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Message from the Chairman: Mike Bosazza
I am sure you noticed that there was no Newsletter in September and that was entirely due to the ill-health of our Vice Chairman, Capt Glen Knox. Without him we were struggling to keep up with our regular commitments. I am very pleased that his health has improved and that he is back at the helm.
We have also been very busy with the new developments at the submarine, SAS Assegaai. The work on her to have her ready to open to the public, has not stopped and the dedicated people who have worked so hard to ensure that she can be visited soon (hopefully from December) are a brilliant example if what teamwork can achieve.
Similarly, the team who manned the NHT table at the Navy Festival demonstrated how volunteers are the best resource when you want to achieve a simple goal.
Thank you to all of them – Glen, the Assegaai movers and shakers and our NHT committee who worked at the Navy Festival.
Soon it will be the end of 2024 and so I am taking this opportunity to wish you a happy and safe Festive Season. We are all looking forward to 2025.
Best wishes and regards
Mike Bosazza
Recently completed Naval Digests
Naval Digest 38. 50 YEARS – THE SA INDIAN CORPS TRAINING BATTALION by Cdr Leon Steyn.
This Naval Digest has been distributed to all members and made for very interesting reading as the publication coincided with the 50th reunion of SAS Jalsena. Each delegate at the glistening function was provided with a copy. Additional copies are available through NHT office at R70 + postage
Naval Digest 39. OPERATION CARAWAY – An OC`s Narrative. 16 Sep – 6 Dec 2008
This Naval Digest by Capt Chris Manig relates the daily events of SAS Spioenkop`s voyage to the Far East and back. The Digest gives a wonderful perspective of the running of a frigate at sea during operational and the relaxed times. For those who miss the feeling of a ship below your feet in all weather conditions you need to read this digest again and again.
Naval Digests 38 and 39 have both been sent out to all our paid-up members either as a hard copy or as an electronic copy. If any member has as yet not received their copies, they should let Andre Wessels know on his email nhtmembership@gmail.com
Naval Digests (ND) and Books in the pipeline
Naval Heritage continues attempting to have a minimum of two Naval Digest`s published each year and one book. There are number of Naval Digests being worked on by the Trustees and other writers and will be published as they are completed. The proposed digests below are an indication of what is being planned for the future.
Naval Digest 40. The Military Bands in SA from 1652 until 1973 by Cdr John Imrie.
This Naval Digest is all but completed except for the cover photos. The original book was written by Cdr John Imrie as his musical thesis in 1972 when he was the OC Naval Band. The reproduction of the book has been authorised by his Grandson Andrew Imrie. The ND covers the early arrival of musicians on sailing ships and tells the stories of how private and Military bands developed and grew throughout South Africa over the years. This ND will be published in June 2025.
Naval Digest 41. The SA Navy Band.
This ND has been in the research stage for some time and has had many setbacks. However, Andrew Imrie has offered to take the project on and have it completed by July 2025.
Naval Digest. Voyage to the Ice – SAS Outeniqua by Marga Ley and navalised by Arne Soderlund, this ND is almost complete.
However, Heritage is awaiting approval from the original author, as her notes were used to compile the Digest. Good quality photos of the voyage are still being sourced to match the content. This ND could be published in 2026.
Naval Digest. Top Sportsmen and Women of the SAN 1922 – 2023, By Capt Henriette Moller, Capt Knox and SWO Dave Harrison.
This ND is being researched and is presently 140 pages strong. Naval Heritage would very much like to hear from the NH members of any top sports person they can remember, this will greatly assist in the detailed research. The research team is attempting to get photos of the sportsperson and the correct text for each sports discipline.
Naval Digest. SAS Protea This much awaited Naval Digest has been delayed due to work commitments by the author. This has prevented it from being completed in the short term however it will not be forgotten.
Naval Digest. Operations Pullen and White Dove, Drakensberg and Outeniqua visits to the Congo – Arne Soderlund.
This Naval Digest is progressing slowly and could be published in 2025.
Naval Digest. Oral History stories. The Trustees are considering publishing a Naval Digest with a few of the older recorded Oral Histories. There are some amazing stories that have been related re naval lives at sea during and after WWII and even the early Type Frigate 12 days. The stories will be published as they have been told without changing the style of language and in this way the reader will fully understand the naval lives and times some of the older generation lived through.
New Books available through Naval Heritage
Journey of a Lifetime, by Nigel Peddie. This is a fascinating and extremely well written book on the life and times of a career naval officer in both the RN and SAN. The book is available through the Naval Heritage Office or postal delivery for an additional R60. The cost of the book is R300 for NHT Society members and R350 retail.
The SA Navy Diver- Semper in Excreta, By Daniel Gericke.
