minor repairs "oil leaks" ect, these trx have been repaired and are being put back, they have decided to relocate them in different area's so you don't have all your eggs in one basket, here 2 photo's of the building taken this morning.
Alfred
Hi Alfred
Thanks for that update
Keep me informed how it goes
That Sub suplied Scrubbers, Sec Crush and HMS a major part of the Plant and biggest Sub
Thinking of all the Equipment in the CCP as well as all the switchgear, that will be quite timy and expensive to repair. I doubt that the ops will be the same as it was......took long to get it going.
Georg
Hi Dalene
I spoke to a friend he will get us some picks of Bogenfels, bakers bay ect, I will post them as soon as they are available
Alfred
Bogenfels
Some Pics from a visit there
Georg
Thank you George. As kids we used to climb all the way to the top. My mom nearly had a faint each time we did it - scared that we would go over the edge!
Has someone thought of a way that I can "copy" those slides I've spoken about to cd's?
Dalene I think it is something you have to pay someone to do for you
there are people out there who can convert slides to cd then you can upload download and sideways whatever you want.....
@Dalene
Look in Affenrücken, those are converted slides done wit a special scanner
Try to project your slide on a screen and take a photograph it also works satisfactory, the Oklahoma Pics are done that way.
Good Luck to you, i have also other ways pending on your Cameras ability
Georg
Hi Georg do you remember Kieth Ager and Eric van der Merwe from the camera club days or was that after you left. I joined the camera club in 1984 did a lot of black and white photo's developing also used to help out with the slide show evenings got lots of 8x10 black and white photo's must get a scanner and post a few
Alfred
I remember a Keith Ager yes, but dont remember his face
I left November 1979 :(
Georg
Georg, malcolm, My father is currently sitting with me reading this topic and poses this question to the 2 of you...... Who knows how affenrucken got it's name.....?
???
Affenrucken .. yes good question .. in afrikaans it sounds like or equate to afgeruk ?? .. in english .. far flung .. far away ?? I have been playing with the word in my head .. but then some days I am a bit crazy .. today must be one of them .. so a good ezplanation would calm the buzzing in my bonce ...
Sandy, my dad went home, now we'll have to wait...enjoy the buzzing sound while you can....... or open the window and let the blerrie thing out!
;D
Affenrücken with Umlaut
The Ü is pronounced like the U in afrikaans
It Means it is the back of an Ape, i gues a small hill in that shape
So in english Apes Back
Does that Help ? ;D
Georg .. I still have the buzzing in my head .. now we have to find the hill in the area that resembles an apes back ... How are you keeping ?? .. did you read the one of the trouble I caused many years ago at 2 plant power station ?? .. not a good day for me .....
@ Sandy yes i saw that Nr 2 PWR Station post LOL
We all learn out of mistakes.
I also put the whole mine out of power LOL Thats another story......
Georg, you are on the right track...according to Jock, the german was would have been ASSEN ( with the SS being bastarised by the English, due to the old way of writing it, in the germanic manner, it would appear like FF, thus affenrucken meaning Hill of the Apes,
In a way Kolmaskuppe was COLMANSKOP, thanks to the Languages becoming Kolmanskop or Kolmanskuppe in Deutsch!
Interesting stuff!
;D
Hi Georg
You are correct - Affenrucken (with the umlaut) means 'monkeys back' or 'apes back'. it is supposedly the shape of the hill behind the mess. Dont ask me from which perspective....
There were lots of baboons there and often a tropp used to come rushing down the old riverbed or over the hills.
I've attached a couple of photos from the days when I was there just to show you what it looked like back then.
Hi
A few more photos. They might not be the best as they have been scanned.
Malcolm
Wow!To see that, makes the deteriation even sadder.
Jock was on about a signboard on the way up there that said "BENS HOLIDAY INN"
???
It's sad to see how it's all been abandoned now.......
Tourism potential? ???
Malcolm
I never thought I would see a pic of the pool with water in, the heaters are still there pool pump also. I have walked arround there many a day and tried to work out how things where the mess (kitchen) been into the buildings seeing the old equipment ect. Thanks for the photo's now I know there must of been some great times there.
