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Message from the Chairman: Mike Bosazza
As I write this, it is a very cold and windy day in Cape Town but when you read this it may be spring. Spring makes everyone think of new things to do, projects to tackle and new ideas for improvements.
However, when you read this Newsletter, I believe you will realise that the NHT has not been hibernating in winter and that, in fact, there has been a great deal of activity. Books and Naval Digests are in the pipeline, oral histories continue to be collected and old ones have been refreshed. Research, writing and opportunities have continued. The NHT team does not rest on its laurels.
Perhaps our biggest challenge at this time is the SAS Assegaai project. For those of us who remember the submarine museum as she was some years ago, the prospect of having her restored and open again is very exciting. This asset of the Naval Museum will prove to be one of them most exciting exhibits which will not only interest sub-mariners but also educate the public (especially children) about a vital aspect of the Navy.
Funding is always an issue and as Admiral Teuteberg says, if you have any ideas about sponsorship they will be gratefully received and pursued. The more money there is, the more we can do to make the Assegaai project more interactive and informative.
Finally, I just want to invite you to interact with the NHT. If there are tales you want to tell, photos you want to share, books you want to read or donate please contact us. Please don’t move and forget to tell us your new address. Please don’t lose touch.
And have a good Spring.
Regards
Mike Bosazza
The Trustees and Board members at the last AGM
Front: Andre Wessels, Mike Bosazza, Glen Knox, Arne Soderlund
Second row: Leon Steyn, Chris Dooner, Glynnis Hellemann, Eddie Wesselo, Trunell Morom. Mac Bisset, David Harrison
Books in the pipeline
Day by Day is having a complete update covering the period 1488 – 2022. This book has progressed well and is still due for publishing before year end. Glen Knox and Harry Harrison are processing this book with additional text and photos.
The Navy Band history was started by Kenny Leibrandt. He has now retired. Naval Heritage is looking for an eager writer to take up the pen to finish this book off. A great deal of the research has already been completed. An in-depth knowledge of the SA Navy Band will assist in completing this book.
SATS General Botha WWII war record is being processed by Mac Bisset and Tony Nicholas from the SATS GB this book could be ready for publication in Nov/Dec 2022.
Honour and Duty stories from the SATS General Botha by Ian Manning and Peter Rogers is nearing completion with publication in the last quarter of 2022
SA Marines – this book is on hold until a suitable author for the project is found.
History of the Strike Craft. Being compiled by Chris Myers in consultation with many others. This project is just getting underway and will be on the go for at least 2 years
The Prof Wessels book A CENTURY OF SOUTH AFRICAN NAVAL HISTORY. The South African Navy and its predecessors. 1922 – 2022 is still available to Naval Heritage Society members at R280 + postage. As is R Adm Allan Du Toit`s Naval Digest number 33, A Navy for the Nation at R50. These are the members prices
Naval Digests (ND) in the pipeline
The proposed digests below are in no particular order and will be published as and when ready:
Ton Class Minesweepers by Bill Rice. This ND has now been completed and in the final stages of extensive proofreading. It is hoped to be published by end September
Phoenix Flotilla of the Iron Men in Wooden Ships, by Peter Rogers Story. This ND is progressing well with publication early in 2023
A Man for all Seasons, V Adm Johan Retief, by Arne Soderlund. This ND is presently being proofread for publication in 2023
Voyage to the Ice – SAS Outeniqua by Arne Soderlund, this Digest is complete however Heritage is awaiting approval from the original author, as her notes were used to compile the Digest.
SAS Protea This ND is being compiled by Cdr Leon Steyn from the SA Naval Museum. This is well advanced, and it is hoped to be completed during 2023
Operations Pullen and White Dove, Drakensberg and Outeniqua visits to the Congo – Arne Soderlund. This Naval Digest is still in the process of being put together. Publication possibly 2023
Coastal Naval Artillery and Gun Placements around the Cape Peninsula by Chris Dooner. This ND could be in 2 volumes and is in the research stage with possible publication in 2024
Top Sports Men and Women of the SAN 1922 – 2023, By Cdr Henriette Moller. This ND is being researched and is presently 130 pages strong. Naval Heritage would very much like to hear for the members of any top sports person they can remember>this will greatly assist in the research.
Naval Heritage Trust and Naval Museum working together.
Naval Heritage and the Naval Museum are working well together. The Museum has assisted in research into the contents of Books and Naval Digests presently being written. The NHT assisted in the funding of the Navy 100 display in the museum.
The new hanging boards detailing the SA Naval history 1922 to 2022
The Naval Museum continues to be one of the best Nautical Museum`s in SA and is always well worth visiting time and again
NHT Office
The NHT office is situated in Court Road Simon`s Town below the Simon’s Town Museum and next to the Snookie Shellhole. The office is open for members to visit on Mondays and Thursdays between 0930 and 1200. If you in the area you are most welcome to pop in for a cup of tea or coffee. You will then be able to view the Heritage collection of books, paintings and Oral Histories in the Office. The office is run by Les Gale and he is happy to welcome all visitors
Postage
Getting the Naval Digests and books delivered is becoming a problem for those living outside the South Peninsula. As the Post Office is becoming more unreliable each day and using POSTNET for a single book is very expensive. The option of using the PEP Store delivery has been used and found to be a safe delivery method.