NHT has a limited number of these books and has only been asked to sell and distribute the book for the overseas author. Heritage had no input into its contents. Several pages and photos have been posted on the NHT fb page. The book is a glossy tabletop book and sells at R1000.00. The book can be obtained at the NHT office or via Paxi Post at an additional R60 for postage. There are unfortunately no Members discounts on this publication. There will be a second volume published at a later date.
A new book of South African submariners serving abroad on submarines not only in SA but also in RN and other nations boats is nearing completion and is due for publication in 2025.
A second submarine book will feature all the foreign submarine visits to South Africa and naval exercises held in our waters. This book will cover all submarines that have been known to have operated in operations or exercises around the SA Coast. This book is also due for publication in 2025.
SA Navy Festival
The NHT office was open, and a table was manned by the trustees and board members. 10 new members were signed up over the three days with books, caps and pens being sold to the visitors.
NHT Office
The NHT office is operating from the SA Naval Museum Submarine Park on the left side of Cole Point Parking area. Over the wall from the NSRI Station 10. The office is open for members to visit on Mondays and Thursdays between 0930 and 1200. If you are in the area, you are most welcome to pop in for a chat and even 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. If you would like to confirm a visit, please message Glen on 0846861384 or Chris on 0845130617
Once the Submarine is open for the public the NHT Office will probably be open every day between 0900 and 1500
NHT Subs 2024/25
Although the yearly subs for Naval Heritage were increased as of 1 January 2024, to cover the climbing printing and postal costs, there is no envisaged increase during 2025.
Besides the ND`s and book projects the Trust is also involved in Oral History recordings, assistance to the Naval Museum and the Submarine Museum project. All these events cost, and funds need to be carefully allocated to ensure the Trust can meet its Heritage goals. The Chairman has been fortunate in being able to acquire additional funding to assist in the production of the Oral Histories which can prove very expensive to have recorded and typed up.
There will however be a saving for those wanting the electronic copy of a Naval Digest. Published Books will still need to be hard copies.
New Subs will be as follows.
• Electronic copy only, subs R180 (no hard copy posted)
• Hard copy, subs R280. This will include the cost of the Paxi Post with Pep Stores. Hand delivered publications in the Cape Town area will also fall into this category as the Trustees will be required to travel around their allocated areas delivering the publications personally. Each Trustee will then be given a small travel allowance for this duty.
- Overseas delivery, subs R380 this will include the standard overseas postage with the Post Office (appears to be working better than local postal services)
- Corporate membership will also be R280.
Any other postage will be on an individual basis through the Paxi system.
All members should let the Trust know,
- Which option they are choosing Electronic (via email) or Hard Copy,
- Which Pep Store is their desired delivery point and their correct cell number. Paxi Post will have the packages delivered within 7 days of posting. Their system is well controlled, and packages are tracked constantly.
- Hand deliveries will need correct street address, not a P.O. Box
Hand delivered publications in the Cape Town area can only be delivered to actual addresses no longer P.O. Boxes.
Notification of Pep Store delivery point or actual home address as applicable and correct Cell phone numbers should be sent to Andre Wessels at nhtmembership@gmail.com
NHT Library of Collected Books
The Trust continues to build its library of Nautical Books and magazines.
Heritage is always on the lookout for Nautical themed books and in particular those with a South African maritime theme which can be added to the Heritage reference library. Any books donated to the Trust that are found to be duplicates will be donated to the local Sea Cadet units and Lawhill Maritime school library.
Oral History Program
Every day of your life is a page of your history.
The Heritage Trusts Oral History program has continued strongly. There are now 319 completed Oral Histories with 10 in the final processes of proofreading. There are an additional 30 old tapes that have been found during the office move which were never transcribed and printed. These have now been digitised and the typists are working through them.
One-on-One recordings continue with both Glen and Eddie attempting 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 continues.
The oral histories presently being proofread include Capt Peter De Beer Strydom, Capt Chris Dooner, Capt Richard Loydell, Capt Jock Deacon, Capt Peter Louwrens, Capt Sonica Schulenberg, RAdm Steve du Toit .
Completed Oral Histories during the last two quarters include Capt Rob Thomson, Cdr Basie Broekman Cdr Clyde Stirling, Capt Graham Davies, WO Mark Tomlinson, RAdm Theo Butler, RAdm Derek Christian, VAdm M. Hlongwane, RAdm Dunstan Smart, Ernest Sadler, Stanley Gray (WWII mini version), RAdm Eric Green, Johan Swiegers, Lt Paul Posser(WWII), Teviot – Ross(WWII) ,Hart-Davies (WWII), Dutoit (WWII)Lt Bartholemew (WWII), Dieter Gerhart (Nongqai) Vanner (WWII) WO1 Michael Dutton, CPO Ronnie Oschmann, WO1 Roger Hinkley, DS Franzen(mini). B Wrankmore, J Vergelio, A Boers, Lt Cdr McLoughlin, CPO Tomblin, Vowles, De Jager, Cdr Muir
WO1 Roy Marks is completing his book based on his initial recording. Lt Cdr van Blerk`s OH is being worked on by his son Johan van Blerk based on an initial recorded memory. It is hoped that both these books will become available in 2025.