Alfred
Hi Alfred
I remember now that the pool was heated and we used to have swims in the middle of the night with steam coming off the water!
Along with the snooker table there was a dart board and table tennis table in the room off the dining room. There was also a room at the western end of the single quarters that was a gymn full of equipment.
I've included a few more photos, including one of Ben the cook and one of the Aurus mountains where we drove to one long weekend. I have lots of photos of No 1 plant if anyone wants.
If possible post any new photos of Affenrucken and the surrounding area - it would be much appreciated.
My room was on the upper level of the single quarters, 4 doors down from the big rec room leading onto the swimming pool area.
Malcolm
Malcolm
Some more photo's going to try and get a photo of your room
Alfred
and more
and the last few
Enjoy
Alred
Alfred,
Thanks for the photos, I mentioned the Snooker table but did not think any one would go out there and photograph it.
Did you see the Old Sikorsky helicopter in the scrapyard behind the hill.???
Clive theres a topic on it's own....The Scrapyards on the mine! :o
Hell' Bells talk about an instant reply,
Thanks Mike
Malcolm,
Thanks very much for the photos, especially the one of Ben in the Kitchen ay Affenrucken.
I remember a story about trips into the Desert taken by the single guys living at Affenrucken.
Basicly it was an Easter long weekend and the guys got to gether with a couple of landrovers and a Bedford truck. They went into the desert kitted out to hunt Gemsbok & trap Baboons in cages made from 25 mm roddeck mats.
Needless to say things went wrong and the guys were reported to Security. I beleive that there was a trial and the culprits were fired.
Not much else was said, having lived out there can you remember this happening?
Anyone know what the population numbers were at Affenrucken....? ???
Clive we go down there from time to time, to reclaim HT poles and wire when we run low on stock I usualy take the opertunity to take a few pics. The history about some of the places arround our little town interests me a lot. Sometimes I wish I was a little older then would of had the opertunity to be there ?
The Sikorsky I havent seen what a pitty would of liked to have taken a photo
The snooker table had that pic on my computer some time ago, I know they used to cut the cloth of to use to stick under company gifts that where made as a lining
Anyone know when the single hostel openend for accomodation and when they closed I'm sure it was before 1 plant closed
Alfred
Alfred
Where the people living at Affenrucken working at 1 Plant? or where they doing other work?
???
Hi Alfred and Clive
Alfred:
Great pics of Affen. Is the old footbridge over the river still there? If you ever get out there again, try and take more pics, it will be much appreciated. Ahh, the memories!
Clive:
I dont know about the Easter weekend story, but when I was there we did do a trip into the desert on the Easter long weekend and got as far as the Aurus mountains (about 100+ kms inland). We did use a truck and three Landrovers from what I can remember. I did post a photo that I took of the mountains. We were never caught. (We did a lot of things where we never got caught). Security were so paranoid about us, that they had a guy stay at Affenrucken for about a year, but we gave him such a run around that they just gave up in the end. They may have finally realised that we were not there to steal diamonds, but just to have fun.
We did catch some baboons just for the hell of it, but let them go again. We also caught a strandwolf in a cage but once again let it go.
A few of the guys did hunt and shot a gemsbok. They were fired and had to come back to Oranjemund to face court. They were fined a few thousand Rand from what I can remember. That was around 1972-3.
One guy shot a cheetah that had a broken leg and couldnt run and he got into a lot of trouble with security.
By the way the Sikorsky helicopter was used for ferrying personnel to the barges (I think) when I first arrived at Affenrucken in 69 or 70. It was kept in a big hanger just down from the mess and was scrapped in about 1971.
A good story: we had a guy stay there for about 18 months who was possibly one of the first hippies in Oranjemund. He painted all the walls and windows of his room black (!) and burned incense all day. He never opened a window and I swear he wore the same clothes all the time he was there. He is now a real estate agent!!!
