The Blaauwkrantz Bridge disaster occurred on 22 April 1911. A mixed train from Port Alfred travelling to Grahamstown, made up of six goods trucks, three passenger carriages and a guard's van, came to grief when one of the goods trucks derailed on the Blaauwkrantz Bridge over the Blaauwkrantz Pass and, with the three carriages and the guard's van, plunged into the ravine below. Of the 55 passengers, 28 were killed and 22 seriously injured.
Some before reaching the bridge a truck left the rails, near the centre of the bridge the truck, which was carrying stone to build the Grahamstown Cathedral, turned over and broke the necks of the buffers which detached it from the front of the train. The sudden impact of the rear coaches against the overturned truck caused them to topple over the side of the bridge and turn somersault before being dashed to pieces on the rocks below. A carriage roof, a door and a lampholder were detached in the fall and were found hanging on the side of the bridge.
The locomotive had made it to the other side of the bridge without damage, and so the engine driver raced the locomotive to Grahamstown to get help.
Fatalities The following persons were killed in the disaster: Mr. J Lewis-Smith, an attendant at Fort England Asylum Mrs. J. Lewis-Smith and baby, wife of the above Mrs. Smith’s son Willie, aged 3, succumbed to injuries three days later Mrs. H.J. Moolman, widow of Dr. Moolman, Commadagga, daughter of Judge Hopley Miss Mary Moolman, Commadagga Mr. Adolphus H. Wright, law agent, Grahamstown. He was a cousin of the late Dr. Greathead and grandson of the late Mrs. Wright who built and endowed Christ Church. He leaves a widow and a numerous family. Mr. James Forsyth, Grahamstown. Was confidential clerk to Rosenbaum Lax & Co and much respected son of Mr. William Forsyth. The deceased gentleman was at one time a schoolmaster at West Bank, East London, and went through the Langberg [sic] Campaign as a volunteer. He leaves a widow and three little daughters. Mr. Clifford W. Dold was the well-known feather broker, Grahamstown Mrs. Clifford Dold, Grahamstown and her three children, May, Cyril and Vincent Mr. C.E. Dell of Kei Road Mrs. Edward Dell of Kei Road. Mr. J. Grant, Commercial traveler for Rolfes, Nebel & Co. Port Elizabeth Mr. Arnold, Bathurst Mrs. Cyril Bishop and her baby, Umtata Miss Mildred Sherwood, daughter of an attendant at Fort England Asylum, Grahamstown Miss Kathleen Hope Brereton, daughter of the Rev. A.W. Brereton, Registrar of Rhodes University College, Grahamstown. Mr. David Hulley Mr. Charlton Richardson Mr. Paul Tarr, a well-known man, formerly proprietor of a boarding house in Market Square, Grahamstown Mrs. Cooper Miss Maggie Arnold Mrs C.W. Dold’s nurse Mobald
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External links Heritage Portal: The Port Alfred to Grahamstown Railway The Port Alfred Kowie Railway 1883-1913 Blaauwkrantz Bridge at the artefacts.co.za website Blaauwkrantz Bridge disaster at the vk.com website