East and West forts, Hout Bay

East Fort

Hout Bay’s East Fort was established in 1782-3. Its construction was precipitated by an abortive British attempt to take the Cape in 1781. This was repulsed by the Dutch and their French allies with the help of the Pondicherry Mercenary Regiment, under the Command of Col Thomas Conway. They were based in what is today known as Puducherry on the Carnatic Coast of  India, about 70 km South of Madras (now Chennai).

Hout Bay’s East Fort was built before “South Africa” existed and has historic International connections with four modern countries. It also has a connection with a fifth, Sweden.  All the guns at the Fort were Swedish-made and purchased by the VOC. Six of the guns were made in the town of Finspång by a company that eventually became “Bofors”, the well-known Scandinavian Arms manufacturer and one of the oldest companies in the World.

West Fort 

West Fort is on the Southwestern approach to Hout Bay. It was established at York Point in 1781. It was named after the Duke of York who was a commander in the British army and the second son of King George the 3rd. During World War, 2  concrete bunkers were built and anti-aircraft guns were installed.

,West Fort 31 Harbour Rd, Hout Bay, – East fort 1 Chapman’s peak