We got the lifeboat from the ship that wrecked at Chameis Bay, put a mast and sail on her and sailed around the dam at No 1 plant. We took the thing into town and launched it on the Pink Pan one Sunday and some guys who had been on the turps and didnt have clue on how to sail, capsised and sank her in the middle during one of the races. The mast got stuck in the mud, there were 4 guys millling around in the water, just about drowning, and there were sailing boats zooming up and down trying to have a race. It was the most hilarious sight I had ever seen. When I left we donated the boat the the club and they used it as a rescue boat, I believe.
We also built a sand-yacht, but that is another story....
I could go on forever about the characters we had out there and the things we did.
I dont know when Affenrucken opened or when it closed - it must have closed in the 80s sometime. Does anyone know?
Cheers
Malcolm
Quote from: Michael Alexander on November 04, 2007, 07:52:45 PM
Where the people living at Affenrucken working at 1 Plant? or where they doing other work?
???
Yes mainly 1 Plant and mining
Hi Malcolm, Clive
I went out there today, took about 76 pics of everything will start sorting and post soon I saw the Sikorsky in the scrap yard got some picks, glad to hear it did'nt crash, Malcolm the bridge is still there, only just and some of the jim equipment also, after the heavy rains we had at the bigining of the year the pool is full of sand that was washed down the hills. Must add the accomodation and mess buildings are homes to owls, falcon's and baboons so we can say the legend still lives on, see you guys soon with all the pics
Alfred
Alfred, thanks for the photos, as Malcolm says they all bring memories.
Malclom, I started work as a mining operator in 1969 and was assigned to look after 32G. Sometime during 1970 I was asked if I wanted to get my blasting ticket, took a few trips out to Affenrucken but deceided it was too far from town and the girlfriend at the time so I ended up working at 68G, 100G and at 2U plants.
Otherwise I would have been out at Affenrucken.
Hi Alfred & Clive
Thanks for taking more pics - its so easy nowadays with digital cameras.
I actually asked to be transferred to Affenrucken in 1969. I worked at 66M HMS for a year and was due to go back to No 4 plant so thought I would have a try at Affenrucken just for the hell of it (having heard that it was a fun place). Such is fate. All the screening plants were still going in the 60s and they were slowly shut down over a period of years from what I can remember. I worked in the Screen shop at No 1 plant for about 4-5 years and used to do all the screens and help the vulcanisers with the conveyor belts. No 1 plant had big problems with the belt from the primary crusher (A1) to the stockpile. It couldnt handle the load and used to snap regularly. From memory it was a 48 inch belt. I spent many a night threading the belt through all the rollers and pullys. I learnt to use a front end loader with a cable to do this and save 2-3 hours.
Clive Manthee and Glen Hackart were the vulcanisers then. Does anyone remember them and where they are now? Glen's brother was Morris, who die quite young of a heart attack.
Cheers
Malcolm
Malcolm,
You should remember my Dad, Dennis Symes, he was a fitter working on the mine and later a mechanical foreman.
I think Keith Spackman worked at No 1 plant.
In 1970, I started an apprentiship as a diesel mechanic, and used to work on the eartmoving stripping teams out 10H way ( ducking into Affenrucken for the occasional lunch and game of snooker)
Later I worked at No 4 Plant Earthmoving workshop and was involved with plenty of overtime on the first big bucket wheel the SH 400.
Hi Malcolm these pics should tug on your heart strings enjoy the memories.
1st pic passage to you room
2nd pic your room door
3rd pic you room inside
4th pic the jim area
I noticed that there are two nails at each door on the right side what where they used for?
I struggled to find the jim but got the equipment outside tell me was the jim in a building I see there was a cement floor but can't make out the walls?
will send more pics tomorrow internet very slow tonight (dailup)
Keep well Alfred
Alfie, thanks for the pics, any chance of the helicopter picture, I am lank curious......
And the internet sux today, very slow and I cannot access sites outside of Africa today....ironically this forum is mirrored on a server in Texas......
:yeah7:
Hi Clive I found it
the Sikorsky
Greetings Alfred
Mike I was busy sending it to clive and you message bombed my reply here goes again
Unreal...thanks Alfie, anyone know the story behind this chopper?
