Richard Philip King
Encyclopedia
Richard Philip "Dick" King (1813 – 1871) was an English trader and colonist at Port Natal, a British trading station in the region now known as KwaZulu-Natal
. He is best known for a historic horseback ride in 1842, where he completed a journey of 960 kilometres (596.5 mi) in 10 days, in order to request help for the besieged British garrison at Port Natal (now the Old Fort, Durban
).
district of the Cape Colony
in 1820, as part of the settler program
. In 1828 however his family resettled to the then frontier region of Port Natal, when Dick was about 15 years of age. His first employment was as a wagon driver for the pioneer traders. In reverend Francis Owen's company he met Zulu chief Dingane, and also got acquainted with captain Allen Gardiner
.
sent Dick King to warn his 18 year old son, George, and others who were 120 miles inland at the Voortrekker camps. Dick King departed immediately on foot, accompanied by a number of natives. Despite covering the distance in four days by walking day and night, they arrived just after the Rensburg voortrekker camp was attacked. They reached the vicinity of the next camp, near present day Estcourt
, just as the attack on it started on February 17, 1838. Though cut off from the Gerrit Maritz
laager, he participated in its defence, but was unable to prevent the death of George, who was further inland at the Blaauwekrans river. 600 Boers, including women and children, died in the surprise attacks though others managed to survive the heavy and sustained Zulu onslaughts.
Some 20 to 30 European men, including Dick King, were placed under the command of Robert Biggar. With a following of 1,500 Zulus who deserted from Dingane, they crossed the Tugela river
near its mouth and proceeded to uMgungundlovu
. After four days they were able to take 7,000 head of cattle from a group of Zulus who fled. The party returned with these cattle to the bay, and discovered that a spy of Dingane had been killed there in their absence.
Once again they set off to Dingane's kraal and reached Ndondakusuka village north of the Tugela on April 17, 1838, which belonged to a captain of Dingane, named Zulu. Here, while questioning a captive, likely a decoy, they were closed in by a strong Zulu force led by Dingane's brother Mpande
. The English soon found that retreat was impossible, and blundered by dividing their force to oppose their encirclement. The Zulus made a successful dash which split the forces in two. In the desperate situation that ensued, the English force was overwhelmed. Only Dick King, Richard (or George) Duffy, Joseph Brown, Robert Joyce and about 500 Zulus escaped to the bay.
Pursued by the Zulu force, all the European inhabitants of Port Natal were compelled to take refuge for nine days on the Comet, a British vessel which happened to lie on anchor in the bay. When the Zulus retired, only Dick King and some seven or eight others returned to live at the port. The missionaries, hunters and other traders returned to the Cape.
). The Voortrekkers had in the meantime consolidated their position inland. They established the Boer
republic of Natalia and were intent on expelling the English force from the strategic bay area. This soon led to the Battle of Congella
, where the English suffered heavy casualties besides the loss of their artillery. The English garrison had to retreat to their tented camp where their only defense was their trenches and earthworks. The camp was besieged by Andries Pretorius
who kept up the small arm and artillery attack continuously, day after day.
Trader Christopher Cato, who was to become Durban's first mayor, informed Dick King of the situation, who was on the Mazeppa vessel on the 25th of May. Before daybreak the next morning, King was met by his 16 year old servant Ndongeni, who brought two horses to the current Salisbury island in the bay. Attached to a boat, the tethered horses swam alongside the boat to the bluff
, from where King and Ndongeni escaped.
From Port Natal (now Durban
), King and Ndongeni started a heroic horseback ride to convey a request from Captain Smith for immediate reinforcements. The journey involved a ride of 960 kilometres (596.5 mi) through the wilderness and the fording of 120 rivers to arrive at Grahamstown
. Ndongeni was forced to return half way through the journey, as he had no saddle or bridle. Dick King reached Grahamstown 10 days after leaving Port Natal, a distance normally covered in 17 days. King returned a month after his escape on the Conch, one of the British vessels which carried the relief parties. It arrived at the bay on the 24th of June, and the reinforcements were in time to save Smith’s garrison from imminent surrender or starvation.
and King a farm at Isipingo for their services. At Isipingo King managed a sugar mill until his death in 1871. Ethel Campbell conducted an interview with Ndongeni in 1911 from which she learned the details of the epic journey. A statue commemorating Dick King and his journey was unveiled on the north shore of Durban bay 29°51′42"S 31°01′31.3"E, on August 14th, 1915.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
. He is best known for a historic horseback ride in 1842, where he completed a journey of 960 kilometres (596.5 mi) in 10 days, in order to request help for the besieged British garrison at Port Natal (now the Old Fort, Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
).
