In 1854 an enthusiastic scheme was started to build a rival port to Port Elizabeth. The Eastern Province Herald of the 6th June 1854 carried details of a prospectus issued by a Port Elizabeth firm offering sites for sale at Colchester located at the mouth of the Sunday’s River.
Main picture: Colchester
The plan for the town envisaged 60 large erven, main streets 120 feet wide [36.5 metres], a court house, a customs house, four churches and a market square. The engineer in charge estimated that the mouth of the river could be opened up for a mere £20,000 and berthing facilities could be constructed 20 miles [32.2 kms]. It was estimated that 300 ships could be berthed at a time. The sale of erven actually occurred in the Commercial Hall opposite St. Mary’s Church on the 21st September 1854.
Looking at the peaceful setting of this rural idyll, one wonders what went wrong with the grandiose scheme. Nonetheless, would not this tranquil picture-perfect area have been defiled like so many other places.
Methinks, it was better left as a dream deferred
Addendums
- Article in EPH dated 25 April 1854. New town to be laid out at the Sunday’s River mouth 28 miles from Port Elizabeth and 48 miles from Grahamstown. It is rumoured that the river is navigatable for large vessels.
- Article in EPH dated 6 June 1854. The plans for the proposed town of Colchester on the banks of the Sunday’s River are avilable in Port Elizabeth at Coleman and Murray in Graham’s Town at J.J. Stone, H.H. XXX & Co Uitenhage etc. Page 4 Column 2-5 advert of auction by H.H. XXXX & Co instructed by Coleman and Murray. Take ships up tp of 500 tons. 300 erven
- Article in EPH dated 11 July 1854. Colchester sale will be on August 1. Engineer, Mr. Tucker, gives a favouable opinion. Estimated cost to open monthly at £ 13,000, £37,000 less than Kowie.
- Article in EPH dated 18 July 1854. Colchester sale unaviodably posponed until further notice – Coleman & Murray
- Article in EPH dated 5 September 1854. Bidding simultaneously on September 14 in Port Elizabeth and Graham’s Town
- Article in EPH dated 19 September 1854. Colchester sale went well against all expectations – unfavourable weather, money scare and postponed sale through litigation of contending claimants. Coleman & Murray will clear nearly £7,000
Source:
The City of Colchester (South Africa) by Khitab (Looking Back, Volume VI, No. 1, 1966)