:nono1:
That will be great to know. Looks like an old Russian type military chopper. For how long has this been there? Look at the dumpies on the pictures - they don't even make them like that anymore! And the rust has taken it's toll as well.
Alfie, you're digging up the motherload in memory treasures there with your camera! Thanks again - we really appreciate. Re those jackall cubs - have you had a chance to snap them yet?
I know nothing about single quarters of any kind anywhere, but I see the nails you mentioned, and I reckon they were for hanging smelly shoes on.
Quote from: Alfred Boehme on November 06, 2007, 08:12:55 PM
Hi Malcolm these pics should tug on your heart strings enjoy the memories.
1st pic passage to you room
2nd pic your room door
3rd pic you room inside
4th pic the jim area
I noticed that there are two nails at each door on the right side what where they used for?
I struggled to find the jim but got the equipment outside tell me was the jim in a building I see there was a cement floor but can't make out the walls?
will send more pics tomorrow internet very slow tonight (dailup)
Keep well Alfred
Hi Alfred
Great pics. 4B was my room!!!! The A rooms were on the lower levels with the toilets and showers on off the steps to the upper level where the B rooms were. 3B had a guy from Upington who used to snore so badly that everyone could hear him on the upperl evel. One evening, while he was on night shift, we took his door off and hid it behind the mess. When he came off shift he walked to his room and hey presto, no door. We didnt tell him for 2 days and the poor bugger was panicking as he was told that he would have pay the costs of a new door. We finally relented and told him where the door was and then ran like hell as he wanted to kill us.
I still have my old laundry bag with the Affenrucken name and number on it. I'll try and take a pic and post in the next few days. We used to send our laundry into town on the Monday and get it back on the Friday.
I dont know what the nails an the right hand side of the doors were for. It could have been something after I left.
Where you are standing seems to be the spot where the gymn was. It was a corrugated iron hut - all the cladding and roof was probably taken and used elsewhere.
Alfred, many thanks for your effort in taking all the pics - much appreciated.
Malcolm
Dalene I have tried to get the jakkel pups bue when I get there they are camera shy I need to catch them before they see me will try later again?
Malcolm the guy in the pic is not me but one of my work mates we had to go out there to plan reclaiming the old HT lines so we used this time to go and get the pics will send some more and you can give information regarding the pics thanks again for all the stories
Keep well
Alfred
Malcolm did you perhaps know my husband Stephen Rudd sounds like you were there at much the same time
Hi Georg
Look at these pics looks like the dog kennel you spoke abour earlier
1st pic dog kennel
2nd pic flower box in mess room
3rd pic Bridge
4th pic telephone numbers
Malcolm the bridge I don't think we should use it, oops and by the way I did'nt find that guy and jakkel that met in the middle of the bridge
Enjoy
Alfred
and a few more
1st pic stairway past bathroom Malcolm spoke about
2nd pic chefs room how to get more food
3rd pic pool table with old dart board in back ground the room next to the mess hall
4th pic this is what I do when not at work or taking pics
Georg, Malcolm and all who used go and enjoy the chefs sunday lunches, most of the HT guys used go and have lunch there Colin Richards, Eric Shablinski, John Bell, Costus (don't know if this is spelt right), Roy van Eerden, Richard Hanekom and many more, add names if you can
Alfred
Thanks Alfred for all those pics
I remeber Malcom, Colin Richards, Eric Shablinski, John Bell
You may add Jonny Rall, Whity ( Breedenhan) and many others that worked in HT section
The pic with the " Toasting Braai " reminds me of my time with the family in O-mund
Georg the dog kennel was that the dog you spoke about earlier
Alfred
Georg
Whitey Bredenhann completed his engineering ticket and lived all over, Koffiefontein in the Free State, Luderitz, Windhoek and was seconded to Moscow in Russia for 3 years. He then returned to Windhoek and sadly, him and his wife are divorced. I believe he is back in Russia again. Dalene lives here in Pretoria and I have visited her. They have two sons, both are married and one grandson, beautiful little thing.
Charmain Meier (Heusdens)
@ Charmaine
Thanks for the info
I dit not know about Russia
In 1997 he still lived in Lüderitz and was Plnt Mngr in E-Bay.
