Cape Town - the docks before 1880

These photographs of Cape Town’s docks show vessels that are more than just boats; they are symbolic carriers of human hope, fear, and ambition. Ships, throughout history, have represented a crucial link between cultures, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and, unfortunately, diseases. From the ancient Egyptians who buried solar barques with pharaohs to ensure their safe passage into the afterlife, to the Vikings who saw their longboats as extensions of their own warrior spirit, ships have always been imbued with deep cultural significance. One sees echoes of this in modern cargo ships transporting shipping containers, each holding dreams and expectations. The docks themselves, bustling with activity, remind us that every journey involves not just movement, but also waiting, preparation, and the emotional weight of departure and return. They are a meeting point where the known world meets the vast unknown, stirring deep, subconscious anxieties about what lies beyond the horizon. Thus, these images capture not just a moment in time, but the enduring human relationship with exploration and trade. They are a testament to the non-linear progression of symbols, which constantly resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.