List of decommissioned ships of the South African Navy

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The following is a list of decommissioned ships of the South African Navy.


Pennant numbers[edit]

South African Navy used the below pennant number prefix designations:[1]

  • A — auxiliaries
  • C — cruisers
  • D — destroyers
  • F — frigates
  • H — shore signal stations (military); survey vessels
  • K — miscellaneous vessels
  • L — amphibious warfare ships
  • M — minesweepers
  • N — minelayers
  • P — patrol boats
  • R — aircraft carriers
  • S — submarines
  • T — trawler (converted: WWII)
  • Y — yard vessels

1944 change to pennant numbers[edit]

South African Navy vessels pennant numbers T01-T62 used numbers that were duplicated with the Royal Navy. In 1944 South African Navy vessel pennant numbers were changed to eliminate this duplication. 500 was added to pennant numbers T01-21, 440 was added to pennant numbers T22-39 and 400 was added to numbers T40-61. Thus as an example, T40 became T440 and T05 became T505. In the below tables, pennant numbers in parentheses indicate the revised number applicable after 1944.[2]

Battle Honours[edit]

The Battle Honours listed in the below tables makes use of an abbreviated form. The full description for each category is below:[3]

  • South Africa Waters 1939-1945: For operations within a radius of 1000 nautical miles of the South African coast, including South West Africa
  • Indian Ocean 1939-1945: For operations in the Indian Ocean, excluding an area within a radius of 1000 nautical miles of the South African coast.
  • Atlantic 1939-1945: For operations in the north Atlantic from the Equator to the Arctic Circle
  • North Sea 1939-1945: For operations in the North Sea and all waters to the eastward between Southend and the Shetland Islands.
  • English Channel 1939-1945: For operations in the English Channel and all waters of the south coast between Southend and Bristol, the western limit being a line drawn from Ushant to the Scilly Islands and thence to the north coast of Cornwall.
  • Libya 1940-1942: For operations in-shore between Port Said and Benghazi
  • Mediterranean 1940-1945: For operations in the whole of the Mediterranean, the western limit being a line joining Cape Spartel and Cape Trafalgar.
  • Sicily 1943: For operations in support of the Allied invasion of Sicily.
  • Aegean 1943-1944: For operations in all waters of the Aegean Archipelago between 35 and 42 degrees north and 22-32 degrees east.
  • Italy 1943-1945: For operations in support of the Italian campaign.
  • South France 1944: For operations in support of the invasion of the South of France.
  • Pacific 1942-1945: For operations in the Pacific Ocean.

Pre-Union of South Africa[edit]

These vessels were operated by the four independent states before the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910.

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
Paddle-tug Forerunner[4] July 1893 1905 Wrecked, Durban in May 1905[4] Forerunner was a shallow draft steam-powered paddle-tug used to tow vessels over the sandbar at the entrance to Durban bay. It was decommissioned by the Natal Government in 1885 and transferred to the Natal Naval Volunteers as a store- and headquarters ship in July 1893.[4]

Mine laying and anti-mine vessels[edit]

Mine layers[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Battle Honours Fate Notes
Controlled Minelayer SAS Skilpad German trawler Polaris
HMS Spindrift (1940)[5]
HMSAS Spindrift (1943)
HMSAS Skilpad (1951) 		5 July 1943 S Afr Waters: 1944-45[6] Sank at her berth at Salisbury Island on 22 July 1953 during a NE gale. Although considerable efforts were made to raise her, the ship never went back to sea again and was eventually sold for scrap in May 1957.[7] Originally German trawler Polaris, captured by HMS Arrow off Norway on 26 April 1940. Displacement 926 tons. Length 160' with Compound Uniflow Lentz valve motors.[8] Broken up in Durban in 1957.[9]

