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Before the opening of the Suez Canal in the mid-nineteenth century, the most direct route for European ships to the East was to sail down along the west coast of Africa, round the Cape of Good Hope, up along the east coast and then across the Indian Ocean to India, Malaysia and Indonesia. One of the first and most important stops en route was Table Bay, near the Cape of Good Hope at the tip of southern Africa. Initially established as a victualling base by the Dutch East Indian Company, the fertility of the land and the utility of the harbour encouraged the area's further development by Europeans.
Cape and Natal News, London, United Kingdom
December 1, 1859
IMMIGRATION. — During the month the Lord Raglan has arrived at Cape Town with immigrants, including a number of labourers for the Cape Town and Wellington line of railway. Three other vessels have sailed for that port, one or two of which will probably arrive before the mail leaves. Two vessels are also nearly due at Port Elizabeth. Mr. Field appears to have been executing his duty in a much more energetic and efficient manner since the recent exposures; and we are glad to hear that the permit cases, a large number' of which have gone home, are receiving more prompt attention at his hands. The late drought, which has put the colony back in so many other respects, although it has not thrown any of the immigrants who have already arrived out of employment, has exerted a prejudicial effect upon the enterprise which should prompt the colonists to seek for and employ the various kinds of European labour. Still when it is borne in mind that many of those who have arrived in the colony have already passed through it to the countries beyond, and that this is still going on, it will be seen that South Africa offers a larger field for immigration than might at first be supposed. We have no fear for the success of those who are already on the way, and believe that the colony will find em* ployment for as many as its means will enable it to obtain. Agricultural labourers will soon be in considerable demand.— Graaff-Reinet Herald.
