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Untitled Document
BONDI – THE HMS VERBENA MASCOT
There is an Indian legend which says when a human dies there is a bridge they must cross to enter into heaven. At the head of that bridge waits every animal that human encountered during their lifetime. The animals, based upon what they know of this person, decide which humans may cross the bridge…….and which are turned away…
- Unknown |
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HMS Verbena, a Royal Navy Sloop of the Flower Class, was built at the Blyth Dockyard and launched on the 15th November 1915. She was later assigned to the Africa Station where, from her base at Simonstown, she paid regular visits to ports on the Southern African Coast. It was during a visit to Lourenco Marques (Maputo) in 1928 that the crew was presented with a pedigreed bulldog by the people of that city.
The dog was named “Bondi” and as a ship’s mascot his name was entered on the ship’s list, and he drew an allowance for victuals from the Admiralty. Sadly “Bondi” died during Verbena’s third visit to Knysna in January 1931. The crew of the Verbena were due to give a variety concert in the Knysna Town Hall on Friday night 30th January 1931. A party was sent ashore to decorate the hall for the event, and had to march up from the wharf. “Bondi” joined the men on this march, on a very hot afternoon, and he collapsed and died from sunstroke near the Town Hall. |
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The only known picture of Bondi, on which the bronze sculpture was based.
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Rear Admiral Koos Louw of the South African Navy with Karel du Toit the sculptor of Bondi, at the unveiling of the bronze during the 2004 Oyster Festival.
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“Bondi” was buried on the wharf just north of the old warehouse and a wooden tombstone placed at the head of the grassy mound, which marked his final resting place. A brass plate with the inscription “Bondi of HMS Verbena” was screwed to the tombstone. The ship’s log for Friday 30th January 1931 records very simply “16.00. – The ship’s pet bulldog, Bondi, died ashore of sunstroke”. Thereafter, whenever a British ship visited Knysna a detail of seamen was sent ashore to polish the brass and clip the grass on “Bondi’s” grave.
This tradition was kept up until the outbreak of war in 1939. During the war years Thesens were involved in the building of 10 “little ships” (Fairmiles) and the wharf became a restricted area. British ships no longer visited the Port. It was not until 1948 with the visit of HMS Nereide to Knysna that the tradition of grave tending was revived, their last visit being in 1953. The Knysna Harbour was closed to shipping in 1954 so bringing to an end it’s links with the Royal Navy, started in 1817 by HMS Emu. |
In 2001, the story of “Bondi” was brought to the attention of Capt. Andrew Blake of SAS Umhloti by Knysna resident Chris Henwood, and with a visit by the Navy on the 13th July of that year, the tradition was resumed.
From that time onwards the South African Navy on their annual visits to the Knysna Oyster Festival have tended “Bondi’s” grave. It has been reconstructed, the area paved and a concrete headstone has been made by Lt.-Cdr. Steve Eriksen. His Sea Cadets carry on with the job of keeping the grave in trim shape in between the Navy’s visits. |
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Artist Karel du Toit with his rendition of the famous naval mascot.
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Bondi in his position at the Knysna Quays, where he collects funds for Knysna Animal Welfare.
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During the Knysna Oyster Festival in 2004, Rear-Admiral Louw unveiled a bronze statue of “Bondi” at the Knysna Quays.
Karel du Toit, one of South Africa’s prominent sculptors, and resident of Knysna, created the bronze using the only known reference of the dog which is seen in a photograph with a seaman. Karel donated his talent and time freely to the creation of the art piece, whilst Peter Meese of Knysna Quays generously provided the funds for the bronze casting.
Today, “Bondi” stands proudly at the Quays shopping precinct on Waterfront Drive, where funds collected in the “drop-in safe” go toward helping Knysna Animal Welfare’s various projects. |
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