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Message from the Chairman: Mike Bosazza
With summer just around the corner, it is great weather for a trip to Simon’s Town to visit the submarine SAS Assegaai, the Museum, the Navy Museum and our offices. There is plenty to see and enjoy – for the young and the old.
The Trust is hard at work preserving our naval heritage as you can see from the following reports, and we also persevere in making that heritage available to our members and the general public.
In an age where paper – hard copies – seem to be frowned upon by the techno fundis, we need to preserve our memories some way and in this the NHT can do a lot. The more stories, accounts and general memorabilia we can gather, the richer our heritage becomes. So please don’t throw away photos, documents, records etc that may seem to be unimportant. They tell a lot to the researcher, and we can try to find the best place for such things to be stored.
It is all a question of recognising and honouring the past, recording as accurately as we can and making our history available for future generations.
Come and talk to us.
Mike Bosazza
Naval Digests (ND) and Books in the pipeline
Naval Heritage has continued to meet the requirement of producing two Naval Digests and one book per year. The Board would like to increase this to three Naval Digests however the printing cost would place too much of a strain on the yearly budget.
The two Naval Digests for 2026 have been completed and delivered to most paid up members. A number have been returned as they were not collected from the Paxi store. The returned Naval Digests will be resent with the 2027 Digest issue.
The two 2027 Naval Digests are complete and will be published in May 27 and distributed in June 2027
Naval Digest 44
Naval Digest. Voyage to the Ice – SAS Outeniqua by Marga Ley.
This ND has been completed and approval has been obtained by the original author to have it published.
The story line of this Digest is of a civilian reporter reporting back daily on the ships passage and events on board. It makes very interesting reading for those who have never been down to Antarctica. The ships company at the time will also enjoy reading about themselves.
Naval Digest 45.
Sea / Naval Cadets in South Africa by Capt Waldie Bartie (SCC)
This Naval Digest has been completed is now ready for publication.
Capt Bartie has gone to great lengths in the research for this Naval Digest and has been able to collect data on all the Sea Cadet bases in operation until 2005. Cadet bases will be particularly interested in how their bases came into being and the personalities involved.
This is the first of two Naval Digests on the Sea Cadets. The next one is by Capt Rupert Toms on the history of the Sea Cadets primarily in the Cape and TS Woltemade in particular. This Digest is only likely to be published in 2028.
Hopefully this Naval Digest will spur on interest from the Cadets in getting the next volume of Sea Cadet history from 2005 onwards.
Book for November 2026: MOES TROEP by Brad Wills
The next book to be published will be a controversial book on the SA Naval Marines of Bravo Company called MOES TROEP written by Brad Wills, who served as a Marine in the Company.
After a good and lengthy debate on the topic and the books content Naval Heritage has decided to go ahead and publish the book in October 27 and for have it for sale in November.
The story line is of a young Marine, the author, as he takes us through his early training days at Saldanha and the Marine School and then Army training in preparation for deployment to the Border. The book is hard hitting and does not pull any punches as the language used by the Marines and instructors and NCOs has been retained. The style of the book will raise a few eyebrows amongst the staunch naval members but the book has been written from the point of view of a junior Marine.
The aim and main reason for publishing this book is that most of the “Blue Navy” had no idea how the young Marines were being treated and trained during their service. The Marines time on the Boarder is also an eye opener and a shocker as to the conditions they lived and operated under, all was very different to the sailors at sea. Even when back in SA these Marines caught the short end of the straw regarding deployments and often lack of leadership from their seniors.
Throughout the story the camaraderie and loyalty within the Marines to one another shines through and one can understand that why even still today many SA Naval Marine groups have formed throughout SA, Australia and UK in a close bond which has stood the test of difficult times.
Other books and NDs in the pipeline.
The SA Naval Divers coffee table book Vol II by Daniel Gerricke is still available at R700. All other books and Naval Digests published by the Trust are on the website and are still available for sale from the Heritage Office either as a collect or postage with PAXI(R60)
The books and Naval Digest below are in no particular publishing order:
- The Naval Career of Cdre Sam Davis is being put together by Arne Soderlund for a Naval Digest to be published in 2028/9. Historic items and documents on the Cdre`s life and career have been kindly handed over by his daughter who is very happy to see her father career in print. Some of the supplied documents are very humous, for anyone who knew him well or served in his ships will attest too and others are more shocking and display the crass way he was told his services were completed. Anyone having additional stories or photos on the career of Sam Davis during his various appointments should kindly forward them to glenknox090@gmail.com
- History of SAS Protea by Cdr Leon Steyn This Naval Digest is due for completion be November 2026 and then a later publishing date will be decided.
- Hydrography in the SA Navy by Capt (Ret) Theo Stokes assisted by Capt (Ret) Abri Kamfer and Capt Nicholette le Roux. No feedback on the Naval Digest as yet.
