TOPIC:

IL,

I could well imagine they could not make a perfect serchlight for the reasons you outlined. I was thinking that, with so many engineers and resources, they would have been able to fashion some instrument capable of communicating with Buller?

David
Yes, they had a lot of talent in the town - no dispute. REs and Naval Officers present would have known about searchlights and - of course - such were available in Kimberley. The Boers used one (or more?) outside Ladysmith and Capt. Percy Scott used them to flash coded messages (via clouds) into Ladysmith. Last night I had a look for "searchlights used in 1900" on a certain on-line encyclopedia - and the "machinery" (for want of a better term) illustrated there in response to my query was quite daunting in appearance and specialised design! Is it possible that the availability of carrier pigeons (carrying reduced size photo negatives) and the services of African "runners" (however chancy) made more sophisticated means of communication with the outside world rather unnecessary?
Regards
IL.

1899 - From the diary of Major George Tatham, Natal Carbineers

Helio station fixed at Weenen on the Kolombo Mountain visible from Convent and all along that ridge. Volunteers held sports. Late in the afternoon a refugee white man was walking in from Tin Camp and was killed by a shell of enemy fired from End Hill. Two Boers gave themselves up to our picket. Troops called out, Volunteers complimented upon being first at place appointed as rendezvous and all were ordered back to camp.

1899 - Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross

Saturday, 2 December

Only a few shells today, everything [has] been very quiet; towards the evening, however, the enemy commenced sniping at the town in volleys. Jones the chemist wounded in back of shoulder.