It is requested that for members outside Cape Town to please let us know your closest PEP store which could be used for delivery. Also need would be your cell number. This additional info can be sent to either Glen Knox or Andre Wessels.
Tim Johnson Prints
The Trust has acquired a few sets of the Tim Johnson naval vessel prints which are available for purchase by the Society members. There are two packs,
The first being the collection of 6 vessels, Drakensberg, Outeniqua, Strike Craft, Protea, A River Class Hunter and a submarine. This set of 5 prints sells for R450.
The second set is of 4 prints depicting the 4 Valour class frigates. This set sells for R300.
Each set is sold complete and cannot be split up for single prints. These print sets can be obtained from Glen Knox or by visiting the NHT Office.
NHT Library of Collected Books
The Trust continues to build its library of Nautical Books and magazines. The book collection is now over 600 books. These are available to members for reading at the NHT Office. The full list of all the books is available on request.
A request to all members when clearing out those forgotten boxes and shelves, please remember the Trust. We are always on the lookout for Nautical themed books and in particular those with a South African theme.
The office now has a growing collection of duplicate and other nautical and military type books which although interesting do not fit into the collection categories. These books are available for sale to boost the Trust funds. These book prices vary between R20 and R250 and are available to members for purchase.
These books can be purchased through Glen Knox. The cost of postage will need to be added, unless picked up from the NHT Office in Simon`s Town or hand delivered within the Cape Town area. His contact details are glenknox090@gmail.com
Oral History Program
Every day of your life is a page of your history
The Trusts Oral History program has continued through the Covid Lockdown with numerous proof readings continuing and even members writing their own Oral Histories. There are now 251 completed Oral Histories in our archives. Heritage Society members are welcome to visit the office and read any of the Oral Histories on file. Since adding photos to each document, they have become even more interesting.
One-on-One recordings have recommenced and both Glen and Eddie have started to make inroads into the considerable backlog. Numerous Mini Oral Histories with the info being obtained from family members, old Navy News articles and other documents continue.
Oral Histories completed so far this this year include . Capt Kevin Packer took up the writing of his own and has had it printed professionally. It is a magnificent effort and is a credit to him and his fine recollection of his Naval Career. Capt Tim Johnson, CPO Johnny Walker have now also completed theirs and Adriaan Dommisse in Australia compiled his own splendid book of his life and times
Those still outstanding and busy with proof reading and additions, include:
WO1 Roy Marks, Lt Cdr van Blerck (Being completed by his son Johann) and Capt Preston Barnard having section 2 typed up. Both Mark Tomlinson and Hanlu van der Poel have just had their recordings completed
Own writing has also caught on with, Gerrit Rademeyer, Rob Shelly, Nigel Peddie, Johan Swiegers and Chris Dooner who are all busy with their own writing projects. A third party is attempting to complete the late Tony Randal`s Oral History
The list of possible new recordings is now over 160 with more and more retirements taking place each month. We would encourage Society members to start writing their own Oral Histories, an hour or two each week is all it takes. However, if you would prefer a recording to be conducted as part of this Heritage project, please get in contact with Glen Knox on his e mail glenknox090@gmail.com or through WhatsApp on 084 686 1384
Membership
New members to the NHT Society are warmly welcomed and we trust you will all enjoy the publications produced and interacting with the Trust and Society members
The new members for April to August 2022 are:
Gerde Putter Chris Manig
Theo Honiball Richards Evans
Holman Brad Keith Milne
T Lauri Paul Noddings
Frank Schuman Keith Hartley
J Viljoen Jimmy Frieslaar
Paul Jacobs TS Woltemade
TS Knysna TS Lanherne
Hanlu van der Poel
We would like to encourage all Society members to recruit amongst their own friends and other retired Naval and Defence personnel who are not yet members to join up if they are interested in SA Navy and SA Naval Heritage. The Application form is on the SA Naval Heritage fb site and also on the web page.
The paid-up membership for the Naval Heritage Society now stands at 223. This number has remained the same over the past few months as there have unfortunately been deaths amongst the members. Other members who do not respond to emails and are non-paying for two years are removed from the Heritage data base.
18 Posted Naval Digests 33 and 34 were returned with address unknown. This was a waste of R190 in postage fees. The returned ND`s will only be reposted if a confirmed new address is supplied.
If you are moving home or changing your email addresses, kindly update your new addresses with Andre Wessels. Confirmation of your E Mail, postal address and cell numbers may be sent to the membership secretary at nhtmembership@gmail.com
Corporate Membership
A Corporate Membership was offered to the Sea Cadets of SA. Of the 11 bases around the country 3 were put into the program. With this membership a full set of Naval Digests was present to each base. The cost of these sets is R1700. The three Sea Cadet Units are TS Woltemade (Cape Town) TS Knysna (Knysna) and TS Lanherne (Port Elizabeth). Each unit will also receive the Naval Digests as they are published for the next 2 years. They will also be entitled to purchase the Naval Heritage publications at the discounted member’s price. It is hoped that more units will also soon come on board with this offer. It is also hoped that this membership will broaden the knowledge of the SA Naval history to the young cadets.
