James Chapman (explorer) facts for kids

James Chapman was an amazing explorer, hunter, trader, and photographer from a place called the Cape Colony (which is now part of South Africa). He was born in Cape Town on December 27, 1831, and passed away in Kimberley on February 4, 1872, at the age of 40. He spent his life exploring the wild parts of Southern Africa and was one of the first people to take photos of these adventures.

James Chapman: An Adventurous Explorer

James Chapman grew up in Cape Town. When he was just 14, he moved to Durban. He later worked for the Native Affairs Department and then became one of the first storekeepers in Potchefstroom.

Exploring New Lands

In 1852, James Chapman began his exciting journeys. He traveled across the Limpopo River into the land of the Bamangwato people. He made friends with Khama, a chief's son, who helped him reach the Chobe River. The very next year, he explored the Zambesi River. He got very close to the famous Victoria Falls, almost discovering them before David Livingstone did!

Teaming Up for Discovery

By 1854, Chapman joined forces with another explorer, Samuel H. Edwards. They went on an expedition to Lake Ngami. After that, Chapman traveled through the northern parts of Bechuanaland (now Botswana) and the Zambesi area. He was a friendly person and got along well with the Bushman hunters of the desert. They helped him a lot during his long trips.

He returned to Lake Ngami and then headed north to the Okavango River. He crossed a region called Damaraland and finally reached Walvis Bay on the coast. For a while, he traded cattle in Damaraland.

The Big Expedition with Thomas Baines

One of Chapman's most famous trips was with his brother Henry and the artist Thomas Baines. This journey lasted from December 1860 to September 1864. Their main goal was to explore the Zambesi River, from Victoria Falls all the way to its mouth, to see if boats could travel on it.

However, this expedition faced many challenges, including sickness and bad luck. They did reach the Zambesi and, on July 23, 1862, they arrived at Victoria Falls. During this trip, Thomas Baines painted many of his well-known scenes, which were later made into an album of prints.

First Stereo Camera Use

This expedition was special because it was the first time a stereoscopic camera was used to record the journey. This type of camera takes two pictures at once, which can be viewed to create a 3D effect. The photos were not perfect, but prints of them can still be seen at the Africana Museum in Johannesburg.

The difficult journey took a toll on Chapman's health and finances. He returned to Cape Town in 1864, feeling unwell and discouraged.

Later Life and Work

Sir George Grey, a governor, asked Chapman to capture live animals and to create lists of words from Bantu languages. Chapman kept detailed diaries throughout his travels. His book, Travels in the Interior of South Africa, was published in 1868, not long before he passed away.

Chapman sometimes traveled with other famous people like Francis Galton and C.J. Andersson. He tried farming near the Swakop river in 1863 and 1864, but he had to leave his farm because of a war between the Nama and Ovaherero people. He chose not to get involved in the conflict.

From 1864 to 1870, he lived in different places in South Africa. Then, between 1870 and 1871, he returned to Hereroland and Ovamboland as a trader and hunter. He died at Du Toit's Pan, near Kimberley, on February 4, 1872, when he was 40 years old.

Family Connections

In 1857, James Chapman married Catherine Cecelia Roome. They had four children together.

William James Bushnell Chapman

One of their sons, William James Bushnell Chapman (1858–1932), also became a trader, hunter, and farmer. He moved to Namibia as a child in 1864. After spending ten years in Cape Town, he returned to Walvis Bay in 1874. He traded and hunted in Ovamboland and later farmed in Angola. In 1928, he moved to the Gobabis district of Namibia, where he passed away in 1932.

Charles Henry Chapman and the Titanic

Another son, Charles Henry Chapman, was born in Cape Town. He was a passenger on the famous RMS Titanic ship, which sank on April 15, 1912. He was traveling in second class and sadly died from the cold water and drowning. His body was later found. He had with him a family bible that belonged to his grandparents.

Henry Samuel Chapman

James Chapman's brother, Henry Samuel Chapman (1834–1922), was also an explorer. He arrived at Walvis Bay in 1860 and traveled widely as a hunter and trader between Walvis Bay, Ovamboland, Hereroland, Lake Ngami, and the Cape until 1863. He later lived in other parts of South Africa and passed away in 1922.

Images for kids

• 

  Victoria Falls, painted by Thomas Baines in 1865.