Tribute to Fish Eagle Traditional Cache
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The cache is a short walk up the hill (200m) from the car park, follow the co-ords to get the general direction, then closer to the GZ follow the path (road) passed the co-ords and approach the beacon from the south west (back) this will save you unnecessary bundu bashing. The container is a small plastic camo cylinder. Contains log sheets and a pencil.
Back on the 11th of May 2005 when Geocaching was in it’s infancy in the Lowveld, Fish Eagle travelled far and wide to place caches. This spot was one of, if not the first Traditional cache placed by Fish Eagle. The original cache was called “Devil's Knuckles” (GCR7JV) and has since been archived, but please take the time to check it out. Notice the number of finds it received. As per the log’s last entry, I have decided to place a cache (seven years after the original placement date) near this historical place referred to as “Devil's Knuckles” or “Long Tom”.
This cache serves as a tribute to one of the stalwarts of the game that we all enjoy so much. “Thank you” Fish Eagle from all the fellow Lowveld Geocachers for the fun, adventure and advice you have given, and continue to give unconditionally.
Some History:
Long Tom Cannon Monument
This replica of a Creusot siege cannon stands 21 km from Sabie on the Lydenburg Road (R37). The monument marks the spot where, from 8 to 11 September 1900, two of these cannons were used for the last time by the Boer commandos against the British army. These cannons - with their long barrels - were nicknamed the "Long Toms" by the British forces.
In April 1897 South Africa purchased four of these cannons with 8 800 shells. The cannons were stationed at the four forts around the City of Pretoria. During the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) these cannons were used by the Boer commandos as field guns against the British army.
The British tried hard to neutralise these dreaded, formidable weapons and the Boer forces were determined that these cannons should not fall into British hands. So, when the shells had been used up, the Boers destroyed the cannons.
Specifications: |
| Manufacturer: |
Schneider et Cie, Le Creusot, France |
| Gun barrel length: |
4.2 metres (13 feet 11 inches) |
| Gun barrel mass: |
2 500 kg (5 512 lb) |
| Gun barrel calibre: |
155 mm (6¼ inches) |
| Striking distance: |
9 km (5½ miles) |
| Shell types: |
Grenade, Shrapnel and Grape-Shot |
| Shell mass: |
40.6 kg (90 lb) |
| Total mass: |
6 250 kg (13 800 lb) |
| Total length: |
7.5 m (24 feet 7 inches) |
| Drawn by: |
16 oxen |
This monument was erected in 1984 by the Long Tom-Rapportryers of Sabie, in collaboration with the FAK, the Federasie van Rapportryerskorpse and Mondi Timber, who provided the site.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Nccebnpu gur gevt ornpba sebz gur onpx (qverpg ebhgr vf gbhtu), abg gur gevt gur bgure pbapergr, ybj qbja.
Treasures
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