Minesweeping whalers[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Battle Honours Fate Notes
Hektor class HMSAS Soetvlei MV Hektor 3 (1929)[10]
MV Uni XII (1946)[11] 		T22 (T462) 1940 1946 S Afr Waters: 1940-45[6] 1946 Sold to Union Whaling Co. Ltd (Abraham E. Larsen), Durban, South Africa and renamed UNI XII. Wrecked on 13/08/1954 on a rock at Umdoni Point, Natal, South Africa. One man lost.[11] Built as whale catcher by A/S Jarlsø Verft, Tønsberg for A/S Hektor (Nils Bugge), Tønsberg in 1929 and was sold to Hektoria Ltd (Nils Bugge, Tønsberg), Cape Town, South Africa in 1932. Requisitioned by the South African Navy in 1940 and equipped for mine sweeper service, renamed HMSAS Soetvlei. Vessel was sold to Union Government of South Africa in 1945.[11]
Hektor class HMSAS Brakvlei MV Hektor 4[12] T23 (T463) July 1940[13] June 1946[13] S Afr Waters: 1940-45[14] Transferred to Africa Palestine Fish Industries Ltd., Cape Town as MV Drom Africa II in June 1946[13] Sold for scrap in 1982 after many prior owners.[13]
Hektor class HMSAS Hektor MV Hektor 5[15] T24 (T464) July 1940[15] June 1946[15] S Afr Waters: 1940-45[14] Transferred to The Union Whaling Co.Ltd., Durban in 1946 as MV UNI XIV.[15] Broken up in 1959[15]
HMSAS Swartberg MV Zwartberg[16]
HMS Swartberg[17] 		T09 (T509) S Afr Waters: 1939-45[6] Wrecked in 1955[16] 220 ton whale catcher, launched in 1923[16]
HMSAS Oostewal T08 1939[2] 1944[2] S Afr Waters: 1939-44[6] Wrecked some time after 1944 and scrapped in 1954[18] 179 ton, launched in 1926[18]
HMSAS Stellenberg MV Southern Cloud[19] T37 (T477) 1941[20] 1950[20] S Afr Waters: 1941-45[6] Purchased by Union of South Africa government after the war. Remained in service until 1950 when sold to Zonkergat Whaling Co. Ltd., Cape Town.[20] Probably broken up in 1963, as no records exist after this date.[20]
HMSAS Kommetje MV Kommetje T35 (T475) 1 December 1940 2 September 1944 S Afr Waters: 1941-44[6] Sold to Union Whaling Co. Durban 22 March 1946 and renamed Uni 8. Sold to McWilliam Iron and Steel Foundry, Durban for scrapping in 1961.[21] Requisitioned from Kerguelen "Tafelberg" Fleet. Built by Nylands Verksted, Oslo, Norway 1930. Operated in Antarctic after war services as part of Union Whaling fleet.[21]
HMSAS Florida MV Gun 9 (1930)[22]
MV Uni IX (1946)[22] 		T34 (T474) 1940 1946 S Afr Waters: 1941-45[14] Sold to Union Whaling Co. Ltd (Abraham E. Larsen), Durban, South Africa in 1946 and renamed UNI 9. Operated as whaling vessel from Durban Bluff until mid 1950's. Scuttled on 10 May 1975 by South African Navy, SE of Durban.[22] Built in 1930 as whale catcher Gun 9 by Kaldnes mek. Verksted, Tønsberg for Hvalfanger A/S Africa (Bjarne Gundersen), Sandefjord. In 1933, vessel was sold to Irvin & Johnson (South Africa) Ltd, Cape Town and again sold in 1935 to Kerguelen Sealing & Whaling Co. Ltd (Irvin & Johnson (South Africa) Ltd, Cape Town. In 1940 vessel was requisitioned by the South African Navy and equipped for mine sweeper service, renames HMSAS Florida. After the war, vessel was sold to Union Government of South Africa in 1945.[22]
HMSAS Imhoff MV Imhoff[23] T53 (T453) 1948[23] Libya 1942[6]
Mediterranean 1943-45[24] 		Purchased by Union Government of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa after the war (1945). Sold to Union Whaling Co. Ltd (A. E. Larsen) Durban, South Africa in 1948 and renamed MV Egeland. Broken up in 1959.[23] Converted to LL minesweeper in Hafia. Went into service in Mediterranean April 1942. Returned to Durban October 1945. 280 t whaler[25]
HMSAS Grimwood MV Morote (1923)
MV S.H. Grimwood (1931) 		T04 (T504) 1940 1947 S Afr Waters: 1940-44[14] Sold to Premier Whaling Co. Ltd (Abraham E. Larsen), Durban, South Africa in 1947. Fate unknown, was no longer registered in Lloyd's register in 1955.[26] Built as whale catcher MV Morote by A/S Jarlsø Verft, Tønsberg for Campaña Ballenera Española, Algeciras, Spain. Launched in December 1923. Sold to Union Whaling Co. Ltd (Abraham E. Larsen), Port Natal, South Africa in 1931 and Renamed MV S. H. Grimwood. Requisitioned by the South African Navy in 1940 and equipped for mine sweeper service. Renamed HMSAS Grimwood and in 1945 she was sold to Union Government of South Africa.[26]
HMSAS Natalia T02 (T502) S Afr Waters: 1940-44[6]
Indian Ocean: 1945[6] 		Returned to owner after war. Fate unknown. Built in 1925 and converted as minesweeper in 1940. She formed part of a minesweeper flotilla (with HMSAS Bluff, HMSAS Babiana, HMSAS Africana, HMSAS Natalia, HMSAS Aristea and HMSAS Crassula under command of Lt.Cdr. F.J. Dean) to clear German mines off Cape Agulhas on 13–15 May 1940, making them the first South African Navy vessels to participate in operations in WW2.[27] She played an important role in 1942 when attempts were made to rescue the crew and passengers of the Dunedan Star which ran aground on the "Skeleton Coast" on the coast of South West Africa (now Namibia). In May 1948, the ship was converted into a trawler in Port Elizabeth harbour.[28]
HMSAS Larsen T05 S Afr Waters: 1940-44[6]
HMSAS Robinson T06 S Afr Waters: 1940-44[6]
HMSAS Goulding T03 S Afr Waters: 1940-45[14]
HMSAS Whytock MV Charles Whytock T07 (T507) 27 June 1940 9 September 1944 S Afr Waters: 1940-44[6] First sold to Wheelocks, Shanghai 28 June 1946. Sale was cancelled after collapse of company was re-sold to Knysna Cold Storage & Fisheries Corp in 1948. Registered as MV Knysna. Built by Nylands MV, Oslo, Norway in 1924. Requisitioned from Premier Whaling Co. Durban, South Africa. Scuttled off Port Elizabeth on 31 March 1952.[29]
HMSAS Langlaagte MV Southern Sun (1922)