Later he became the Gen. Mngr. of Marine Diamonds---big shot
I tried a contact him when i was in Lüderitz in 97, he was on leave, what a pity....
Hi again Georg and Malcolm I am realy enjoying all the history if you guys have got any photo's and stories of those days please post them, mayne one day I will to put all this information in a file and give it to the museum to keep for people to read about.
Do you remember my dad (Fred Boehme) he used to work at engine bay for many years 1959 to 1992 engine bay used to be in town next to mine store and then relocated to Uubvley I think one of his foremans names was uncle Jack mc Bride I still remember going into the dyno room to watching the engines being tested I must of been arround 8 yrs old then
some more pics
Hi Alfred
Jack Mc Bride was the Foreman of the Powerstation
Old engl. Gentleman, i had close contacts with him at work and private.
Got to know him closer, when we went a a recruiting tour, Joburg, Whk and Cape Town for a whole week.
Jack was terriffied when flying, i felt sorry for him, had to go through that ordeal while i enjoyed flying those days
In Capetown, we had rooms in the Mount Nelson, Joburg in the Rand International and Whk in the Safari Motel all at the cost of CDM. At his home i learned about good english home cooking.
I have not a single picture of that time except some few of Cape Town. Those days, with family, a colour film was a lot of Rands.............. But i took 8 mm films some times of different things.
For those that live in SA and other countries , tell me, you can watch my videos, not the people in Nam, only once you have DSL.
I found the systems in SA and Nam very slow and expensive.
Georg
Georg
If you want his contact detail, I can get it for you from Dalene. We have been friends for 30 years now, and no matter where in the world we were, we kept contact all the years. Whitey and my ex husband were appies at the then CDM. The last photos I saw of Whitey was those of his eldest son's wedding. He looks fine to me, a little fatter in the face than the last time I saw him, which was in 1993 in Hoedspruit, they were camping at Swadini.
Charmain
Thanks Charmain
Lets see if he registers here
I am glad 2 of my sons have done so now
Georg
Quote from: Alfred Boehme on November 07, 2007, 07:38:40 PM
Hi again Georg and Malcolm I am realy enjoying all the history if you guys have got any photo's and stories of those days please post them, mayne one day I will to put all this information in a file and give it to the museum to keep for people to read about.
Do you remember my dad (Fred Boehme) he used to work at engine bay for many years 1959 to 1992 engine bay used to be in town next to mine store and then relocated to Uubvley I think one of his foremans names was uncle Jack mc Bride I still remember going into the dyno room to watching the engines being tested I must of been arround 8 yrs old then
some more pics
Hi Alfred and Georg
Thanks for the new lot of pics - they are excellent.
You are quite right when you talk about history. I dont think many people realise just what a unique setup De Beers/CDM/Namdeb have had and still have along this part of the coast. By all accounts it seems that there is not much left in area No 1 with the land-based mining reserves almost exhausted and most of the production now from the sea. How much time? 10 years? 20 yrears? What happens to the town then? What happens to all the anecdotes and stories about the characters that worked there over the past 50 years or so? It would be sad if all the stories and photos are not preverved somewhere.
Unfortunately I didnt now your dad Alfred - I didnt have much contact with other workers other than the treatment plant and rugby club guys. It was strange, the first time I went into Caseys was the day I left the mine and all the guys came into town to give me a farewell bash (I didnt drink then). I was presented with a Blue Nose Certificate (No 1070). Anyone remember them?
I have posted some more pics . They are not great but they are all I have. Enjoy.
Malcolm
More Photos
Malcolm
Yet more photos
Malcolm
And more photos
Malcolm
Thanks for those pics from the history
Thanks Malcolm for the pics, tell me the pic I posted of the dog kennel would that be Bens dog kennel and the pics of the sampling plant is that the plant that was by affenrucken I have a pic of runes of a plant or something?
Keep well
Alfred
I going to start a new topic "Photo's inside mining area" have a look at them
Quote from: Alfred Boehme on November 09, 2007, 07:40:00 PM
Thanks Malcolm for the pics, tell me the pic I posted of the dog kennel would that be Bens dog kennel and the pics of the sampling plant is that the plant that was by affenrucken I have a pic of runes of a plant or something?
