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After inventing his improvised field carriage for the Naval 4.7-inch and 12-pdr guns, Captain Percy Scott turned his attention to the design of a searchlight apparatus, which would allow the relieving force to “talk” to beleaguered Sir George White in Ladysmith. Once approved on 28th November, H.M.S. Terrible’s searchlight train was put together in just 48 hours and sent its first message from Frere to Ladysmith on the 31st. At the same time, the Royal Engineers had been devising their own system, and the two searchlights, constructed by the Navy and the Army, arrived at the front within a day of one another. Once adopted, these devices, which until now had been primarily used at sea, saw extensive service on the veld, being particularly valuable on the blockhouse lines. Searchlights were mounted on carts, railway carriages, ox-waggons, armoured trains, blockhouses and simple tripods.




Captain Percy Scott, photographed with Lady Randolph Churchill on the day she and her two sons, Winston and Jack, visited H.M.S. Terrible in Durban Harbour, in late January / early February 1900. Note Lady Churchill's silk cap tally, with crossed White Ensign and Stars & Stripes, similar to the crossed Union Jack and Stars & Stripes adopted by the Hospital Ship Maine.




Crowe, G., 1903, The Commission of H.M.S. Terrible, pp. 88 – 90

Up to the present, news from Ladysmith was entirely conveyed by carrier pigeons, the birds having been patriotically lent by the Durban Homing Society to the military authorities. Messages were thus obtained from the beleaguered town, but none as yet could be transmitted back.

The one-sidedness of this intercourse, however, was soon to be remedied, Captain Scott having submitted a scheme to General Buller whereby news of any description could, with impunity and safety, reach the invested garrison. This scheme was a searchlight with a "Scott's Flasher" attachment.

Another evolution! The general wired his acceptance of the proffered apparatus, whereupon Lieutenant Ogilvy and Engineer Murray, with their respective electrical and artificer staffs, were landed, and directed to carry out the constructive work with all despatch, The searchlight was borrowed from the Terrible, a dynamo was commandeered from a dredging vessel, a locomotive boiler (requiring considerable overhauling) was requisitioned from the railway authorities, and connections were extemporized, some having to be manufactured. Three railways trucks were furnished, on which the machinery and apparatus were secured in position. About noon, November 30th, within 48 hours of receiving the general's telegram, the searchlight train steamed out of Durban in charge of the aforementioned officers, and, in spite of great official opposition along the line of route, Estcourt was reached at 9 P.M., and Frere by midnight, a cypher message being transmitted to Ladysmith an hour later. This smart evolution could not have been so easily achieved had not Mr David Hunter (general manager of the Natal Government Railway) placed his entire establishment and staff at the disposal of the commandant. Some of the methods adopted to break through (to use an hibernianism) the wire entanglements of military red tape on this journey north would, if seen in print, startle some of the higher authorities. The searchlight apparatus was also usefully employed to supply lighting power while damaged bridges were being repaired by night. Having concluded his mission, Lieutenant Ogilvy returned to Durban next day, leaving the train in charge of Sub-Lieutenant Newcome and Engineer Murray, with whom were Artificer Jones and Yeoman of Signals Arnold, as assistants.




H.M.S. Terrible’s Searchlight Train at Durban. Extraordinarily, we know the exact time and date when J.E. Middlebrook took this photograph. The installation of the apparatus was completed on 30th November with the train leaving Durban for the front at 12 noon. Durban Town Hall clock shows that the time is eleven minutes past eleven.

The above photograph shows the searchlight crew, consisting of Sub-Lieutenant Stephen Newcome, Engineer Alfred E.J. Murray, Artificer Jones, Yeoman of Signals Arnold, Petty Officer Prince, and Stokers Cox & Aughton, together with Senior-Lieutenant Frederick C.A. Ogilvy & Midshipman Herbert S.W. Boldero. Of these, Ogilvy, Boldero and Newcome are identifiable.
Ogilvy supervised the installation of the system and accompanied the train as far as Frere, from whence he took command of his 12-pounder battery, taking Boldero with him. Newcome, Murray and Boldero landed at Durban together on 28th November. For more on Boldero and his fellow-midshipmen, see: "Little Snotties in Khaki" (Midshipmen landed from H.M.S. Terrible).















The Searchlight Train after its arrival at Frere on 30th November. By the time this photograph was taken, protective armour, in the form of vertical steel sheets, had been added to the sides of the searchlight truck.










Not to be outdone by the men of H.M.S. Terrible, H.M.S. Doris cobbled together a similar outfit.