MV Albert Hulett (1936) 		T41 (T441) February 1941 21 January 1946 S Afr Waters: 1940-42[6]
Libya 1942[6]
Mediterranean 1942-45[24] 		Sold to LHC Corp on 25 June 1946 Built by Smith's Dock & Co Ltd, Middlesbrough. Requisitioned from Union Whaling Co. Durban, South Africa on 8 September 1940.[30] Was found unsuitable as ordinary minesweeper and was converted to L.L. minesweeper in Cape Town. Sailed from Durban 9 April and went into service in Mediterranean end May 1942. Returned to Durban December 1945.[25]
HMSAS Parktown (T39) MV Southern Sky (1929)
MV Sidney Smith (1936) 		T39 February 1941 21 June 1942 S Afr Waters: 1940-44[6]
Libya 1942[6]
Mediterranean 1942[24] 		Sunk in action with E Boats off Tobruk. Built by Smith's Dock & Co Ltd, Middlesbrough. Requisitioned from Union Whaling Co. Durban, South Africa on 8 September 1940.[30] Was found unsuitable as ordinary minesweeper and was converted to L.L. Minesweeper in Cape Town. Sailed from Durban 4 April and went into service in Mediterranean end May 1942.[25]
HMSAS Johannesburg Margarita Molins (1925)
Mossa Medes
MV Suderoy III 		T56 (T456) 20 August 1942 S Afr Waters: 1942-45[6] Laid up in March 1946. Handed over to the Royal Navy for disposal on 17 April 1946. Built by Porsgrund Mek Verksted, Tonsberg, Norway in 1925. Requisitioned from Suderoy Whaling Company on 3 July 1941.[31]
HMSAS Springs MV Tas I
MV Uni I 		T38 (T478) 20 March 1941 20 July 1945 S Afr Waters: 1940-45[6] Sold by auction back to Union Whaling Company of Durban 7 May 1946 Built by Moss Værft & Dokk, Moss, Norway for the Fraternitas Whaling Company in 1930. Later bought by the Union Whaling Company of Durban, South Africa. Requisitioned in August 1940.[32]
HMSAS Nigel MV Tas II
MV Uni II 		T40 (T440) 10 March 1941 11 January 1945 S Afr Waters: 1941-44[6] Sold by auction to Palestine Fishing Company of Durban 7 May 1946 Built by Moss Værft & Dokk, Moss, Norway for the Fraternitas Whaling Company in 1930. Later bought by the Union whaling Company of Durban, South Africa. Requisitioned in August 1940.[32]
HMSAS Germiston MV Foik (1923)
MV Star VI
MV Tas IV
MV Uni IV (1937) 		T47 22 September 1941 9 September 1944 S Afr Waters: 1941-44[14] Sold to private owner 7 May 1946 Built by Akers Shipyards, Oslo, Denmark in 1923. Requisitioned from Union Whaling Company, Durban, South Africa.[33]
HMSAS Krugersdorp MV Alex Lange (1923)
MV Star VII
MV Tas V
MV Uni V (1937). 		T48 21 June 1941 22 August 1944 S Afr Waters: 1941-44[6] Sold to private owner 7 May 1946 Built by Akers Shipyards, Oslo, Denmark in 1923. Requisitioned from Union Whaling Company, Durban, South Africa.[33]
Hektor class HMSAS Roodepoort MV Hektor 6[34] T57 (T457) S Afr Waters: 1942-45[6]
HMSAS Boksburg T46 (T446) Libya 1942[6]
Mediterranean 1942-5[24]
Aegean 1944[24] 		Converted to LL minesweeper in Durban. Sailed 10 November 1941 and went into service in Mediterranean end February 1942. Returned to Durban November 1945. 240 t whaler[35]
Hektor class HMSAS Bever MV Hektor 10 T26 10 October 1941 30 November 1944[35] Libya 1942[6]
Mediterranean 1942-4[24]
Aegean 1944[24] 		Struck a mine and sank whilst maneuvering her engines to keep position when in the Gulf of Nauplia, Greece. Built by Nylands Verksted, Oslo, Norway. Converted to LL minesweeper in Durban. Sailed 10 Nov 1941 and went into service in Mediterranean end Feb 1942. 252t Whaler[35]
Hektor class HMSAS Gribb MV Hektor 9 T50 (T450) June 1941 Decommissioned October 1945 and handed over to RN. Libya 1942[6]
Mediterranean 1943-45[24]
Aegean 1944[24] 		Scrapped 1965 Built by Nylands Verksted, Oslo, Norway. Converted to LL minesweeper in Beirut. Went into service in Mediterranean April 1942. Returned to Durban Nov 1945 and sold to M Hosted Fangsrederi of Trondheim, Norway and converted to fishing trawler.[36] 280t Whaler[25]
HMSAS Seksern MV Seksern T52 (T452) June 1941[37] April 1946[37] Libya 1942[6]
Mediterranean 1941-45[24]
Aegean 1944[24] 		Returned to owners in April 1946.[37] Sold for scrap by Tromstral in 1974 Built by Akers Men Verksted, Oslo, Norway. Converted to LL minesweeper in Hafia. Went into service in Mediterranean April 1942. Returned to Durban October 1945 and sold to Tromstral & Co, Kristiansand, Norway in 1953 and converted to fishing trawler. 280 t whaler[25]
HMSAS Treern MV Treern[38] T94 June 1941 12 January 1945 Libya 1942[6]
Mediterranean 1942-44[24]
Aegean 1944[24] 		Sunk by a mine at Volo, Greece on 12 January 1945.[25]Treern was the last South African warship to be lost during World War II.[39] Built by Akers Men Verksted, Oslo, Norway. A magnetic minesweeper she is given her number T451 and allocated the pennant number 94. Converted to LL minesweeper in Beirut. Went into service in Mediterranean May 1942. 247 t whaler[25]
HMSAS Randfontein MV Pol I T12[Note 1]
(T512) 		7 October 1941 16 March 1945 S Afr Waters: 1941-44[6] Returned to RN for disposal 17 April 1946 and sold to Maj. L.H. Cripps on behalf of Wheelock & Co Ltd, Shanghai, China. Sunk off Natal whilst under tow from Durban to China in July 1947[40] Built by Akers Men Verksted, Oslo, Norway in 1926. Requisitioned from Bryde & Dahl, Norway. Fitted out as conventional minesweeper.[40]
HMSAS Benoni Lorentz Bruun
MV Pol V 		T54
(T454) 		9 March 1942 28 August 1945 S Afr Waters: 1942-45[14] Returned to RN for disposal 17 April 1946 and sold to Maj. L.H. Cripps on behalf of Wheelock & Co Ltd, Shanghai, China. Also parted from tow in same convoy as Pol V in Mozambique channel and was abandoned. Presumed sunk July 1947[40] First launched Tonsberg, Norway in 1925. Requisitioned from Bryde & Dahl, Norway. Fitted out as magnetic minesweeper.[40]