Keep well
Alfred
I going to start a new topic "Photo's inside mining area" have a look at them
Hi Alfred
I'm pretty sure that is the case. Ben had a kennel for his dog - although he was never there to use it. It sounds like the old ruins of a plant may have been a screening plant or a sampling plant. I know that while I was there, there were a few portable sampling plants that could be moved around to different areas.
Starting a new topic would be a good idea.
Cheers
Malcolm
Here's a photo of my the two pensioners, Jock Alexander and Roland Knufner. The reason I placed the pic here, is that Roland was also a chef up at Affenrucken in the 70's/80's... Somebody might have heard of him. I believe that he would raise the German Colonial FLag outside his kitchen every morning.....
I have heard that they are going to clean up Affenrucken, Mittag hostels flatten them and remove all the rubble if this is so we are going to say goodbye to lots of memories it will be a great pitty but then again maybe its just a rumour I will ask about?
I just spoke to Antje Burke, she is in charge of Namdeb's enviro section and is busy with reclamaition projects all over the mine. It was budgeted for and was going to happen, the complete removal of Affenrucken and Mittag. This has been changed and the structures shall remain, although they will need to send teams in to clear up the area from pollution and industrial rubbish that is lying around. Thereafter these structure will be left to the next group, more than likely conservation, to do with what they please, and as I posted here somewhere, My mate Wayne who works with Conservation, might be used as Info/rest centres for tour groups......
I was relieved to hear this. Antje also mentioned that even though they are starting to empty out those massive scrapyards that litter the Spergebiedt, they are pausing to consider the fact that there might be things of historical importance....
It is heartening once again to know that the powers that be, are not just barging into the area without taking into consideration the historical importance and the ever increasing tourism potential that should be realised...
Here's a snap of the HMS at the Affenrucken plant? Can this be right?
@ Mike, i dont know of a HMS at Affernrücken.
It looks an ancient plant may be before my time
Hi Mike and George
That doesnt look like an HMS and seems pretty old. Certainly nothing like that was at No 1 plant or Affenrucken when I was there.
The reason I ask, is on the back of the photo is written the words...from the Affenrucken file... and the photo was in a folder called HMS.
Nice to see activity on this topic again
Greetings Alfred
Two more scans of Affenrucken!
Great photos!
Must be very early photos as its before the swiming pool and rec room went in around 1969. The trees are still small and everything looks nice and new. There seems to be a screening plant in the distance towards the sea - it wasnt there when I arrived in 68.
So then it might be possible that the pic of the HMS above might be from Affenrucken, but before your time......
I lived at Affenrucken Single Quarters in '76... There was a small screening plant down on the beach of which I should have photos somewhere....
As to what went on there, well, there are one or two incidents that best remain unsaid.
@ Gregg
Tell us and show the pictures
Georg
Wayne, my friend from Nature COnservation, popped in for tea on Friday, he was just back from a meeting up in the Caprivi, a group of nature officials from SADC were there, anyhow he commented that he had met one of the Affenrucken mob up there, the guy was at affies in the 70's sometime... anyhow, Wayne could'nt remember his name , but does have the guys card and details at home.... he will get back to me with them....
Georg
I really must dig out my photos and slides and have them scanned. Don't know when tho'.
Names I can remember that stayed at Affenrucken when I lived there in '76:
Derek Cochrane
Dave Wiley
Phillip Allan
Jim Reid (Monday to Friday only, spent weekends with his wife in Oranjemund... Kotie?)
can't remember who else at the moment.
As to telling all, well... some (read that as most) of what I remember was, erm... irregular to say the least! Trouble with Security a couple of times, hehe.
Hi George
Good to hear that you were also at the best place on the southern Namibian coast and in the mining area.
Also good to know that you gave security a hard time. I think they must have had an Affenrucken black list as long as your arm. 23_11_61
Great days.