Early years
Dick King was born in Chatham, England. His family emigrated to the AlbanyAlbany, South Africa
Albany, South Africa was a district in the Eastern Cape, South Africa...
district of the Cape Colony
Cape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
in 1820, as part of the settler program
1820 Settlers
The 1820 Settlers were several groups or parties of white British colonists settled by the British government and the Cape authorities in the South African Eastern Cape in 1820....
. In 1828 however his family resettled to the then frontier region of Port Natal, when Dick was about 15 years of age. His first employment was as a wagon driver for the pioneer traders. In reverend Francis Owen's company he met Zulu chief Dingane, and also got acquainted with captain Allen Gardiner
Allen Francis Gardiner
Allen Francis Gardiner was a British Royal Navy officer and missionary to Patagonia.-Biography:Gardiner was the fifth son of Samuel Gardiner of Coombe Lodge, Oxfordshire, by Mary, daughter of Charles Boddam of Capel House, Bull's Cross, Enfield, Middlesex...
.
The Voortrekkers
Dick King first came to prominence after the 1838 murders of the Voortrekker leader Retief and his delegation at the kraal of the Zulu chief Dingane. American missionaries who heard of the murders notified Port Natal. There Alexander BiggarBiggar family
The Biggar family, Alexander Harvey Biggar and his two sons Robert and George , were pioneer traders at Port Natal, in what was to become the Colony of Natal...
sent Dick King to warn his 18 year old son, George, and others who were 120 miles inland at the Voortrekker camps. Dick King departed immediately on foot, accompanied by a number of natives. Despite covering the distance in four days by walking day and night, they arrived just after the Rensburg voortrekker camp was attacked. They reached the vicinity of the next camp, near present day Estcourt
Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal
Estcourt is a town in the uThukela District of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The main economic activity is farming with large bacon and processed food factories situated around the town. The N3 freeway passes close to the town, linking it to the rest of South Africa.-Location:Estcourt is...
, just as the attack on it started on February 17, 1838. Though cut off from the Gerrit Maritz
Gerrit Maritz
Gert Maritz was a Voortrekker pioneer and leader.-See also:*Graaff-Reinet: Gerrit Maritz, Great Trek Leader after whom Pietermaritzburg was partly named was a wagon-maker in the town....
laager, he participated in its defence, but was unable to prevent the death of George, who was further inland at the Blaauwekrans river. 600 Boers, including women and children, died in the surprise attacks though others managed to survive the heavy and sustained Zulu onslaughts.
The fateful Biggar expedition
The English settlers at the bay, hearing of the latest attacks on the Boers, were determined to make a diversion in their favor. Two Englishmen from Port Natal, Thomas Halstead and George Biggar, were among those already killed at Dingane's kraal and Blaukraans respectively.Some 20 to 30 European men, including Dick King, were placed under the command of Robert Biggar. With a following of 1,500 Zulus who deserted from Dingane, they crossed the Tugela river
Tugela River
The Tugela River is the largest river in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The river originates in the Drakensberg Mountains, Mont-aux-Sources, and plunges 947 metres down the Tugela Falls...
near its mouth and proceeded to uMgungundlovu
UmGungundlovu
uMgungundlovu was the royal capital of the Zulu king Dingane and one of several military complexes which he maintained...
. After four days they were able to take 7,000 head of cattle from a group of Zulus who fled. The party returned with these cattle to the bay, and discovered that a spy of Dingane had been killed there in their absence.
