Andrew Geddes Bain was born in Thurso, Scotland in June 1797. He arrived in Cape Town in October 1816, at the age of 19. He married Marie Elizabeth von Backstrom, of German descent.

Four years later, they settled in Graaf Reinet in the Eastern Cape and had ten children - eight girls and two boys. He began road building. His son, Thomas was to become as illustrious a road maker as his father.

Andrew travelled the country extensively. The nature of his work brought him into daily contact with geological phenomena and he became fascinated with the science of geology. With his vast knowledge of the country, he built a comprehensive picture of the country's geology and geomorphology.

He also collected fossils and made some significant finds. His published research findings,``The Geology of  South Africa", later earned him the title ``Father of South African Geology."

It was in his capacity as Inspector of Roads that he built Bainskloof Pass. This he considered his greatest achievement. Bain had no formal training in engineering. He died on 20th October, at the age of sixty five. He was a true South African and scientific genius. His road building benefited many South Africans and brought prosperity to many.

The Convict System

Slaves could not be used to build the pass, as the British had a abolished slavery in 1834.

Between 300 - 450 convicts were used at any one time. The convicts who built Bains Kloof Pass were from a wide variety of races - Hottentots, Bushmen, English, Irish, French, Dutch, Malay, Halfcast, American, Kafir, ex-slave and Coloured. All were treated equally.

Their crimes ranged from arson, robbery and rape to man-slaughter.  They were given adequate food, accommodation, medical care and even spiritual and educational guidance. Diligent labour  and good conduct were rewarded with money. Earning ``good conduct tickets"counted towards remission of sentence.

Many felons spent time being chained together - six on one chain. At various places along the pass, large iron rings are set into the rock as resting places for chain gangs

There are many convict legends by none as widely recorded as the antics of  Convict No.1080 - the notorious ``Scotty" or ``Kwaai" Smith, a burglar. He could be regarded as having been the South African equivalent of Robin Hood. He made several unsuccessful attempts to escape when he was periodically unchained. One story has it that after one such attempt, he was forced to roll a boulder back and forth for hours on end. A newspaper report on the newly opened goal in Cape Town claimed that the cells were so secure that ``even  Smith" would find it difficult if not impossible to overcome.

Construction Of The Pass

In 1849, Bain concentrated on building the Wellington (Western)side of the pass. His first task was to build a service road to allow passage for wagons, to haul material and set up accommodation. The gradient from the Wellington side until the Neck rose from 300m above sea level to 579m. Several gullies were filled and numerous retaining walls were built. Bain used a dry-masonry method of construction throughout (no cement). He attempted to build a tunnel on the western side, but it later caved in.

Stone wedges are interlocked. A series of wedges, sharp point down overlays a series of sharp wedges pointed upwards, course above course until the required height is reached.

Under load the one course compresses into the other, increasing the rigidity of the roadbed.

Building on the downslope side took three years to complete. Construction was far more difficult because of the hard quartzitic sandstone rocks. Two bridges were built. Besides retaining walls - some 20 metres high, parapets and kerb stones had to be erected.  The kerb stones, each weighing about a ton, were positioned at 5 - 10 metre intervals.

The kerb stones were necessary to stop the oxen from wandering off the road.

It took 1608 working days (four years) and 53 days per kilometre to complete the 30km Pass.