I was crossing the C. H. Mitchell Bridge on my way to the Wild Coast Holiday Resort last week and my journalistic nose began to twitch.
As soon as I returned to St. Michaels on Sea, I began my research into the origins of this intricate towering feat of engineering excellence and the name attached to it.
I discovered that the C. H. Mitchell bridge, also known as the Mtamvuna bridge, is the second longest single span bridge in South Africa. The bridge’s deck is suspended by a pair of cable hangers systems, which are supported by a cross-braced double steel arch. It is 206 metres (676 ft) in length and the highest point on its arch is 35 metres (115 ft) above the roadway.
The bridge is located south of Port Edward and spans the Mtamvuna River. It connects KwaZulu-Natal to the Eastern Cape and is one of the largest truss arch bridges in South Africa. It is located on the R61 Route.
According to Wikipedia, the bridge was named after a local pioneer, Charles Henry Mitchell, the father of Douglas Edgar Mitchell (1896–1988) MP for Natal South Coast
I wondered who this man might be that he should be afforded such an honour?
By way of Wikipedia, I learned that his intriguing history was tightly woven into the fascinating tapestry of this particular area of the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Another of his many groundbreaking exploits is recounted thus.
During the early hours of Thursday, February 7, 1895, the Fascadale, a four-masted iron-hull barque with a cargo of sugar and a crew of 28 en route to Lisbon was swept onto the large boulders, immediately seawards of the popular Grannies Pool at Southbroom.
At the time of the wreck, the missionary Alfred Eyles and Charles Henry Mitchell and their families lived close to present day Southbroom.
C.H. Mitchell eventually bought the wreck from Lloyd’s of London, using the salvaged timber to construct a sturdy, permanent home on his farm at Bushy Vales.
He and his surviving family members (who still reside in the area) also have their proud name attached to a rugby/tennis club in Uvongo.
Shakespeare said, “what’s in a name?” When your name is Mitchell, apparently, a great deal.
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