# Lüderitz–Seeheim Railway Completed (1908)

URL: https://allhistories.com/namibia/timeline/1908-luderitz-seeheim-railway-completed
Location: Lüderitz, Namibia
Themes: main-event

The railway from Lüderitz to Seeheim, 318 kilometres long, was completed in 1908. Wikipedia's Lüderitz article says it was built by inmates of the Shark Island camp. The Lüderitz–Aus section had been completed in 1906. In 1909 the Karasburg–Keetmanshoop line was completed, connecting the south to the network. The coastal line served both the diamond fields and the southern farming districts. A 500-kilometre connection from Karasburg to Windhoek was completed in 1912, forming part of the 869-kilometre line from Nakop to Windhoek. Keetmanshoop's railway station building dates from 1908. The Upington extension into South Africa was built in 1915. The Seeheim–Lüderitz line is not currently operational, and a gap of 47 kilometres to Aus has been stalled since 2009, according to Wikipedia. South African Railways took over the German network after the First World War, and in 1915 the Upington extension linked it with the Union's lines. At this point in the timeline (1908), Bruno von Schuckmann (20 May 1907 – 20 Jun 1910) held the post of Governor in the German colony of South West Africa.

## Why it matters
The railway tied the south to the coast and is also remembered for its use of forced labour.

Ruler at the Time: [Bruno von Schuckmann](https://allhistories.com/namibia/rulers/bruno-von-schuckmann-1907)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Rail transport in Namibia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Namibia)
- [Wikipedia — Lüderitz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%BCderitz)
- [Wikipedia — Keetmanshoop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keetmanshoop)