Traces of good times in the Namib Desert in The Northern Diamond Fields in Namibia
The Northern Diamond Fields
When in October 1908 prohibitive restrictions were placed on the pegging of claims south of the 26° latitude in the southern diamond fields (Kolmanskuppe, Bogenfels, Elizabeth Bay) many a prospector left the area for the less popular northern diamond fields (Spencer Bay, Saddle Hill, Oyster Cliffs, Meob Bay, Conception Bay), in the hope of some good finds.
In 1909 after about 5,000 claims had been occupied, it was found that these fields were much poorer than those in the south as well as having a lot more obstacles standing in the way of their development, including the vast distances and transportation difficulties. Nevertheless, there was no shortage of optimistic prospectors as they came from all walks of life wanting to try their luck at diamond mining and surely many dreamed of overnight riches.
Today when entering this remote area, it is not difficult to imagine the hardship man, beast and machine had to endure. Harsh desert conditions, with the cold, fog and the ever-blowing cold southerly winds. The area is difficult to describe as there is an abundance and vastness of nothingness and yet so much beauty.
Hats off to those early pioneers and migrant workers who entered into this way of life making a tremendous contribution to the economic success of the diamond industry.
Construction of lodge at Meob Bay, Namibia
The Namibian Affirmative Management and Businesses (Pty) Ltd. (NAMAB) has applied for environmental clearance for the construction of a lodge at Meob Bay, some 190 km south of Walvis Bay. Environmental consultant Knight Piésold is conducting the impact study and the application for an environmental clearance certificate on behalf of NAMAB.
On its website NAMAB explains in 2009 a consortium was formed by residents of Southern Namibia to create work opportunities and to bring skills to marginalised communities. A concession was obtained by NAMAB on 3,3 million hectares of land, according to the information on the website, to develop sustainable tourism ventures. The concession is more or less in the form of a square with Saddle Hill being the southernmost corner on the coastline, Conception Bay the northernmost corner on the coastline and then stretching eastwards to Solitaire and down south to Kanaan Gate in the Namib-Naukluft Park.
Namab already operates a semi-permanent eco-tented camp at Meob Bay and also has accommodation infrastructure at Fishersbruhn.
According to a public notice in the media by Knight Piésold, the lodge planned at Meob Bay will include ten luxury chalets, constructed from wood, aluminium and lightweight steel, and twenty tented chalets. The facility will have a restaurant and its target market will include tourists undertaking off road trips between Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.
Namibia: West Coast shipwrecks: "Diaz" & "Dolphin" | Кораблекрушения у западного побережья Намибии
Facebook groups:
20. "Diaz"
Date: 08.02.1926
Northcliff near Saddle Hill
21. "Dolphin"
Date: 18.01.1960
Conception Bay
