The unique village of Cullinan, named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, bears the distinction of being the site of discovery of the world's largest diamond. Thomas Major Cullinan, an influential building contractor, tried to obtain an option on the a farm but failed. When the farmer Willem Prinloo died in 1898, Maria Prinsloo became the new owner shortly before the Anglo Boer War (1898-1902) broke out. After the war the brothers of Maria Prinsloo returned to the farm. The Prinsloo family were in dire need of money. When Thomas Cullinan started new negotiations with the family, they agreed to the outright sale of the farm for the sum £52,000.
Prospecting started immediately and in early April 1903 William McHardy became the first general manager. Production began on 24th April 1903 when the first steam plant, which comprised of three rotary pans, known as No.1 gear, was put into commission. By 1904 the prosperous mine already employed more than 2000 people. On the 25th January 1905 a diamond with the mass of 3,106 carats in its uncut state was found in the side-wall of the open pit. |
