need help finding photos of Rorkes Drift

Subject: need help finding photos of Rorkes Drift Fri Jul 16, 2010 3:11 pm

I was informed by Springbok9 that some members had posted pictures of their visit to Rorkes Drift. I did some looking and did not find much. Iam specifically looking for pictures of Rorkes Drift in January, mainly the coloring of the grass. Anything will do as long as it would be considered accurate. I dont know of the climate or weather pattern in Zulu land 1879. If they had a dry spell or what not but from what Springbok9 said it was green with a tinge of yellow so more specifically iam looking for is what shade of green?. So if their is a painting, a photo or a picture in an osprey that would best represent the grass on that day, please let me know. Thank you all.

Posts : 1603 Join date : 2009-09-21

These photo were taken in December so would not have been far off January.

Quote :: Mainly the coloring of the grass

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Subject: Re: need help finding photos of Rorkes Drift Fri Jul 16, 2010 5:53 pm

I doubt whether a well kept lawn as shown in the photos would represent the conditions in Jan 1879!

Subject: Re: need help finding photos of Rorkes Drift Fri Jul 16, 2010 6:49 pm

Subject: Re: James Rorke. Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:32 am Posted by Old.H

Here is a description of Rorkes Drift By Chaplain Smith.

“ A pretty farm was situated on an elevated rock terrace, about three quarters of a mile way from the ford. The buildings were erected by an old frontier agent called Rorke, together with the farm, which had recently been purchased by reverend Otto Witt, a man of Swedish church, aiming to establish a mission for the Zulu.
The hill situated at the rear was called Oskaberg, in honour of the Swedish King.

The house was situated within several feet of the edge of the rocky terrace, with two or three acre garden planted with ordinary grape vines and many oranges, apricots, apple, peach, quince, fig and other fruit trees. A path ran parallel to the front of the house, between the garden and the terrace, with a strong stone wall along the side terrace. The land sloped between the path and the terrace, occupied by an orchard of cape poplars, some large cork trees and various kinds of large shrubs.

The site of the house as described was 80 feet long and the left rear side wall was almost 60 feet long. The other block of buildings, including a stable was located forty paces to the left, with a 80 foot side parallel to the outer wall of the end of the main building. These buildings measuring 52 feet enlarged the house at the rear. Almost parallel to the end of the left wall of this block of buildings, with an area of ten or twelve feet, a stone wall extended to the edge of the rock shelf, forming the right wall of a kraal of some 50 feet, which was divided in half by another similar parallel wall.”

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Subject: photos of Rorkes Drift. Sat Jul 17, 2010 1:34 am

Hi all.
I am with Johann in regard to R.D of 1879 , no such thing as manicured lawns or possibly even grass for that matter ,
as the 3rd column had been encamped there , and after they left the 2nd column ( Durnford ) was also camped there.
If you look at the paintings of the battle the ground is dirt and dirt only , no sign of grass whatsoever . Hope this helps.
cheers 90th. :)

Subject: Re: need help finding photos of Rorkes Drift Sun Jul 18, 2010 1:22 pm

I would agree that dirt and tufts of coarse grass - along with a scattering of rocks - is the most likely scenario as regards the ground at RD. This would be consistent with photographs of the post after the battle (i.e. as Fort Bromhead). Indeed, the only suggestion of any real vegetation to consistently appear in contemporary sketches (e.g Crealock's) and photos of the post is the trees and scrub beyond the north wall.

Gunga Din, I realise my comments above do not help you with your original question about colour of ground cover but I have sent you a private message about a Rorke's Drift diorama that might help.

U

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