WOLRAAD WOLTEMADE

In South Africa Wolraad Woltemade is a name synonymous with self-sacrificing courage. It was a stormy night in June 1773. All night the storm raged. The five ships in Table Bay were buffeted all night and pounded by the turbulent waves. Bright streaks of lightening lit up the imposing Table Mountain and the little settlement of Cape Town. Few of the sailors got much sleep that stormy night as the wooden ships creaked and groaned and strained at their anchors. Captain Barend Lameren was concerned as his ship, De Jonge Thomas, began to drag its anchor. There were 270 men, women and children on board the ship, along with a valuable cargo from the East.

As the storm intensified, the Captain ordered the ship’s cannon fired to warn the people on shore that they may need help. Shortly after 5 AM De Jonge Thomas broke loose from its anchor and began to be forced onto the jagged rocks of Salt River. With a loud crash the ship broke in half and passengers and sailors began falling into the raging sea. Many drowned attempting to swim to shore.

Soon a platoon of 30 soldiers came marching up. The officer in charge warned people who had gathered on shore not to go near the turbulent waters.

Just then an old man on a large black horse rode up. He was Wolraad Woltemade, the zookeeper. Throwing off his coat and shirt, Woltemade took a rope and galloped into the turbulent sea. As he and his horse reached the ship he threw out the rope and made for shore towing two men behind. As they reached the shore, bystanders hurried to help them.

Immediately, Woltemade turned his horse around and plunged back into the icy sea. Seven times, he rode and swam out to the ship rescuing 14 people.

The bystanders and soldiers on the shore insisted that he could not carry on. His horse was too tired and the storm was too intense. But the cries from the ship spurred Wolraad Woltemade on. Though exhausted he plunged back into the sea an eighth time, swimming through the wild waves to the stricken De Jonge Thomas. This time 6 men leapt from the ship, and grabbed hold of the horse’s mane, bridle and tail. It was too much, Wolraad Woltemade and his horse plunged beneath the waves under the weight of so many panicking people. They all sank beneath the waves and were drowned.

In honour of Wolraad Woltemade’s unselfish sacrifice and bravery, the Dutch East India Company named a ship after him: De Held Woltemade. Later, the Republic of South Africa made the Wolraad Woltemade the highest award for bravery in the country.

To Christians Wolraad Woltemade stands out as an example of dedication to saving the lost.

“Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;

Weep over the erring one, lift up the fallen, tell them of Jesus, the Mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying; Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save…

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it; strength for thy labour the Lord will provide;

Back to the narrow way, patiently win them; tell the poor wanderer a Saviour has died.”

Peter Hammond

Frontline Fellowship
PO Box 74
Newlands
7725
Cape Town
South Africa
www.frontline.org.za