This article is based on the author's MA research report,
'Robben Island's Coastal Defence, 1931 - 1960', completed at the
University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Political
Studies, in 1998. The author has recently completed her PhD,
also at Wits, entitled 'Land Reform, Equity and Growth in South
Africa: A comparative analysis.' Robben Island's first military
purpose was to replace HMS Erebus as a static battleship. On 23
March 1939 it was announced that, from 1 September the monitor
Erebus, armed with 15-inch guns, would defend Cape Town. This
was arguably necessary because it would take at least four years
for the required coastal guns to arrive in South Africa. The
intention was to station HMS Erebus close to Robben Island where
it would serve to protect the ships in Table Bay Harbour until
fixed armaments had been established on the island. However, the
Erebus was never used. She was unsuitable for the rough seas
around the Cape, and a blast from one of her 15-inch guns could
have caused more damag