Corporate Membership has also been taken up by the Simon`s Town Heritage Society. They still must supply their list of members before they can start purchasing books at the Members discounted prices
Naval Heritage Website
The Naval Heritage web page is looking very good and continues to be maintained by the Web Master, Nicholas Dunn.
We encourage all our Society members to log on and see the additional items on display. The link for the site is navalheritagetrust.co.za
Typing in SA Naval Heritage Trust will also link you to the page.
Additional Books and Naval Digests can also be ordered through the web site.
Where can you purchase Naval Heritage books and Digests?
All our published Naval Digests and books are available at the NHT Office in Simon`s Town or through the Naval Heritage web page. Remember paid up members get a big discount on all purchases.
Other stockists include Enkosi Africa gift and souvenir shop in Simon`s Town. The Bookworm Fantasy, Main Road Somerset West, Select Books Kenilworth. These shops only hold a selection of the inventory and sell the publications at the full price.
Special deals on Naval Digests
The Trust has made full sets of the Naval Digests number 1 to 34 available to members at just R800. Normal price R1700 for this set. Postage of R99 with POSTNET will need to be added in unless collected in person from the NHT office Simon’s Town or in Muizenberg.
Naval Digest numbers 1-34 at R800 a set
To celebrate the Navy 100, NHT will keep this offer of 34 Naval Digests at R800 available until end December 2022. To obtain this bargain contact Glen Knox
SA Naval Heritage Society Facebook site
This site continues to grow each month and has become extremely popular with 6844 members having joined the site since it commissioned in 2009. There have been many positive interactions on the site which have highlighted new and interesting items on the SAN. The daily Shipwreck Heritage Report is also included, this makes for fascinating reading each day.
Are you a member of this Facebook site yet? If not click on it and join in the daily discussions.
Naval Heritage Yearly Subs
Naval Heritage Subs are often slow in coming in even with Andre Wessels our Membership Sec sending out an email when your subs are due. To all those who have submitted their subs, Many Thanks, these subs ensure we can get at least two Naval Digests out to you all each year. This year we are aiming for three ND`s
Please ensure you do not fall behind in your subs. The yearly cost is still R150 and will not be increased this year even though the cost of publications and postage has put a strain on the available funds.
Assegaai Submarine Project
SUBMARINE MUSEUM NEWS: 25 AUG 22: Released by R Adm (Ret) Hanno Teuteberg, Chairman ASSEGAAI Submarine Museum Sub- Committee
- A status report on the Submarine Museum project was provided during a presentation to NOASA members at Seven Seas Club on 25 Aug 22.
- The plans and designs to move the submarine is progressing at a pace. With the SAN / NHT Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) now approved, tangible action is now required to gather momentum. This action has translated in the signing of contracts for the completion of the formal designs for the future foundations of the submarine in its exhibition position to the West of the Cole Point parking area (as indicated in the drawing). Soil sampling of the area will take place in the last week of August keeping in mind that this is reclaimed land.
- Much interaction has taken place with the SAN. Representatives of the Naval Base are now attending all project meetings. The 1st meeting of the Submarine Museum Management Board has taken place. A site visit has taken place with the Naval Base Facilities Officer who has undertaken to carry out the site preparations identified by us. The SAN has agreed to provide the land and current buildings to the project. The buildings will have to be renovated but can be used as office space, lecture and display rooms, a souvenir shop, public heads facilities and storage space. Certain sections of the Lamda walls will have to be moved by the SAN to allow for the submarine transfer (challenging as the wall units are crumbling). The General Manager of Armscor Dockyard has agreed to renovate the submarine cradle to be able to move the boat from its present position to the Western edge of the Synchro Lift.
- The plan is to prepare the boat for a move and erect the foundations as a matter of priority. Once in position, the external renovation will be tackled. Quotes indicate that the preparations and move will require funding in the region of RM1,8. This will have to be found from sponsors. A prospective sponsor toured the boat and site on 26 August to determine how they might be able to assist us. A sponsorship proposal is available and, if any member might have ideas or contacts, it would be appreciated if you contact us via E Mail. Our E Mail address is assegaai@navalheritagetrust.co.za
Naval Heritage Trust Board
Chairman: Mike Bosazza
Vice Chairman: Capt Glen Knox
Secretary: Capt Trunell Morom
Treasurer: Mrs Glynnis Hellemann
Trustee: RAdm (JG) Arne Soderlund
Member: Capt Chris Dooner
Trustee: Cdr Eddie Wesselo
Trustee: Cdr Mac Bisset
Member: WO1 David Harrison
Trustee: WO1 Andre Wessels
Web Master
Nicholas Dunn
Volunteer staff
WO1 Les Gale
WO1 Harry Croome
Next newsletter – December 2022