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Message from the Chairman: Mike Bosazza
On the 30 April we hosted the opening event of the SAS Assegaai Submarine Museum. The ribbon was cut by both Chief of the Navy and the Mayor of Cape Town on a beautiful day despite the devastating fire that almost cut the southern Peninsula off from the north. The Museum was looking grand and the informal tours of the submarine were excellent.
It is clear that the submarine is going to be a big attraction for Simon’s Town and the Navy holds its head up high in this regard.
Then we had our AGM. It was another successful event and more of our Naval Heritage Society members were able to go over Assegaai. If you haven’t done the tour yet, I heartily recommend you do so soon.
Winter is upon us and I hope you will stay healthy and warm. There is much to read in this newsletter, and you can see how diligent your executive team is. I salute them.
Mike Bosazza
Naval Digests (ND) and Books in the pipeline
Naval Heritage publishes a minimum of two Naval Digests each year and one book. There are number of Naval Digests being worked on by the Trustees and other writers and they 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 1972 by Cdr John Imrie.
This Naval Digest has been completed and is ready for printing. The original book was written by Cdr John Imrie for 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. This ND covers the early arrival of musicians on sailing ships and tells the stories of how many private and Military Bands developed and grew throughout South Africa over the years.
This ND will be published in July 2025
Naval Digest 41. The SA Navy Band
Andrew Imrie (grandson of John Imrie) has put together an excellent Naval Digest on the SA Navy Band. The ND covers the history of the Band and its development through the various Music Directors and Bandmasters. Also covered in the ND is the band at SAS Jalsena and the Pipe Band at SAS Rand.
This Naval Digest is at the printers and will be published and posted in July 2025.
There will also be a QR link to the webpage for Navy Band music.
Naval Digest 42. Tim Johnson
This Digest is in the proof-reading stage at present and will be published in June 2026. This Digest is made up of Tim`s Oral History recorded by Glen Knox a few years ago and also includes articles by other Naval officers and friends. Many of his paintings have also been included with kind permission of Joey Johnson.
Royal Naval Surveys in South African Waters 1793 – 1821 ND 43.
This ND has been written by Captain Mike Barritt, RN and was offered to NH as a addition to the Naval Digest collection by the captain. The book is complete and only needs to be reformatted into the A5 ND format for publication. The book contains interesting and wonderful stories of the early surveys along the SA Coast Line with amazing photos of the early charts produced. for marine operations along a very unknown coast. This ND will be published in June / July 2026.
Cover of the book in its unedited ND format.
A new book of South African submariners serving on Foreign submarines, not only in SA but also in RN and other nations’ boats, is nearing completion and is due for publication in the latter half of 2025.
The proposed cover of the new book on serving submariners.
Naval Digest. Voyage to the Ice – SAS Outeniqua by Marga Ley and navalized 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 2027.
Naval Digest. Top Sportsmen and Women of the SAN 1922 – 2025, By Capt Henriette Moller, Capt Glen Knox and SWO Dave Harrison. This ND is still being researched and is presently 140 pages and still growing. Many amazing old sports names, both PF and NSM have been unearthed with interesting sporting stories being recounted. The research team is trying to ensure no top sportsman or woman is omitted from the book. Do you remember any of the top sports personalities? A full list of sportsmen and women in the book will be published in the next newsletter. NHT was going to publish this ND in 2026 but has moved it to the right until 2027.
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. It is intended to publish the stories as they have been recorded through the Oral History project without changing the style or language. In this way the reader will fully understand the naval lives and times some of the older generation lived through. These stories will emphasise the importance of the Oral History Program.
New Books available through Naval Heritage
Foreign Submarine Visits to South Africa and Associated Exercises 1933 – 2023.
This very interesting 198-page book on visiting submarines is now published.
The book contains fascinating stories on the visiting vessels. Almost every page has a photo to add to the storyline.
The book costs R150 for NH Society members and R180 retail, plus R60 for PAXI post if required.
If you would like this book, order it now and it will be posted with the two Naval Digests in July. No additional postage will be required.
NHT 2025 AGM:
The NHT AGM which was held on Thursday 8 May 2025 was attended by 42 members. The Chairman kept the AGM short allowing members to enjoy a glass or two with snacks before visiting the ASSEGAAI submarine Museum.
NHT Office
The NHT office is operating from the ASSEGAAI Submarine Museum 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. You will then be able to view the Heritage collection of books, paintings and Oral Histories in the Office.
If you wish to confirm a visit, please message Glen on 0846861384 or Chris on 0845130617
The ASSEGAAI Submarine Museum is open daily from 0930 – 1500 for the public right alongside the NHT office.
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 as yet 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. The NHT also provides prizes to 4 Nautical Students at the Lawhill Maritime school. All these events cost, and funds need to be carefully allocated to ensure the Trust can meet its Heritage goals.
There are savings for those wanting the electronic copy of a Naval Digests. Published Books will still need to be hard copies.
Naval Heritage Society Subs are as follows. Please ensure the correct amount is transferred.