Colonel Wood, in his report on the work of the Royal Engineers in Natal, was clearly somewhat irked by the attention the Royal Navy’s searchlight had received. He states, “before my arrival at Maritzburg, and I may say before the naval light was installed, Lieut.-Colonel Rawson had fitted up a dynamo and lamp on an ox-waggon”. However, he goes on to say that their system arrived at Estcourt about 31st November, which was, in fact, a day after H.M.S. Terrible’s train passed through on its way to Frere. So, if the Army did start work on the idea first, the Navy was clearly more efficient when it came to creating the finished product.

The Naval Brigade’s feat was made all the more extraordinary by the fact that the N.G.R. had no available locomotives, one having to be constructed from a spare boiler, mounted/chained to a surplus chassis.


Colonel C.K. Wood, R.E. (Professional Papers of the Corps of Royal Engineers, 1901, pp. 51 – 52)

SIGNALLING BY ELECTRIC LIGHT.

I will now, in a few words, tell you what was done in this direction.

Before my arrival at Maritzburg, and I may say before the naval light was installed, Lieut.-Colonel Rawson had fitted up a dynamo and lamp on an ox-waggon, a small metal shutter being fitted up inside the lamp and just in front of the carbons, worked by a lever or key from the outside, and this was found much the best arrangement.

The dynamo was driven by a direct acting engine on the ox-waggon, the steam for which was supplied from a portable boiler, with bullet-proof protection. These, after a successful trial, were loaded up on one railway truck, and despatched to Estcourt about 31st November, after the Boers had cleared from that district.

The detachment to work it consisted of four civilians and an infantry corporal as signaller. If required to march with a column, the engine would have been drawn by oxen, and also the waggon containing dynamo and lamp.

On the light being required to be run, trenches would be dug for the wheels, to allow of the body of the waggon to be bedded down on sandbags. This was tried, and found quite satisfactory. As a matter of fact, however, the apparatus never left the railway, and was always worked from the truck.

The method of signalling was to direct the light at night on the lower edge of a suitable cloud, which was thus illuminated when the shutter was raised, ordinary Morse signals being used, but, of course, worked very slowly.

Messages were sent regularly every night to Ladysmith, a distance of 30 miles, and at first most of them were received, but latterly the Boers succeeded very often in confusing the signals by turning on their own search lights.

Under favourable conditions it is claimed that messages could be thus sent about 60 miles.

I regret that this light was only used for signalling, and not allowed to leave the railway. At any rate, the following are points in which it might be usefully employed: –

(a) Searching an enemy's position at night, thus disclosing any work he may be doing in the way of repairs or new works.
(b) As a sentry beam on an exposed flank.
(c) Many men, after an engagement lasting up till dark, lose, their way and fall into the enemy's hands. If a beam were directed up into the sky it would guide many to camp.

After the relief of Ladysmith, when railway repairs were of supreme importance, this light was invaluable as enabling work at the bridges to go on all night.







Detailed History of the Railways in the South African War, 1904, pp. 252 – 253

SEARCH LIGHTS ON ARMOURED TRAINS.

By November, 1901, twelve electric light plants, suitable for armoured train work, were tried in South Africa, and thirteen more were to be tried shortly.

A great deal of experience was gained with the former; but it is hardly possible, without knowing the results of the others, to decide exactly on the best form of plant for armoured train work.

The twelve plants first used were made up from: –

(a) Five steam engines of 5 – 10 B.H.P.; all except one (which had its own boiler and petrol furnace) taking steam from the locomotive boiler with a flexible steam connection between locomotive and dynamo truck.
(b) One steam turbine 5 B.H.P. do. do.
(c) One petrol engine of 5 B.H.P. do. do.
(d) Five oil engines of 3 – 8 B.H.P., which, being prime movers, were not dependent on the locomotive.
(e) Dynamos of all makes, speeds and voltages, from 52 – 115 volts and 15 – 40 ampères.
The dynamos were driven by belts in all cases except: – the steam turbine through wheel gearing, one steam engine direct coupled, and one steam engine through chain gear.
(f) Three 18-inch metal mirrored projectors, two 12-inch metal mirrored projectors, seven 12-inch glass mirrored projectors, two 8-inch glass-lensed projectors. All hand control.

