WAS YOUR ANCESTOR IN THE DURBAN WATER POLICE?

The following is an extract from "Twentieth Century Impressions of Natal":

The Water Police, who are stationed at Durban, are a body of men specially enlisted to patrol the harbour in boats or launches. The Docks are in charge of the Water Police, whose duty also consists in preventing contraband goods being passed through. They are closely connected with the Customs Department. They also assist in case of emergency with the lifeboat and life-saving apparatus. The force at the present time is much under its authorized strength. Its strength is about 53 constables and 4 officers and non-commissioned officers. The pay the men receive is on the same scale as the Railway Police, a constable receiving seven shillings a day. The whole charge of the wharves is left to them, the borough police of Durban (which, like the Pietermaritzburg borough police, is an entirely separate body) having no jurisdiction at the Port.