German Refugees
Carl August Fredrick, born 1827 was 21 years old when the First Schleswig War or Three Years’ War, the first round of military conflict in southern Denmark and northern Germany rooted in the Schleswig-Holstein Government, Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. The war, which lasted from 1848 to 1851, also involved troops from Prussia and Sweden. Carl was born in Niederlanden, Germany. Carl’s Father (Johann Fredrick) was a Dane but married a Prussian lady (Marie Elizabeth Babst) from Prussia. Carl did not have a choice but to participate in the Prussian side of the war. This war created a host of bad feelings between the families of Danes and Germans. Ultimately, under international pressure, the Prussians had to withdraw their forces.
The war ended in Danish victory over the rebels and the signing of the London Protocol in 1852.
The Germans were not happy with the outcome and prepared for a second conflict, the Second Schleswig War. Carl met his wife Frederike Mant in Felchow after moving away from Niederlanden. Carl Fredrick and Frederike Mant married in Angermunde in 1853.
War talk started to heat up again in 1858. Germans prepared and enlarged its Army for the attack they planned against Denmark.
It was about this time that Carl heard about the Brittish Governor Grey seeking German and Danish Farmers in Cape Town. George Grey was the only son of Lieutenant-Colonel Grey of the 30th Div. His father was killed at the sack of Badajoz in the Peninsular War, eight days before he was born in Lisbon. He was educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and granted a commission in the 83rd Div. in 1829. He left the Army in 1839, by which time he had achieved the rank of captain.
When he arrived at the Cape in 1854, Grey succeeded Sir George Cathcart as Governor and High Commissioner of the Cape Colony. At this time, Britain was facing war in the Crimea (1853–56) and the Indian Mutiny (1857). His order keeps peace on the frontier and in Natal and to project tactful but firm diplomatic relations with the Boer republics.
At this point, Grey seriously overreached himself, laid his proposals for Farming Contracts to Danish and German immigration and for federation with the Free State before the Cape legislature.
This indiscretion incurred wrath of superiors at the British Colonial Office, who were already dismayed at the high costs of his undertakings and alarmed about the financial deficit building up at the Cape. British officials refused to sanction his Farming and federation schemes, and he immediately recalled in 1859.
The colonists held Grey in high regard when he left the Cape in August 1859. On his arrival in London, he found there had been a change of government, and he was reappointed, on condition that he dropped his federation and farming proposals. Grey sent back to the Cape, but not for long (1860–1861). He was restored to office and sent out as Governor to New Zealand in 1861.
The Fredrick family boarded Prince Alfred in 1860 and travelled to Cape Town.
Carl Fredrick, Arbeiter (33)from Felchow (Pr.), with Frau Friederike (32) and August (7), Wilhelm (4), Wilhelmine (3).
Passagiere des’ Alfred’ am 11. August 1860
Carl was pleased to leave Germany as a refugee. He and his family was a mix of Prussian and Danish heritage forced to flee Prussia because of persecution, war and violence. Carl had a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence, sometimes forced against their own family, are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.
Carl felt unstable stepping onto solid ground. He had become used to the Alfred moving back and forth on the giant waves of the sea. Beautiful to feel mother earth under his feet, enjoyed the cold seawater on his ankles and the sand between his toes.
The euphoria of being on land and the marvel of Table Mountain, with the Cape houses, stunned Carl, and he was in awe of the surrounding scenery.
Carl caught up to Frederike, took her in his arms and kissed her with so much force that she softly had to remind him that they were not alone.
Carl let go of Frederike and turned his scrutiny to their children. August, now seven years old, was romping in the foam, oblivious of the commotion and bustle on the remote beach. Seagulls waded in and out of the same foam, fishing on the sardines and other living creatures which were present in significant abundance. Wilhelm and Wilhelmine sat on the beach, close to Frederike, running the sand through their little fingers.
Carl Babst, his wife, Justine, and three children were also sitting close to Frederike. Carl Babst, the brother of Carl’s mother, also decided to immigrate to South Africa along with the Fredrick family. Carl was thankful that Carl and Justine had agreed to join them. Some of the Fredrick and Babst parents had passed on some years ago. Frederike’s mother, Dorothea, was still alive but her father, Martin Mandt had died in 1852.
Both Carl and his uncle were farmworkers and the opportunities to become a British assisted farmer with his own land was very inviting! Life had also become strict in Germany, and the chances of becoming a full-scale farmer were slim.
A German voice called ‘Achtung’ twice. Startled and reminded of army days, looked up from where he was playing with Wilhelm and Wilhelmine. Instructions in German were coming through thick and fast from a smartly dressed man, standing at the perimeter of the passengers, ordering the new arrivals to move closer. Carl and Frederike picked up their children as an official announcement was about to be made.
Passengers welcomed to the Cape Colony, and the speaker introduced himself as Carl Wilhelm Otto and the other gentlemen as an honourable representative for the British Cape Government and Shipping Agents.
The passengers waited in anticipation as the Englishman, introduced as Rees, conversed with Wilhelm Otto. The passengers could not understand what was being said. Looking at the grim-faced men, Carl decided that he did not like the one introduced as Rees as he appeared aloof, arrogant and unfriendly. There was a master-servant relationship between Rees and Otto that could clearly be sensed by all.
Otto started to translate what was said by Rees. The next few words came as a shock to many passengers.
“British Government welcomes you to the Cape Colony, but unfortunately, no longer accommodate you as British assisted farmers”. “The British Government has agreed to refund your passage to South Africa and pay for your repatriation back to Germany if you so wish. You can return to Germany on the Alfred. The Ship leaves in three days!”
The words were a double blow. All knew too well how weak the relationship between German farm owners and their workers were in Germany.
Carl watched the impassive face of Rees intently while Otto translated. The smug smile of Rees and his snakelike eyes would haunt him for some time in the future. The womenfolk started sobbing while their men uttered words of disbelief.
Carl could not contain himself as he surged forward, shouting “English bastard, what is the real reason for cancelling our farming contracts?”
His wrath directed at Rees. Frederike saw some armed Red Coats appearing as from nowhere, she tried to warn and restrain him but was too late.
The butt of a rifle exploded on the right side of Carl’s head, and he found himself lying on his stomach in the dirt
The anxious passengers were stunned into quietness by the abruptness of the assault, Gaining back their composure some Germans expressed words of dismay. With his head feeling as if it was ready to explode, he heard Otto pleading for calm.
Explaining that the simple reason for the cancellation was a British matter which was not open for discussion. Carl was now entirely sure that a great injustice was done to them all. Haltingly, he was helped to his feet by some of the passengers.
With a piece of her under robe, dosed in seawater, Frederike stems the flow of blood from Carl’s eye. Fleeing your Homeland to be accosted by this painful experience, was just too much! Carl knew in his heart that he could not return to Germany and fight his own family.
What Now!!!