- SAS Tafelberg – Ops Gypsy with diary input from CPO Rushby and Capt Bob Harrison
- Voyage of the Dias by Capt Andrew Blake, a crew member of the Dias at the time. AB Justin Fox (now a notable author of many maritime books) will be adding in a chapter on his own perceptions of this voyage
- The history of SAS Simonsberg by V Adm Loedolff, R Adm Cole and Cdr Leon Steyn. This ND is still in the development stage but will be covering all the changes and growth of the schools within the Unit. No feedback on the publications progress.
- Operation Savannah by R Adm (JG) Arne Soderlund and MWO Dave Harrison. With details from the SAS President Steyn, OC, Capt Sam Davis Report of Proceedings
Sea / Naval Cadets in Cape Town by Capt Ruper Toms. Still very much in draft form and in need of a lot of work before being ready for publication. - Through the Periscope by MWO Dave Harrison will be updated and reprinted.
- Warships visiting SA by Capt Bill Rice. This book will cover all the naval warships that have operated around the SA Coast.
- My Life, the naval career of R Adm Nic Smit. This book is still to be edited and formatted by Arne Soderlund before being published.
- The family of Capt G.F. Gower have compiled a magnificent album of his life and times including letters written during WWII. Heritage will be reformatting this for a ND.
- Oral History stories of past serving naval members. A short list is being discussed as to which stories can be safely used. Permission from the surviving families will then be obtained before progressing with the stories. Heritage has already passed a few of the older ones across to NOASA for publishing in their monthly newsletter
SAS Drakensberg – Ops Pullen by RAdm (JG) Arne Soderlund, Capt Chris Dooner. Adding to this ND will be Operation White Dove with SAS Outeniqua on the peace mission with President Mandela – by Capt Glen Knox with assistance from those serving on board at the time. Progress has slowed.
Top Sportsmen and Women of the SAN 1922 – 2026 by Capt Glen Knox and MWO Dave Harrison. Unfortunately, research has slowed with other projects.
New Books available through Naval Heritage
Beside the books listed below kindly check out the Naval Heritage webpage for the full list of Naval Digests and books available for purchase.
Foreign Submarine Visits to South Africa and Associated Exercises 1933 – 2023. By MWO Dave Harrison
This very interesting 198-page book on visiting submarines is available to those interested in submarine exercises and visits.
The book contains fascinating stories on the visiting submarines. Almost every page has a photo to add to the storyline.
The book costs R180 for NH Society members and R200 retail, plus R60 for PAXI post if required.
A book on South African Submariners Serving on Foreign Submarines by MWO Dave Harrison, has been published and is available from the Trust at a cost R220 to members and R250 retail. Plus R60 for PAXI post if required.
This is a 281-page book with many fascinating stories of South Africans serving around the world on various submarines. The book also has many photographs of both the members and the submarines they served on.
HERITAGE SYMPOSIUM
The Heritage Symposium at the Cape Town Castle that was attended in late October 25 is being held again in October 26. The Armed Forces Heritage Association (AFHA) was established in November 25. Meetings have been held to pave the way forward for safeguarding SA Military Heritage in the Western Cape through the coordinated conservation, restoring, memorialisation, preservation and digitisation of military heritage artefacts and sites.
The Organisations in the AFHA are SA Legion, Naval Heritage Trust, The Dukes Association, Cape Town Highlanders. The MOTHS, Gunners Association and Western Cape Military History Society
Naval Heritage will continue to be involved with Publications, Oral Histories and Naval Heritage Artifacts.
The AFHA will be providing combined feedback at the next session.
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. Visits to the office outside these times can also be arranged with any of the Trustees.
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 2025/26
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 2027/28.
Besides the ND`s and book projects the Trust is also involved in Oral History recordings, and assistance to the Naval Museum and the Submarine Museum project. These projects cost, and funds need to be carefully allocated by the Board 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 for additional books purchased will be on an individual basis through the Paxi system. (R60)
All members should let the Trust know if there are any changes re:
- 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 number
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 DATABASE
The installed 6 TB HDD Server Database in the heritage office is proving well worth the cost as it has been populated with electronic copies of all the Oral Histories, OH Summaries, Newsletters, Membership data, published Naval Digests and books, financial records, historic photographs, the large book collection (SA books, RN publications, and general books and then collectors and rare books that the NHT has purchased.
It is in operation each day that the office is manned
This central database is a great step forward for Naval Heritage.
NHT Library of Collected Books
The Trust has built up a considerable collection of nautical books on the SAN and other navies.
The full stock of books is updated and maintained on the NHT Server. There are now over 700 books in the collection. All duplicate books are either passed along to the Naval Museum or Sea Cadets and also being offered for sale at the office. These sales will bring in additional funding for the Trust
If any member is clearing out nautical books, Ships Line Books, historic photos and photo albums or paintings, please remember the Trust we are always happy to receive these either for our collection or passing along to the Naval Museum and Sea Cadets. We are able to collect any donated items in the Cape Town area.
