Books available from the Naval Museum - Simon's Town
Books can be ordered by telephone - 0217874635 or by email to cara.vanwyk@sanavy.co.za
Postage on books ordered to SA addresses: Books R30.00 Naval digests R5.00. Postage to other countries on request. Indicate also that they can also be ordered by snail mail.
The Trust also has a representative in the UK for the South Africa's Navy book.
No 1: HMSAS Natal. By Roger Williams Published: June 1999
HMSAS Natal from her first commission in 1945 and as the Hydrographic survey vessel SAS Natal until her final disposal plus an account of the firing of the controlled mines at Saldanha by SWAN Sue Labuschagne on 1 June 1944 and the story of HMSAS Southern Floe’s sole survivor. R40.00
No 2: Voortrekker By Roger Williams
Published: November 1999
The iconic South African racing yacht Voortrekker from the first concepts, building and some of those who famously skippered her in international races. R40.00
No 3: HMSAS Parktown By Roger Williams
Published: June 2000
The loss of HMSAS Parktown in the Mediterranean theatre of World War II plus the Mess Dinner on 1 April 1975 when the State President saved the SA Navy’s white uniforms. R40.00
No 4: The four Proteas By Roger Williams Published: November 2000
The name Protea has been given to four ships of the SA Navy. Three of them hydrographic survey vessels and one an anti-submarine vessel during World War II. Also the story of how two SAN Admirals were nearly shot down over Nabia in 1987. R40.00
No 5: South Africans in the Royal Navy By Roger Williams
Published June 2001
South Africans who served with the Royal Navy and the part played by the Cape Coloured Community in manning the SA Navy’s warships in World War II. SOLD OUT
No 6: SAS Pietermaritzburg By Roger Williams Published: June 2002
The saga of the ocean minesweeler/coastal escort SAS Pietermaritzburg. Plus some memories of Capt Jack Netterberg, CdrMac Bisset and the Naval Museum as well as a centenary of service by the Mooring Lighter in Simon’s Town. R40.00
No 7: Commodore R P Dryden Dymond
By V Adm Sir Alan Grose, KBE, RN Published: November 2002
A biography of Commodore RP Dryden Dymond SA Navy by his son-in-law Vice Admiral Sir Alan Grose KBE, RN. R40.00
South Africa’s Navy By R Adm Chris Bennett and R Adm(JG) Arné Söderlund
Published: 2008
The ultimate book of reference on the South African Navy Includes a maritime strategic look at South Africa, a short history of the SAN, details of the present
fleet including explanations of the names, plus details of the present uniforms worn in the SAN Hard cover, A4, 233 pages in full colour Price: R200.00, postage and packaging for a South African address R40.00
Detained in Simon's Bay By V M Golovnin
Translated by Lisa Millner Published: 2009
A translation of the section of a report to the Imperial Russian Navy covering the year May 1808 to May 1809 during which the Russian sloop Diana was detained by the British. Covers not only the naval aspects but also provides a fascinating insight into life in the Cape Colony in that era Soft cover, A5, 108 pages Price: R95.00, postage and packaging for a South African address is R5.00
Alabama By Edna and Frank Bradlow
Published: 2007
This is a second edition and updated version of the book published in 1958 making clear South Africa’s connection to this famous ship. Some additional items such as the re-interment of Lt Cummings undertaken in 1994. The book tells the story of the Confederate Raider Alabama from her first day at sea until her final battle with USS Kearsage off Cherbourg, France Hard cover, 162 pages in full colour Price: R120.00, postage and packaging for a South African address is R40.00
A name among seafaring men. By Wilhelm Grütter Published: 1973 Also available in Afrikaans
The story of South African Training Ship General Botha and the young men who trained in her and then went on to make the name well know in the international maritime world Hard cover, A4, 173 pages Price: R35.00, postage and packaging for a South African adress is R40.00
If you can hold up your hand hear me!
By D F Silberbauer Published: 1984
A compilation of most of the SA Navy’s best known amusing stories. Originally published by the Navy for internal use only it is now available to the public.
Hard cover, A5, 150 pages Price: R25.00, postage and packaging for a South African address is R20.00
No 8: A South African Diary of Naval Events By Chris Bennett
Published June 2003
In similar to the Royal Navy’s Day by Day. Gives a day by day history of naval events in the South African context. R40.00
No 9: Admiral H H Biermann, SSA SD OBE By Roger Williams
Published: October 2003
A biography of the man often known as the ‘Father of the modern SA Navy’ Chief of the Navy for 19 years during which he saved the SAN from the worst political predations of the Erasmus era. R40.00
No 10: Rear Admiral M R Terry-Lloyd, SSA SM By Chris Bennett
Published: September 2004
A biography of one of the most well known ‘characters’ of the SA Navy. The man who dragged the SAN kicking and screaming into the operational world. R40.00
No 11: South Africa’s Frigates and Destroyers 1944 - 1985
By Professor André Wessels, University of the Free State
Published: November 2005
A history of the frigates and destroyers that saw service in the SA Navy during the post World War II period up until 1985. R40.00
No 12: Names and Ships’ Badges of the Valour Class
By Chris Bennett and Arné Söderlund Published: March 2007
The origins of the names given to the four Valour Class frigates are explained as well as the reasons for the design and colours used in the ships’ badges. Price: R85.00
No 13: Cdre Dalgleish, Lt M Bartholomew and MS Base By Roger Williams and Lt Bartholomew Published: May 2008
1. A short biography of Cdre James Dalgleish.
2. Memours of Lt Mel Bartholomew in WW II.
3. Early history of Minesweeping Base
Price: R85.00
No 14 From Ministers to Warriors November 2009
In 1997 the planning for an International Fleet Review in honour of President Nelson Mandela raised a political problem. It would be embarrassing for the President to take the salute from ships named after people such as P W Botha and Magnus Malan. The initial proposal by the Defence Ministry was to make a clean sweep and rename all the ships in the SAN.
Luckily sanity prevailed and only the Strike Craft had their names changed at that time with the submarine names changing two years later. This is the story of that process. As explained in the final chapter the design of the ships' badges was retained, only the emblems on the Viking long boat sails changed to fit the new names given.
Price R85.00.
Cdr H. R. Gordon-Cumming's 'Long' Official History of the South African Naval Forces during the Second World War (1939 - 1945)
Soft cover A4 352 pages. Price R250.00 pl;us R30 postage and packaging for a South African address.
No 15 : History of Simon's Town Naval Dockyards from the original title deeds written by one of our members Mr Louis Vosloo. The book is in colour showing the original title deeds.
Price : R100.00
