The history of Chapman’s Peak Drive Posted on 15 April 2020 Chapman’s Peak Drive has been named one of the most scenic drives in the world. It is undoubtedly an iconic route and links Hout Bay and Noordhoek in Cape Town. The steep cliffs and winding road will keep you enthralled throughout your journey. If you have ever wondered how Chappies came to be, here is the history of this costal road. Chapman’s Peak Drive was named after John Chapman, a captain’s mate of an English ship called the Consent. According to the Chapman’s Peak Drive website, Chapman was sent ashore by the captain when the ship they were sailing in was unable to move due to a lack of wind. The bay the crew was stuck in is now known as Hout Bay. Chapman’s mission was to find provisions that would assist the men aboard. The captain later recorded the bay as ‘Chapman’s Chaunce’ (chance). In the early 1900s, Sir Frederic De Waal ordered that a road between Hout Bay and Noordhoek be constructed. There were many uncertainties but the road was cleverly planned out. ‘Despite the steep, unstable cliffs and ravines the road was carefully thought out with the road surface based on the solid and conveniently located 630-million-year-old Cape Granite contour. Many roadside cuttings were carved out of the more workable Malmesbury series sediments,’ states the official website. Construction on the nine-kilometre coastal road began in 1915 and took seven years to complete. Construction on the granite contour ensured the stability and safety of the route, which is situated on a near-vertical cliff face. Construction began on the Hout Bay side of the route and later the Noordhoek side. On 6 May 1922, Chapman’s Peak Drive was opened by Prince Arthur of Connaught, the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa. Chapman’s Peak has been opened and closed numerous times due to unsafe conditions. In 2000 the road was closed until 2003 after a number of fatal accidents. Chapman’s Peak Drive has many measures in place to ensure the safety of those who travel along it. If conditions are unfavourable or high-risk, the drive will be closed. While Capetonians stuck at home can’t take this drive anytime soon, these photos showcase the beauty of Chappies. View this post on Instagram •Chapman’s Peak• I’m not sure I’ve been up Chapmans Peak when it’s been sunny!! Even when it’s overcast the view over Hout Bay is just the best!! Miss this. • • • #southafrica #capetown #chapmanspeak #chappies #houtbay #westerncape #travel #traveladdict #wanderlust #travelphotography #travelshots #scenic #takemeback #missthis A post shared by Kelly P-K (@kellypk82) on Apr 12, 2020 at 9:03am PDT View this post on Instagram Chapman’s Peak #capetown #discoversouthafrica #meetsouthafrica #capetownviews #capetownbest #beautifulearth#best_earthscapes #capetownsouthafrica #chapmanspeak #canonrsa #canonphotographer #canon #canon80d #canonphotographers #nature #mountains #mountainview #mountaintop #mountainscapes #southafrican #sa #lovecapetown #capetownlife #outdoorphotography #landscapephotography #travel #traveller #travelphotography #favouriteplace A post shared by Kashrina Sookraj (@kash_sookraj_) on Apr 12, 2020 at 4:47am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Safiya BEATRIZ SUA GUIA (@souabiasuaguia) on Apr 12, 2020 at 2:50am PDT View this post on Instagram Missing my sunset drives up @chapmanspeakdrive…! This one was probably the best I’ve ever seen in 5 years of living in Hout Bay…those colours! What are you missing the most after 16 days? Or is it Day 2 of 21 again? Who knows! Feels like 574 to me! All that matters is to stay at home! Happy Easter weekend everyone! 🔐💕🌄🇿🇦 • • 📸 PLP (Pre-lockdown photo) Chapman’s Peak main viewpoint, 5 May 2019. • #houtbay #capetown #sunset #lockdownsa #meetsouthafricalater #chapmanspeak #viewslikethese #stayathome #southafricanskies #cityofcapetownskies #igerscapetown #easterweekend #kaapstad #inhoutbay #sunsetsofinstagram #travelfromhome #capetownetc #sunsetskies #instagramcapetown #capetownskies #sky_captures #capetownisawesome #thisissouthafrica #meetcapetown #capetowninfo #meetcapetown #lovecapetown #amazingcapetown #kapstadt #southafrica A post shared by The Green Room, Hout Bay (@greenroomselfcatering) on Apr 11, 2020 at 10:25am PDT View this post on Instagram Meanwhile Up in the mountains After the fire Flowers #capetownliving #tablemountainnationalpark #chapmanspeak #houtbay #hangberg #flowers #seascape #stayhome A post shared by Earthkeeper (@free_range_nun) on Apr 10, 2020 at 9:06pm PDT View this post on Instagram ***BLP before lockdown picture Easter Saturday… Looks like it’s going to be a rainy day indoors… OK a rainy day while we indoors… Because I don’t see clouds in my lounge 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️. No better time to crack on with some Mallow eggs today. . . . . . #amazingcapetown #seecapetown #visitcapetown #thisiscapetown #ig_capetown #capetownbest #capetowncity #capetownskies #capepeninsula #capetowntourism #secretcapetown #cometocapetown #thisissouthafrica #aboutsouthafrica #capetownisawesome #southafrica #chapmanspeakdrive #chapmanspeak #lovecapetown #instagramcapetown #capetownetc #cityofcapetown #capetown A post shared by Adrian Paulsen (@adrian.paulsen.7) on Apr 11, 2020 at 12:32am PDT View this post on Instagram Happy Easter weekend! 🐰 #easter #bunny #capetown #amazingcapetown #capetownsouthafrica #southafrica #travelcontent #chapmanspeak #lovecapetown #iamhendrik_create #thisissouthafrica #fujifilmsainlockdown #fugifilmsaxt200 A post shared by iamhendrik (@iamhendrik_create) on Apr 10, 2020 at 2:00am PDT Image: Unsplash Related Posts Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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