The thirteen later plants were to consist of: –

(i) Nine steam engines of 5 – 7 B.H.P., all but four being provided with their own boilers and petroleum or petrol furnaces.
(ii) Four steam turbines, 3 – 5 B.H.P., with their own boilers and petroleum or gasoline furnaces, or fixed on locomotive.
(iii) Eleven light high-speed dynamos, 100 – 110 volts, 15 – 25 ampères, four to be belt driven, four by wheel gearing, and three by chain. Two direct-coupled dynamos 65 volts 30 ampères.
(iv) Three of the oil plants already fitted, supplemented by accumulators.
(v) Two 18-inch projectors with mechanical controlling arrangements, and eight 12-inch projectors for hand control; all with glass mirrors.

Steam Engines. – These were very satisfactory in working. They should have their own boiler and so be independent of locomotive; they could probably be got into ¼ truck, even for two lights.
Experiments with petroleum furnaces with this object were initiated.

Steam Turbines (De Laval). – These were most compact little plants, and could be fixed in the locomotive itself; even if supplied with their own boiler and furnace, they could be accommodated in 6 square feet of floor space; they are virtually noiseless. It is anticipated that such a plant could be arranged to run without any attention and, with an automatic lamp, could be worked by an unskilled man for a long time.
Oil Engines were not satisfactory; they are slow to start and unreliable.
Even with accumulators (which are a great additional expense) oil plants will probably continue to be a source of worry.
Petrol Engines have the same disadvantages as oil engines, but not to such an extent.
The plant used on trek gave very little trouble after it was adjusted, and could be started in about one minute. These engines are more noisy, however, than steam.

Dynamos. – To run a single light a voltage of about 75 volts is best, and a current up to 25 ampères is used for a 12-inch projector. Such a dynamo requires an engine doing about 3 – 3½ B.H.P. To run two lights 75 volts 45 ampères is necessary, requiring an engine of about 6 B.H.P.
Direct coupled dynamos take up least room, unless the boiler is with the engine, when there is little to choose. The turbine dynamos were virtually direct coupled.

Projectors. – A 12-inch projector is amply large enough and might be made lighter than it is at present. Mechanical control may be found advantageous. Glass mirrors give the best light, but they are shattered if hit; metal mirrors are very difficult to make, but experiments were started in Pretoria to see whether a satisfactory one could be evolved.

As far as present experience goes, it would appear that the two best types of plant for Armoured Train search-lighting are: –

(i) A De Laval turbo-dynamo fitted in cab of locomotive and controlled by locomotive driver. Or a gasoline or petroleum furnaced boiler, with high-speed steam engine or turbine and high-speed dynamo, in a corner of one of the armoured trucks.
(ii) One or two 12-inch projectors with automatic lamp, metal mirror and C.C. signalling shutter.











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Thank you Neville. This was such an interesting read and I love the well sourced photographs.

Of the three main siege towns, Kimberley had the advantage of being the only one in possession of a number of searchlights prior to the outbreak of hostilities. These had been used by De Beers as a security measure, protecting the diamond fields from thieves. The existence of these lights has been credited by some as the reason for the lack of any concerted assault by the Boers on Kimberley. It is interesting to note, however, that even large bodies of dismounted men could not be seen with the lamps at 2,000 yards or beyond. The effect on the floodlit individual, on the other hand, was a sense that his every movement was being watched (see R.E. Report below).



.Courtesy of the Mcgregor Museum










Royal Engineers survey of the defences at Kimberley. The five searchlights were stationed at No. 1 Searchlight Redoubt (NW); No. 2 De Beers Redoubt (NE); Reservoir Redoubt (SW); Rinderpest Redoubt (E); and Premier Redoubt [Wesselton Mine] (SE).




R.E. Official Report on the Siege of Kimberley (Professional Papers of the Corps of Royal Engineers, 1900, pp. 74 – 81)

(5) SEARCHLIGHTS.

At the commencement of the siege De Beers was in possession of several searchlights and complete plant, these being used to prevent thefts at night from the "floors". The projectors and reflectors were of the usual service pattern, i.e., Schuckert projectors, with automatic lamp and parabolic reflectors. At the beginning of the siege three of these were put in use, one being mounted at Premier 9th October, one at Rinderpest Redoubt (same date), and one at No. 1 Searchlight (already in position). These ran at 60 volts and 60 ampères. Subsequently two Mangin projectors with hand lamps were mounted, one at No. 2 De Beers and the other at the Reservoir, on 8th November. These were not very satisfactory.

Later in the siege the Schuckert and Mangin at the Rinderpest Redoubt and Reservoir were exchanged, as the latter place became of more importance in the defence.
The operators were R.E. and De Beers' men; the latter, being accustomed to run these lights in peace time, proved very useful.