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 387 completed Oral Histories in the Heritage collection.
One-on-One recordings have unfortunately slowed over the past few months as the other Heritage work has consumed available times. This is still a considerable backlog of recordings still to be undertaken.
Within the last month Oral History recordings from WO Buddy Bacon and WO Tanky van Jaarsveld have been completed and are in for typing.
Mini Oral Histories with the info being obtained from family members, old Navy News articles and other documents are always being sourced and make up a valuable additional source of heritage life stories.
The oral histories outstanding include Capt Peter De Beer Strydom due for completion in Nov 26, Capt Chris Dooner, Capt Richard Loydell and Capt Glen Knox
Naval Heritage has been very fortunate to receive 4 Mini Oral Naval Histories from Alex Rice. Alex collects medals and then researches the history and background of the medals. He is now passing copies this collection along to the Trust. He is sincerely thanks for this endeavour. We are told there will be more arriving over the next few months
The recording trips to Pretoria, Cape South Coast and Durban have been put on hold for a few months.
Interested members wishing to have their Oral Histories recorded should contact Glen Knox on his email glenknox090@gmail.com or through WhatsApp on 084 686 1384 to set a date.
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.
There are 232 members of the Naval Heritage Society on our books. Most are paid with just a few in arrears
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.
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 or cell number, kindly update any new contact details 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. The webpage has been accessed by 30218 interested readers. Sections to be found on the webpage include, Published Naval Digests and Books, background to the Trust and Trustees, History of the SAN, Navy 100, Vintage Naval videos and ASSEGAAI Submarine Museum
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
Additional books and Naval Digest can also be ordered through the webpage.
Type in SA Naval Heritage Trust will also link you to the page.
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 ASSEGAAI Submarine Museum Park or through the Naval Heritage web page or contacting Glen directly. Remember paid up members get a big discount on all purchases bought at the office or online. Postal deliveries are worked through Pep Store Paxi at R60. Payments for the books can be EFT, cash or card.
Other stockists include
- Enkosi Africa gift and souvenir shop, 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 7563 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, books purchases and donations.
Naval Heritage Trust
Standard Bank code 051001 Account number 072 102 276
SUBMARINE MUSEUM UPDATE: December 2026
The Assegaai Museum has continued its upward growth and earlier this month recorded the 46 000th visitor. More importantly, Google reviews have confirmed our success with a continued
4.9 rating. What is of interest is that ‘Wanderlog’ with 258 reviews rates us as ‘Exceptional’ rather than the normal ‘Excellent’.
Much improvement has been made on the site with the public entrance gate repaired and re-enforced and the section in front of the boat tarred. The old vehicle ramp now has an old restored cannon mounted on it with stanchions and ropework rounding it off and beautifying the entrance for visitors.
Much of the motivation for this work and major improvements to the garden was the Submarine Squadron’s annual service of remembrance for the three submariners lost during an exercise three years ago and held on Sunday 20 September and attended by Chief of the Navy. It was a very memorable event and followed by a reunion of submariners at the museum which was closed to the public for the day.
One important change is the closing of the museum on Mondays for maintenance during the off-season other than on school or public holidays.
Our displays are also growing with a Mk 44 anti-submarine torpedo and a DBT 264 (on loan) joining the lone L3 torpedo. We are still waiting for the Navy to locate and transfer examples of the elusive E14 and E15 torpedoes carried by the Daphnes.
Planning has begun for the external restoration of Assegaai and we are also keeping an eye on her new stable-mate the well-known racing yacht Voortrekker which is slowly being restored as a naval museum display on our site.
One of our best secrets of success, and the very high ratings, is undoubtedly our volunteer guides without whom we could not function. Few are submariners but all are enthusiastic and are credible and most are pensioners, giving rise to the museum being seen by some as a ‘Daddies day-care centre’ with soup, tea, coffee, rusks and biscuits available. So, if you know of anyone retired and bored and who loves meeting interesting people from all over the world, we would love to keep them busy for at least one day a week the day. You can call the museum on (021) 787 4786 to volunteer or book a visit.
Naval Heritage Trust Board
- Chairman: Mike Bosazza
- Vice Chairman: Capt Glen Knox (Ret)
- Secretary: Capt Trunell Morom (Ret)
- Treasurer: Mrs Glynnis Hellemann
- Trustee: RAdm (JG) Arne Soderlund (Ret)
- Member: Capt Chris Dooner (Ret)
- Trustee: Cdr Eddie Wesselo (Ret)
- Trustee: Cdr Mac Bisset (Ret)
- Trustee: Cdr L Steyn
- Trustee: WO1 Andre Wessels (Ret)
- Member: WO1 David Harrison (Ret)
- Web Master: Nicholas Dunn
- Volunteer staff: WO1 Harry Croome
Next newsletter – December 2026
Let us know how you feel about the newsletter.
Those that provided feedback on the last newsletter many thanks.
Glen Knox