Malcolm (Affenrucken 1968-1974)
I stayed in town, not Affenrücken
Started in 1 Plnt as electrician when sometimes i had work to do in Affenrücken
Ben would always give me a treat......
Hi Gregg,
Glad to see you finally cut your hair!!. Last we spoke I think you worked in R7D @ 4Plant?
Carl
Hi Carl
Elsewhere I posted that your name rang some bells in my memory. Arrrh age what it does to one..... Thought I knew you!
How are you? And where are you these days?
Carl
As to the hair, well after 2 run-ins with the General Manager (Richards I think? One of the run-ins was in the Little Theatre. Ha! Sort of apt that!) And been hauled across the carpet by the Met Manager, Div Superintendent et al. I finally gave in... But only after a suitable waiting period hehe. Must say I still think it was a coward's way out even if I was getting tired of carrying all that weight around on my head.
Hi Gregg,
Retired in Durbanville.......Well thank you, but a bit boredhowever. Looking for something to keep me busy with!
Sitting with my dad, Jock Alexander, going through the topic.... he was just wondering if
"I still have some photos of that crazy dog. He WAS pretty smart and used to catch rides all over the place. He often used to disappear for days on end and then show up all scrawny and generally a mess. I believe that he was put down soon after Ben in 76 or 77."
The dog was put down, or was it perhaps adopted by the chef at Uubvley, one Nick Buchan?
I knew that dog and also gave him rides.....
Malcolm
Thank you for all the names you put to many faces in your book and all the photo's we whent through in my collection. It's great that you could get back to Oranjemund and to spend your last evening with us, your memories and stories will always be remebered
Alfred, Lientjie and Sinead
woo_hoo thnx you rock
Have a safe trip back to Aus bye1 bye1
Was he not the black labrador cross .. he had a few names .. dingo ,, cane and coke ,, and other names
( his favourite drink cane and coke . yup a dog that drank ) he used to part of the Belelie family till Mrs Belelie died .. he then left home, became a wanderer . ( a heartbroken dog ? indeed I think so as was Mr Belelie , a sad man struggling through life without his soulpartner ) Dingo / cane and coke was when I started my apprenticeship in 73 very close to the tech ... used to wander in in the morning , demand his coffee black and sweet and bum snacks off us ... hang around the tech , knowing that at some time or other the bakkie would go out on an errand .. that was his joy .. on the back ears flapping in the wind .. as said he wandered the entire mine.. going wherever his whims took him .. sundays were his favourite day .. he would wander around the town , see a bakkie being packed for the beach .. hop on .. wander from beach hut to beach hut .. bumming braai and booze .. I recall the one day he joined us at the beach .. spent the whole day with this bunch of wild appies .. when Athol dropped us off at the single quarters .. he then tagged along with me .. me drunk him drunk .. I was walking home and he knew it was en route past Belelie home which he would visit every so now and again .. so there was me .. doing this drunk swaggering walk .. and the dog hanging onto my jersey sleeve also walking ever so strangely .. got to Belelie home let go and jumped over the gate to do a visit ..
He used to go to the movies as well .. was always let in .. quite a character of a hound .. looking back I suppose it was wrong to feed him booze but he demanded it .. other time i remember . he arrived at Cora's cafe with a huge gash on his face ... Oh boy did he play that one .. he stood up front paws on the counter and turned his face so that Cora could see the gash .... looking ever so sorry .. his reward a nice juicy pie ... I suppose we could include him in the list of characters of oranjemund hey ??
Hi everyone
Remember I said that I had my old Affenrucken laundry bag. Well I found it here at my sisters place in Cape Town (dont ask me how it got here). I've talken a photo to show you guys that I wasnt lying.
Note that my room was originally No 8 and this was before they converted rooms 1-4 upstairs to the Rec room. So room 5 became room 1, room 6 became room 2, room 7 became room 3 and room 8 (my original room No) became room 4. B block was upstairs and A block was downstairs. So my room ended up being room 4B.
Cheers
Malcolm
I was browsing through the Affies pics for reasons unknown, examining in finer detail......
When I noticed on this photo, that this must have been taken in the time when Affenrucken had just been built, there appears to be no swimming pool yet?