Once again they set off to Dingane's kraal and reached Ndondakusuka village north of the Tugela on April 17, 1838, which belonged to a captain of Dingane, named Zulu. Here, while questioning a captive, likely a decoy, they were closed in by a strong Zulu force led by Dingane's brother Mpande
Mpande
Mpande , uMsimude owavela ngesiluba phakathi kwamaNgisi namaQadasi, as he was praised, was king of the Zulu nation from 1840 to 1872, making him the longest reigning Zulu king. He was a half-brother of Shaka and Dingane, who both preceded him as kings of the Zulu...
. The English soon found that retreat was impossible, and blundered by dividing their force to oppose their encirclement. The Zulus made a successful dash which split the forces in two. In the desperate situation that ensued, the English force was overwhelmed. Only Dick King, Richard (or George) Duffy, Joseph Brown, Robert Joyce and about 500 Zulus escaped to the bay.
Pursued by the Zulu force, all the European inhabitants of Port Natal were compelled to take refuge for nine days on the Comet, a British vessel which happened to lie on anchor in the bay. When the Zulus retired, only Dick King and some seven or eight others returned to live at the port. The missionaries, hunters and other traders returned to the Cape.
Defence of Port Natal
In 1842 however the English annexed Port Natal by sending a garrison under the command of Captain Charlton Smith (who also served at WaterlooBattle of Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands...
). The Voortrekkers had in the meantime consolidated their position inland. They established the Boer
Boer
Boer is the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmer, which came to denote the descendants of the Dutch-speaking settlers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 18th century, as well as those who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to settle in the Orange Free State,...
republic of Natalia and were intent on expelling the English force from the strategic bay area. This soon led to the Battle of Congella
Battle of Congella
-Background:According to South African history, in the mid-1820s King Shaka swept through the countryside now known as KwaZulu-Natal, killing almost the entire native population of bushmen. Through his conquests king Shaka founded the first unified Zulu Kingdom...
, where the English suffered heavy casualties besides the loss of their artillery. The English garrison had to retreat to their tented camp where their only defense was their trenches and earthworks. The camp was besieged by Andries Pretorius
Andries Pretorius
Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus Pretorius was a leader of the Boers who was instrumental in the creation of the Transvaal Republic, as well as the earlier but short-lived Natalia Republic, in present-day South Africa....
who kept up the small arm and artillery attack continuously, day after day.
Trader Christopher Cato, who was to become Durban's first mayor, informed Dick King of the situation, who was on the Mazeppa vessel on the 25th of May. Before daybreak the next morning, King was met by his 16 year old servant Ndongeni, who brought two horses to the current Salisbury island in the bay. Attached to a boat, the tethered horses swam alongside the boat to the bluff
Bluff, KwaZulu-Natal
Bluff or The Bluff is a residential suburb of Durban, eThekwini metropolitan municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. One of five such suburbs in the South Durban Basin, the community is situated on a promontory that is one of the main enclosing elements of Durban Harbour from the...
, from where King and Ndongeni escaped.
From Port Natal (now Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
), King and Ndongeni started a heroic horseback ride to convey a request from Captain Smith for immediate reinforcements. The journey involved a ride of 960 kilometres (596.5 mi) through the wilderness and the fording of 120 rivers to arrive at Grahamstown
Grahamstown
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,...
. Ndongeni was forced to return half way through the journey, as he had no saddle or bridle. Dick King reached Grahamstown 10 days after leaving Port Natal, a distance normally covered in 17 days. King returned a month after his escape on the Conch, one of the British vessels which carried the relief parties. It arrived at the bay on the 24th of June, and the reinforcements were in time to save Smith’s garrison from imminent surrender or starvation.
Recognition
Ndongeni received a farm at the Mzimkulu riverUmzimkulu River
The Umzimkulu River is a river in South Africa. It rises in the Drakensberg mountains and flows southeast towards the Indian Ocean, which it enters in Port Shepstone. Towns on the Umzimkulu include Underberg and Umzimkulu...
and King a farm at Isipingo for their services. At Isipingo King managed a sugar mill until his death in 1871. Ethel Campbell conducted an interview with Ndongeni in 1911 from which she learned the details of the epic journey. A statue commemorating Dick King and his journey was unveiled on the north shore of Durban bay 29°51′42"S 31°01′31.3"E, on August 14th, 1915.