Minesweeping trawlers[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Battle Honours Fate Notes
Mersey class HMSAS Immortelle[Note 2] HMT Thomas Johns (1918)
HMT Eden (1920) 		T49 1 April 1922 31 March 1934 Returned to RN and reverted to HMT Eden.[41] Builder: Cochrane & Sons, Selby, Yorkshire, England, 1918.
Mersey class HMSAS Sonneblom[Note 3] HMT John Edmund (1918)
HMT Foyle (1920) 		T48 1 April 1922 31 March 1934 S Afr Waters: 1941-45[6]
Indian Ocean: 1943-45[6] 		Returned to RN and reverted to HMT Foyle.[41] Builder: Goole Shipbuilding and Repair Company, Goole, Hampshire, England, 1918.
Bluff class HMSAS Aristea MT Aristea T18 28 November 1939 27 December 1944 S Afr Waters: 1939-44[14] Returned to owner December 1944.[42] Builder: Hall Russell, Aberdeen, 1935. Requisitioned from Irvin & Johnson. She formed part of a minesweeper flotilla (with HMSAS Bluff, HMSAS Babiana, HMSAS Africana, HMSAS Natalia, HMSAS Aristea and HMSAS Crassula under command of Lt.Cdr. F.J. Dean) to clear German mines off Cape Agulhas on 13–15 May 1940, making them the first South African Navy vessels to participate in operations in WW2.[27]
Bluff class HMSAS Babiana MT Babiana T20 23 September 1939[43] 27 December 1944 S Afr Waters: 1939-44[14] Returned to owner December 1944 and scrapped 1966. Builder: Hall Russell, Aberdeen, 1934. Requisitioned from Irvin & Johnson.[42] Based in East London[27] She formed part of a minesweeper flotilla (with HMSAS Bluff, HMSAS Babiana, HMSAS Africana, HMSAS Natalia, HMSAS Aristea and HMSAS Crassula under command of Lt.Cdr. F.J. Dean) to clear German mines off Cape Agulhas on 13–15 May 1940, making them the first South African Navy vessels to participate in operations in WW2.[27]
Bluff class HMSAS Bluff MT Bluff T21 15 September 1939[43] 27 December 1944 S Afr Waters: 1939-44[14] Returned to owner December 1944. Builder: Hall Russell, Aberdeen, 1934. Requisitioned from Irvin & Johnson.[42]Based in East London.[27] She formed part of a minesweeper flotilla (with HMSAS Bluff, HMSAS Babiana, HMSAS Africana, HMSAS Natalia, HMSAS Aristea and HMSAS Crassula under command of Lt.Cdr. F.J. Dean) to clear German mines off Cape Agulhas on 13–15 May 1940, making them the first South African Navy vessels to participate in operations in WW2.[27]
Bluff class HMSAS Crassula MT Crassula T19 17 October 1939 25 October 1944 S Afr Waters: 1939-44[14] Returned to owner December 1944 and scrapped 1968. Builder: Hall Russell, Aberdeen, 1935. Requisitioned from Irvin & Johnson.[42] She formed part of a minesweeper flotilla (with HMSAS Bluff, HMSAS Babiana, HMSAS Africana, HMSAS Natalia, HMSAS Aristea and HMSAS Crassula under command of Lt.Cdr. F.J. Dean) to clear German mines off Cape Agulhas on 13–15 May 1940, making them the first South African Navy vessels to participate in operations in WW2.[27]
Disa class HMSAS Arum T10 4 November 1939 26 October 1944 S Afr Waters: 1939-44[14] Returned to owner Builder: Hall Russell, Aberdeen, 1926. Requisitioned from Irvin & Johnson.[44]
Disa class HMSAS Disa T14 5 September 1939[43] 16 June 1940 S Afr Waters: 1939-40[14] Returned to owner Builder: Hall Russell, Aberdeen, 1924. Requisitioned from Irvin & Johnson.[44]
Disa class HMSAS Nerine T11 4 November 1939[43] 26 October 1944 S Afr Waters: 1939-44[6] Returned to owner. Builder: Hall Russell, Aberdeen, 1925. Requisitioned from Irvin & Johnson.[44]
Castle class HMSAS Algoa Bay TR46 (Canadian Navy)
MV Algoa Bay 		T12 25 November 1939 9 December 1940 S Afr Waters: 1939-40[14] Returned to owner and resumed trawling Minesweeping trawler TR 46 was commissioned on 12 May 1919 into Royal Canadian Navy. Was decommissioned the same year and sold to Irvin and Johnson fishing fleet in 1926 and renamed Algoa Bay. Commandeered by South African government in October 1939 and commissioned as minesweeper HMSAS Algoa Bay. She was paid off in December 1940.[45]
Castle class HMSAS David Haigh HMCS TR60 (Canadian Navy)
CT60 (US Navy)
MV David Haigh 		D11 19 September 1939[43] Laid up 15 October 1945 S Afr Waters: 1939-45[14] Sold on 25 June 1946 TR 60 was complete in Nov 1918 and paid off in 1919. Minesweeping trawler TR 60 was commissioned on 12 May 1919 into Royal Canadian Navy, temporarily transferred to the United States Navy as CT60, she was returned in August 1919. Sold to Irvin and Johnson fishing fleet and requisitioned by South African Navy as HMSAS David Haigh in 1939 and served until 1944. In 1947 she was purchased by Irvin and Johnson as part of the expansion of their South African fishing fleet.[46]
Strath class HMSAS Richard Bennett[47] T15 S Afr Waters: 1939-40[6]
Mersey class HMSAS Africana T01 (T501) 10 September 1939[43] 10 April 1947 S Afr Waters: 1939-45[14] Returned to Sea Fisheries Built by Hall Russell, Aberdeen Scotland (1930). Requisitioned from South African Department of Sea Fisheries.[48] She formed part of a minesweeper flotilla (with HMSAS Bluff, HMSAS Babiana, HMSAS Africana, HMSAS Natalia, HMSAS Aristea and HMSAS Crassula under command of Lt.Cdr. F.J. Dean) to clear German mines off Cape Agulhas on 13–15 May 1940, making them the first South African Navy vessels to participate in operations in WW2.[27]