10. Practical Value of the Searchlights. – It cannot be doubted that the numerous searchlights around Kimberley were a great protection, even if they did not (as is very probable) prevent an assault by night, as they prevented the enemy's patrols coming close enough in to examine our obstacles and other defences. The general situation of Kimberley is especially favourable to the fullest employment of searchlights, as the surrounding country is flat and open, while the lights themselves were mounted on headgears of tailing heaps from 40 to 200 feet above the surrounding plain. At the same time, even under these most favourable circumstances, experience shows that an observer behind the light cannot see even large bodies further than 2,000 yards, except in the case of mounted troops, which are easily seen by the reflection of the light from the horses' eyes.

The moral effect of a searchlight on a man unused to it is very considerable, as when in the light of the beam he is quite convinced that his every movement is watched, while as a matter of fact he is most probably quite invisible to the enemy or operator.

It may be remarked that out of the three towns besieged Kimberley was the only one on which no assault was delivered. This was probably due in part to the searchlights, as Mafeking and Ladysmith both had employed mines, and had not the handicap of the enormous extension of the Kimberley defences combined with a totally inadequate garrison. In support of this view it may be mentioned that the enemy came down very close to Kenilworth at night until a light was mounted on No. 2 De Beers, after which they cleared off.








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Another very interesting part of the story.

Thank you again Neville,

Searchlights were used to signal in Morse code by flashing directly at the target, or, when the target was screened by hills, by flashing signals onto clouds.
I came across an amusing incident where the Boer searchlight interferred with Buller's searchlight on Spearman’s Hill -- which was signalling Ladysmith -- by sending rude messages such as: ‘What is Mr. Buller going to do, now Mr Roberts is coming out?’ (Jourdain, Ranging memories, p.98.)

Searchlights were also used by both sides, when in defensive positions, to guard against a night attack, in the same way that both sides used star shells.
Walter Putland wrote how, about midnight while crossing a ridge on the westward march to the upper Tugela, his unit had to lie down in the mud to avoid the Boers’ searchlight.(Personal Diary of Lance Corporal Walter Putland 2785 2nd Middlesex Regiment). I'd love to know where the Boer searchlight was located during the siege of Ladysmith.
Boers moving west to fight in the same battles experienced the same inconvenience from a British searchlight, presumably the one with Buller on Spearman's Hill. Cmdt Ludwig Krause of the Zoutpansberg Cdo was reinforcing the upper Tugela; he off-saddled in the veldt around 7:00 p.m. a short distance from Spioenkop, and slept in the open. British searchlights were sweeping the open country, so waited behind a hill for a favourable pportunity, and then dashed across the space that the searchlight had swept the moment before. (Krause, War Memoirs, p.58)

Rob,

It seems the Boers had at least two searchlights at Ladysmith, one stationed at the north end of Umbulwana, and the other on Telegraph Hill. The reports of correspondents from the Morning Post and the Daily Chronicle have differing opinions about the quality of the lamp on the former hill, one describing it as a "feeble affair" and the other as "a very brilliant electric light". I wonder whether this indicates that the brighter searchlight was moved during the siege. On 8 February, Sergeant-Major Bennett, 31st Company A.S.C., notes that the Boers were operating two searchlights, one on Umbulwana and the other on Surprise Hill, perhaps indicating the existence of a third lamp. At the beginning of December a light (perhaps one of the two mentioned above) was working "near Potgieter's" (letter from Sydney Thorrold, butcher, Frere Camp, 7 Dec 1899).


The Morning Post, 16th April 1900

The Siege of Ladysmith.
Record of the Chief Events.
Written by John Stuart, our war correspondent waiting for Buller.

We have no searchlights while they have two here: a feeble affair on Bulwana near the north end, and a very excellent light on Telegraph Hill. When Buller was wont to use sky signals at night, it was pathetic to see these two lights trying to spoil his message by throwing their pallid flashes against the clouds he played on.


Lancashire Evening Post, 9th January 1900

The [correspondent of the] “Daily Chronicle”, in a message, dated Dec. 31st, gives some interesting particulars in reference to the siege [of Ladysmith]. He says: –
…… The Boers have two powerful searchlights at work, and with one of them, a very brilliant electric light on Bulwana, they have tried to confuse our flashlight signalling, but so far they have failed.



From what I can gather, the first use of a searchlight by the Boers at Ladysmith was at 9 p.m. on 19th November 1899: "After nine at night we were astonished to see the beams of a searchlight sweeping Observation Hill. Our foes apparently had got an engine on the railway between Surprise Hill and Thornton's Kop with an electric light attached to it. They are evidently prepared to bring against us all the scientific appliances of modern warfare" (Pearse, H.H.S., pp. 87 - 88).




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