A trip to the Durban area for a recording session is still on the cards, and will be programmed in once 10 candidates have been confirmed.
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 important Heritage project, please get in contact with Glen Knox on his email 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 October 2024 are:
SC Botha F van den Berg N Morris A De Beer
R McRae- Samuel D Lamprecht P Williams C Murray
M Streicher D Olivier N Morris A Baumann
RA Head JF Roedolff
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 on the Heritage web page.
Paid up membership for the Naval Heritage Society now stands at 250. With 20 members arrears in payments.
Society members who do not respond to renewal emails and are non-paying for 6 months after renewal date are unfortunately removed from the Heritage data base.
If you are moving home or changing your email addresses, kindly update any new addresses with Andre Wessels. Confirmation of your Email, postal address and cell numbers may be sent to the membership secretary at nhtmembership@gmail.com
Naval Heritage Website
The Naval Heritage web page 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.
The NHT web page has had 16317 Hits, Naval Digests and Books have received 1124 and 1218 visits respectively. Assegaai project 2258 visits.
Have you visited the Naval Heritage webpage yet?
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 bought at the office or online. Payments can either be cash or card.
Other stockists include Enkosi Africa gift and souvenir shop in Simon`s Town and the SA Naval Museum. Both these venues only hold a selection of the inventory and sell the publications at the full retail price.
Special deals on Naval Digests
The Trust has made the full set of the Naval Digests number 1 to 39 available to members at just R1950. Normal retail price R3510 to non-members for this set. Postage of R150 with POSTNET and R110 with PAXI will need to be added in unless collected in person from the NHT office Simon’s Town or in Muizenberg.
Naval Digest numbers 1-39 at R1950 a set
To obtain this Heritage book bargain contact Glen Knox
Individual Naval Digests sell for R70 to members and R90 retail.
SA Naval Heritage Society Facebook Site
This site continues to be extremely popular with 7122 members having joined the fb 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 and also encourage your friends with naval interests to join this active fb site
Naval Heritage Trust Banking details
Naval Heritage Trust Standard Bank code 051001
Account number 072 102 276
SUBMARINE MUSEUM FEEDBACK: OCTOBER 2024
The most critical milestone for the Assegaai Submarine Museum was achieved on 20 July 2024 when SAS Assegaai was finally bedded down on her two plinths at the museum site. Over the past three months considerable progress has been made to prepare her for visitors with a planned trial opening in mid-December as a work-up for the formal opening of the museum early next year once all facilities, systems and exhibits are in place. By then our donor board will be erected and our donors invited to this function.
The entire hull has now been water blasted, cleaned and painting is now under way with a black coat replacing he previous mottled rusty appearance. This is for appearance purposes until the full restoration commences with corroded plates being cut out and replaced. At the same time the entry and exit portals have been fitted on the starboard side and the doorways cut through the pressure hull, providing ease of access so that interior work such as lighting can commence. The doors, stairs and railings are currently being fitted.
The new electrical distribution box is ready for fitting below the boat for ‘shore supply’ and the power cable linking it to the main box in the museum building will hopefully be delivered in a few days. Once all is connected, work and instruction inside the boat can start. Whilst the interior condition is still very good, work is required to restore the areas of the two new doors as well as general, cleaning.
Considerable refurbishment of the shore facilities has resulted in a new set of Heads including a facility for the disabled as well as wheelchair ramps to both buildings. The prefab building which will form the display area has been repaired and repainted. Most of the display cases and exhibits are on site and once the new floor covering in the main display area has been fitted the displays can be laid out.
Considerable effort was made to level and beautify the entrance area to the museum before the Navy Festival in early October and the Simon’s Town Art Group offered to paint a mural on a drab Lamda wall to brighten up the area and this is currently in progress and already makes a difference. In addition, we are awaiting final landscaping and the addition of some natural greenery such as trees.
A steel mounting base for the hull ring section cut from the French Daphne, Galatée has been cut and painted and the section will be placed on it to house the donor board, ensuring it is visible to all visitors.
During the Navy Festival we opened the gates so visitors could see Assegaai from up close with guides explaining her history and details and generally promoting the museum This excellent public introduction resulted in a number of donations with numerous promises to visit as soon as we open.
Although we are almost there and are hoping to fund the actual restoration from self-generated funds once open, donations will help speed up the process. Volunteers to assist us meet our timeline will be appreciated. Any enquiries can be addressed to angel45@iafrica.com
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
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 Harry Croome
Next newsletter – January 2025
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Those that provided feedback on the last newsletter many thanks.