Minesweepers[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
Ton class SAS Durban M1499 Museum ship in Durban Built in the UK for South African Navy.[49] While undergoing restoration at Port Natal Maritime Museum for exhibition as a museum ship, sank at its dock in shallow water on 29 June 2020.
Ton class SAS East London HMS Chilton M1215 October 1958 1989 Sold to Italian film company in 2003. Broken up after.[49] Ship was never commissioned in Royal Navy service, was put in storage and later transferred to SA Navy.
Ton class SAS Johannesburg HMS Castleton M1207 June 1959 1985 Broken up 1989[49] Ship was never commissioned in Royal Navy service, was put in storage and later transferred to SA Navy.
Ton class SAS Kaapstad HMS Hazleton M1141
P1557 		22 August 1955 1985 Converted to a patrol minesweeper in the mid-1970s. Broken up 1989 Built by Cooke, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley, Yorks - Laid down 30 March 1953 and launched 6 February 1954. Ship was never commissioned in Royal Navy service, was put in storage and sold to SA Navy in 1959. Laid up December 1985 and broken up in Table Bay 1989.
Ton class SAS Kimberley HMS Stratton M1210 Ship was never commissioned in Royal Navy service, was put in storage and sold to SA Navy in 1959.
Ton class SAS Mosselbaai HMS Oakington M1213 Broken up 1989 Ship was never commissioned in Royal Navy service, was put in storage and sold to SA Navy in 1959.
Ton class SAS Port Elizabeth HMS Dumbleton M1212 October 1958 Broken up 1989 Ship was never commissioned in Royal Navy service, was put in storage and sold to SA Navy in 1959.
Ton class SAS Pretoria HMS Dunkerton
HMS Golden Firefly 		M1144
P1556 		22 August 1955 December 1985 Converted to a patrol ninesweeper in the mid-1970s. Broken up in Cape Town, December 2010 Built by Goole Shipbuilding & Repair Co Ltd, Goole. Ship was never commissioned into Royal Navy service, was put in storage and sold to SA Navy in 1959. After decommissioning, became a museum ship in Hout Bay - Laid down: 25 September 1952 and launched: 8 March 1954 (SANF). Sold to Charles Bates in December 1987 and laid up as a static museum ship in Hout Bay until late 1990s. Sold to Gary van der Merwe and converted to yacht and renamed 'Madiba' then converted to diving support vessel and chartered to De Beers as survey vessel off the Namibian coast. Name changed to Golden Firefly. Broken up in Cape Town, December 2010.
Ton class SAS Walvisbaai HMS Packington M1214 1959 Sold to The Walt Disney Company Ship was never commissioned in Royal Navy service, was put in storage and sold to SA Navy in 1959.
Ton class SAS Windhoek M1498 17 April 1958 1999 Sold and broken up for scrap in 2003 Built in the UK for South African Navy by John I. Thornycroft & Co, Ltd, Woolston, Southampton.[49] Laid down 5 July 1956 and launched 27 June 1957.
Algerine class SAS Pietermaritzburg HMS Pelorus (J-291) M291 7 October 1943 in RN Scuttled in Smitswinkel Bay
12 November 1994 		Built by Lobnitz, Renfrew, Scotland. Laid down on 8 October 1942 and launched 18 June 1943. Sold to the South African Navy in 1947 - Arrived in South Africa 24 December 1947. Scuttled as an artificial reef at Miller's Point near Simon's Town 12 November 1994.
Algerine class HMSAS Bloemfontein HMS Rosamund[50] M439 16 July 1945 Expended as target on 5 June 1967 in False Bay Built by Port Arthur Shipbuilding, Canada. Laid down 26 April 1944 and launched 20 December 1944. Sold to the South African Navy in 1947, arrived in South Africa: 24 December 1947. Sunk as a target in False Bay 5 June 1967.