• 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
Kindly note the the yearly subs are either R180 or R280 for local members and R380 for overseas members. There are no subs at R150 or R200.
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 365 completed Oral Histories
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 Lydell, RAdm Steve du Toit.
Oral Histories completed since the last report include:
Miss Voilet Cook, Dennis Shaw, AB Joe Marsicano, Cdr Gideon Joubert, Cdr Brian Stiger. LS Tito and Lt Wood. These recordings have all been recovered from old cassette tapes and included some WWII careers.
WO1 Roy Marks continues putting his book together and Capt Gerrit Rademeyer is also working on his book of his naval career.
A trip to both the South Coast and Durban areas for a recording session remains on the cards and will be programmed in once 10 candidates have been confirmed for each area. The next recording trip to the Pretoria region will be in 2026.
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 member/s since May 2025 is:
- Dorman
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.
Membership for the Naval Heritage Society now stands at 236 paid up members. With 20 members arrears in payments.
Society members who do not respond to membership renewal emails and are non-paying for 6 months after renewal date are unfortunately removed from the Heritage data base and will not be receiving any further Naval Digests.
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.
With the arrival of ND 41, a QR code will be introduced in the book for an instant link to the music of the SA Naval Band.
The NHT web page has had 19132 Hits, Naval Digests and Books have received 1261 and 1384 visits respectively. Assegaai project 2949 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 at the Submarine Museum Park 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, Simon`s Town.
- Collectables Hub & Caf, Simon`s Town.
- STADCO on Jubilee square, Simon`s Town.
- The SA Naval Museum and
- ASSEGAAI Submarine Museum Gift counter
These venues only hold a selection of the inventory and sell the publications at the full retail price.
To check out the full range of Naval Heritage titles kindly consult the NH Webpage for titles and prices
SA Naval Heritage Society Facebook Site
The NHT fb site has now grown steadily to 7300 members. This site continues to be extremely popular with many positive interactions re historic memories of the SAN. The daily Shipwreck Heritage Report from SAHRA makes for additional 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
This account can be used for all payments of yearly subs and books
Naval Heritage Trust
Standard Bank code 051001 Account number 072 102 276
SUBMARINE MUSEUM UPDATE: April 2025
Reported by Arne Soderlund
On Wedesday 30 April the Assegaai Submarine Museum was finally formally opened by Chief of the Navy, accompanied by the Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis who unveiled the Donor Board at the entrance to the Museum. It was a grand occasion with the Navy Band present to entertain the large audience of donors, volunteers, guides and invited guests. After the formalities, a toast with sparkling wine was drunk to the future of the museum. As a finale, once the guests had departed the attending volunteers and guides drank a final toast.
On 16 May the production team from the Kyknet TV show Kwela visited Assegaai to film an insert for their programme and interviewed a number of volunteers. Appropriately, the interviewer was Andre Weideman, the son of RAdm Jaap Weideman who was the first commander of a Daphne submarine, SAS Maria van Riebeeck (later SAS Spear). We look forward to the airing of the programme. We have also recently participated in a promotional video for tourism in Simon’s Town.
Great strides have been made in the displays at the museum with a number of larger items including battery cells and an original French Alcatel Tracker console on show. We do, however, still await a display torpedo. We also hope to acquire other original Daphne items such as a plotting table from the naval museum. Display cases from the old SAS Hugo Biermann have also been added and have filled out the display room considerably as can be seen below.
The museum now also offers tours for disabled persons unable to walk trough the boat. A full virtual tour of 45 minutes filmed, edited and donated by Cape Photography and Videography CC can be shown in the wheelchair friendly briefing room for up to eight visitors. This virtual tour was successfully tested on 21 June and the feedback from the visitor was extremely positive.
As of 22 June, 13 700 paying visitors had visited the museum and although in the off-season we are experiencing a reduction in visitor numbers, weekends still prove popular. We are also now getting increasing interest from schools and other interest groups so expect numbers to start picking .Of interest were the visits by the Indian Navy Flag Officer Sea Training and their Defence Adviser which followed visits by the Indian Navy Submarine Operational Sea Training team as well as the Western Cape Minister of Education David Maynier, an ex-submariner.
Even with the reduced numbers, we are, however, struggling to meet the demand due to a shortage of guides and volunteers, mainly as a result of advancing age and medical reasons. Sadly, one of our earliest volunteers was tragically killed in a road accident on 4 June. Sebastian Fourie was only 34 and also a member of the NSRI. He was one of the hardworking team of four who transformed the rusted brown hull of Assegaai to the current glossy black and will be sadly missed.
It would appear that that we are destined to continue growing in the future with indications that other decommissioned naval vessels and boats may also be joining Assegaai one day, the first being the famous yacht Voortrekker which may soon arrive here. So watch this space and please contact the naval or the submarine museum if you have time on hand and would like to contribute to the aim of the Naval Heritage Trust of preserving our naval heritage in a very tangible way.
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 – October 2025
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