Books available from the Naval Museum - Simon's Town

Books can be ordered by telephone - 0217874635 or by email to leon.steyn@sanavy.co.za 
Postage on books ordered to SA addresses: Books R40.00 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.
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 R40.00
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
BOOKS
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.

South African Naval Events Day-by-Day - 2011
Although the South African Navy is relatively youthful as far as world navies are concerned having only been in existence for some 80 years, being on the Cape Sea Route has given South Africa a rich maritime/naval heritage.  Yet it is surprising how little of this heritage South Africans in general seem to be aware of.
In this book Chris Bennett has tried to emulate that achievement. Although not yet a page per day it is surprising how many events of naval importance exist in South Africa's recorded history, incidents that many ask about but only a few can answer with any detail.  This book provides much of that sought after information and detail.
Available at the SAN Museum Simon's Town at R120.00 or on order for R120 plus R20 postage and packaging (for a South African address - cost of postage overseas on request)

What, from the outside, appears to be just a very attractive coffee table book is actually an Aladdin's cave of references, facts, information and some anecdotes about one of the biggest developments in the then Cape Colony - a massive undertaking, even by today's standards. The history of the East Dockyard is intertwined with that of the town and whilst a number of books have been written on the town, we at last have the picture from behind the Dockyard wall, and a fascinating one it is. The residents of Simon's Town in those days were certainly a lot more fore-bearing than those of today, and especially so during the actual construction period when buildings reverberated to explosions, rocks periodically fell through their roofs and dust pervaded the whole town.  Obtainable from the Naval Museum at R250
South African Naval Events Day-by-Day - 2011
In this book Chris Bennett has tried to emulate that achievement.  Although not yet a page per day it is surprising how many events of naval importance exist in South Africa’s recorded history, incidents that many ask about but only a few can answer with any detail.  This book provides much of that sought after information and detail. 
Available at the SAN Museum Simon’s Town at R120.00 or on order for R120 plus R20 postage and packaging (for a South African address – cost of postage overseas on request)


NO REWARD FOR DUTY
A Biographical Note on the life and career of
Captain G.V. Legassick DSC RD RNR
By Captain Ian Manning SM MMM South African Navy [Ret]
Ian Manning's meticulously researched biography on this enigmatic man reveals for the first time the fullness of his life and the high aspirations he had for the General Botha, an institution he served with uncommon zeal and vision. It also reveals more about the sly, contemptible and vindictive manner in which the Nationalist Government summarily fired him for no good reason.   This is a book about the life of a seaman in a time that is now history