WOODIFIELDS KRANTZ Traditional Cache
Hidden : 7/31/2009
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

WOODIFIELDS KRANTZ

The cache is placed at an interesting spot along the Zuurberg Pass (R335) , a gravel road completed in 1858 between Addo and Ann's Villa. Woodifield's Krantz and the date 1855 is inscribed on the rock.

The cache is in a 1.2 L Lock and Lock and was placed in the Eastern end of a retaining wall. Some of the smaller stones were missing so the container was inserted below the top row of stone with some different colour stones in front to conceal . Please look at The Cache photo.
DO NOT DAMAGE THE STONEWORK WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE CACHE.

(visit link) has this interesting article (copied below) on the construction of the road.
THE ZUURBERG PASS:
Shortly after Sir George Napier's appointment as Governor of the Cape in 1838, he visited the Eastern Province. He was appalled at the state of the roads and subsequently devoted much of his energies towards improving the communications between the Mother City and the eastern parts of the Province.
When the Montagu Pass had been completed in December, 1847, the entire gang of 250 convicts was transferred from there to the Zuurberg, in order to commence a road that would provide a direct route from Port Elizabeth to the districts of Graaff-Reinet, Somerset East, Cradock and Colesberg across what was described as "another impossible mountain range."
The road party under Inspector Fancourt White commenced in January 1848 at Doorn Nek and after only 8 miles (13 km) of the road had been completed, the convict gang was withdrawn in 1850 and stationed around Port Elizabeth because renewed trouble with the Xosas had started and it was not considered safe to have the convicts working in a hazardous region. According to a report of the Central Road Board, building of the pass was resumed at the cessation of hostilities in 1853.
In a letter dated 27th January, 1857, the assistant civil engineer of the Colony, Mat. Woodifield, reported to the Board from his office in Port Elizabeth: "The main strength of the gang has been employed during the year in widening, forming, draining and metalling the road between the first Great Zuurberg ridge above Boontjies River, and the cut between Stroebel's and Wolwekop. Out of this entire length of about 15 miles, 13 miles may be said to be finished, and in first rate repair." 
Of the already completed section of the pass he writes: "Much damage has been caused to the road by careless driving, renaming with iron remschoen and locking wheels" .... "By the present ordinances, it is impossible to put a stop to these practices; but by a slight modification of the road magistrate's ordinance, this grievance could be easily remedied.". . . . "Mr Stretch has informed me of his intention of bring ing this matter to the notice of the Legislative Assembly during this session."
Mr Woodifield further states: ". ... it is possible that the road from the bottom of the mountain on the north side, to the top of the main ridge, will be completed in eighteen months."
The entire Zuurberg Pass, 37 km (23 miles) long was opened to traffic in 1858, more than 10 years after Fancourt White (the builder of the Montagu Pass) and his convict gang moved onto the site.
H.L.H.
Sources: Reports of the Central Board of Commissioners for Public Roads in the Cape 1848-1858.

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