Submarines[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
Daphne class SAS Spear SAS Maria van Riebeeck S97 24 Jul 1970 '[51] 2003 Scrapped Originally named for the wife of Jan van Riebeeck (first Cape Colony commander) Maria van Riebeeck
Daphne class SAS Umkhonto SAS Emily Hobhouse S98 26 Feb 1971 2008 Scrapped Named for Emily Hobhouse
Daphne class SAS Assegaai SAS Johanna van der Merwe S99 27 Aug 1971 Simonstown Naval Museum Named for Voortrekker heroine Johanna van der Merwe
Agosta class SAS Adventurous Never commissioned Not delivered; sold to Pakistan as PNS Hurmat[52] Built by Dubigeon-Normandie Nantes, France. Launched 1 December 1978 and completed 18 February 1980. These vessels were ordered from France, but were embargoed (United Nations Security Council Resolution 418 in 1977) on 8 November 1977 with South African crews on board.
Agosta class SAS Astrant Never commissioned Not delivered; sold to Pakistan as PNS Hashmat[52] Built by Dubigeon-Normandie Nantes, France. Launched 14 December 1977 and completed 17 February 1979. These vessels were ordered from France, but were embargoed (United Nations Security Council Resolution 418 in 1977) on 8 November 1977 with South African crews on board.
Ships related to above classes
  • HMSAS Immortelle, circa 1935
    HMSAS Immortelle, circa 1935
  • Ton-class minesweeper
    Ton-class minesweeper
  • Algerine-class minesweeper
    Algerine-class minesweeper
  • Agosta-class submarine. Ordered by the South African Navy but never delivered due to arms embargo.
    Agosta-class submarine. Ordered by the South African Navy but never delivered due to arms embargo.
  • HMSAS Brakpan, circa 1941
    HMSAS Brakpan, circa 1941

Anti-submarine[edit]

Anti-submarine whalers and trawlers[edit]

South African Navy vessels pennant numbers T01-T62 used numbers duplicated with the Royal Navy. In 1944 South African Navy vessel pennant numbers were increased to avoid duplication. 500 was added to pennant numbers T01-21, 440 was added to pennant numbers T22-39 and 400 was added to numbers T40-61. Thus as an example, T40 became T440 and T05 became T505.[2]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Battle Honours Fate Notes
AS Whaler HMSAS Blaauwberg T32 27 December 1940[43] S Afr Waters: 1941-45[14]
Indian Ocean: 1944-45[14]
AS Whaler HMSAS Cedarberg T31 14 March 1941[43] S Afr Waters 1940-45[14]
Indian Ocean: 1944[6]
AS Whaler HMSAS Sydostlandet MV Sydostlandet[53] T33 4 January 1941[43] 6 April 1942[53] S Afr Waters: 1941-42[6] Ran aground (and sank) on 6 April 1942 in bad weather approx. 4.5 nm north of the Umgeni River mouth at Durban, South Africa.[54][53] 1932 - Built as at Framnæs mechanical Workshop, Sandefjord, Norway for A/S Thor Dahl, Sandefjord; named MV Sydostlandet. Sold to Irvin & Johnsen (South Africa) Ltd, Cape Town in June 1933 and transferred to Kerguelen Sealing & Whaling Co. Ltd, Cape Town. in 1934. Requisitioned by S. A. Navy, Cape Town in 1941 and renamed HMSAS Sydtostlanet T. 33 and Converted to mine sweeper.[53]
AS Whaler HMSAS Odberg MV Odberg[55] T25 (T465) 1 May 1941[43] S Afr Waters: 1941-45[6]
Indian Ocean: 1943-45[6] 		1946: Sold to Anders Jahre & Co, Sandefjord and registered as MV Kos 30[55] First registered on 22.1.1936 to Kerguelen Sealing & Whaling Co Ltd, (Irvin & Johnson (South Africa) Ltd), Cape Town.[55]
AS Trawler HMSAS Rondevlei MV Hektor 1[56] T14 8 June 1940[43] S Afr Waters: 1942-45[6] Assigned as S.A.N.F. vessel in South African waters. 247t whaler.[25]
AS Whaler HMSAS Smalvlei MV Hektor 2 T15 (T515) 8 June 1940[43] S Afr Waters: 1940-45[6] Taken over by The Union Whaling Co.Ltd.,Durban after the war, registered as MV UNI XI.[57] Requisitioned for Naval use from June 1940 to May 1946 from Hektoria Ltd, Cape Town.[57]
AS Whaler HMSAS Tordonn MV Tordonn T58 (T458) 25 November 1941[43] 3 October 1945 S Afr Waters: 1942-45[6] Returned to original owners Thor Dahl but was sold by them to W. Harold Lauritzen, Sortland, Norway in 1949. Converted to a tug named Varangis. Sold on again 1968 as Eidsvaering. Sold again 1975 to Harald Kjerringveg. Still registered as at 1992.[58] Built by Smith's Dock Co. Ltd, Middlesbrough in 1925.[58]
AS Whaler HMSAS Pretoria T59 (T459) 8 May 1942[43] S Afr Waters: 1942-45[6]
Indian Ocean: 1942-45[6]
AS Whaler HMSAS Turffontein T61 (T461) 17 August 1942[43] S Afr Waters: 1942-45[6]
Indian Ocean: 1943-45[6]
AS Whaler HMSAS Vereeniging T62 27 June 1942[43] S Afr Waters: 1942-45[6]
Indian Ocean: 1943-45[6]
AS Whaler HMSAS Standerton T60 (T460) 26 October 1942[43] S Afr Waters: 1941-45[6]
Indian Ocean: 1943-45[6]
Southern class HMSAS Southern Floe MV Southern Floe T26 October 1940[43] 11 February 1941[35]
Mediterranean 1941[24] 		Lost off Tobruk by sea mine[35][59][Note 4] Requisitioned from the Southern Whaling & Sealing Co. Ltd., Durban. 344 tons, converted for Anti-Submarine operations and armed with 1x 3 lb Gun (forward), 20mm and machine-guns. Complement of 20-25 Officers and ratings. Formed part of 22nd Anti-Submarine Group, S.A. Seaward Defence Force, Mediterranean.[60] Assigned to Royal Navy with South African crew. Mediterranean 22nd Anti-submarine group. Sailed from Durban 15 Dec 1940 and went into service in Mediterranean Jan 1941. 344 t whaler.[35]
Southern class HMSAS Southern Maid MV Southern Maid T27 (T467) October 1940 Libya 1941-42[6]
Mediterranean 1941-45[24]
Sicily 1943[24] 		Requisitioned from the Southern Whaling & Sealing Co. Ltd., Durban. 344 tons, converted for Anti-Submarine operations and armed with 1x 3 lb Gun (forward), 20mm and machine-guns. Complement of 20-25 Officers and ratings.[60] Assigned to Royal Navy with South African crew. Mediterranean 22nd Anti-submarine group. Sailed from Durban 15 Dec 1940 and went into service in Mediterranean Jan 1941. Returned to Durban Dec 1945. 344 t whaler.[35]
Southern class HMSAS Southern Barrier[Note 5]
HMSAS Steenberg[Note 6][61] 		MV Southern Barrier T28[62] S Afr Waters: 1940-45[6] Sold to A / S Kosmos (Anders Jahre & Co.), Sandefjord in May 1946 and renames MV Kos 29 and was sold for scrap in 1964.[61] Delivered from Bremer Volcano, Vegesack to Southern Whaling & Sealing Co. Ltd., London in 1939 as MV Southern Barrier and was requisitioned by South African Seaward Defense Force as HMSAS Southern Barrier T. 28 in 1940. In September 1941 vessel was sold to Chr. Salvesen & Co who retained the name until January 1945 when vessel was in-turn sold to Union Government of South Africa as a minesweeper and named HMSAS Steenberg T.28.[61]
Southern class HMSAS Southern Isles MV Southern Isles T29 November 1940 S Afr Waters: 1945[6]
Indian Ocean: 1945[6]
Libya 1941-42[6]
Mediterranean 1941-44[24] 		Assigned to Royal Navy with South African crew. Requisitioned from the Southern Whaling & Sealing Co. Ltd., Durban. 344 tons, converted for Anti-Submarine operations and armed with 1x 3 lb Gun (forward), 20mm and machine-guns. Complement of 20-25 Officers and ratings.[60] Mediterranean 22nd Anti-submarine group. Sailed from Durban 15 Dec 1940 and went into service in Mediterranean Jan 1941. Returned to Durban Dec 1944. 344 t whaler.[35]
Southern class HMSAS Southern Sea MV Southern Sea T30 (T470) November 1940 S Afr Waters: 1945[6]
Indian Ocean: 1945[6]
Libya 1941-42[6]
Mediterranean 1941-44[24] 		Assigned to Royal Navy with South African crew. Requisitioned from the Southern Whaling & Sealing Co. Ltd., Durban. 344 tons, converted for Anti-Submarine operations and armed with 1x 3 lb Gun (forward), 20mm and machine-guns. Complement of 20-25 Officers and ratings.[60] Mediterranean 22nd Anti-submarine group. Sailed from Durban 15 Dec 1940 and went into service in Mediterranean Jan 1941. Returned to Durban Dec 1944. 344 t whaler.[35]
Terje class HMSAS Brakpan T42 S Afr Waters: 1941-45[14] Brakpan may have been sunk by a mine off the coast of Greece. Built in Wesermund, Germany in 1936
Terje class HMSAS Protea (T43) T43 (T443) S Afr Waters: 1942-43[6]
Indian Ocean: 1944-45[6]
Libya 1941-42[6]
Aegean 1944[24]
Mediterranean 1941-45[24]
Sicily 1943[24] 		Assigned to Royal Navy with South African crew. Mediterranean 22nd Anti-submarine group. Sailed from Durban 9 Aug 1941 and went into service in Mediterranean Oct 1941 to replace Southern Floe. Returned to Durban Dec 1945. 335 t whaler.[35]
Terje class HMSAS Sonneblom (T44) MV Terje 8 T44 (T444) 14 August 1941[43]
Terje class HMSAS Immortelle (T45) T45 (T445) 5 November 1941[43] S Afr Waters: 1942-44[14]
Indian Ocean: 1944-45[6]
AS Trawler HMSAS Blomvlei T17 (T517) 11 October 1939[43] S Afr Waters: 1940-44[14] Assigned as S.A.N.F. vessel in South African waters. Deployed as minesweeper until Feb 1940 and converted to Anti-submarine trawler April 1940. 252 t whaler.[25]
AS Trawler HMSAS Mooivlei T16 (T516) 13 November 1939[43] S Afr Waters: 1940-45[6] Assigned as S.A.N.F. vessel in South African waters. Deployed as minesweeper until Feb 1940 and converted to Anti-submarine trawler April 1940. 252 t whaler.[25]

Frigates[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Battle Honours Fate Notes
River class HMSAS Teviot HMS Teviot K222 June 1945 January 1946 Indian Ocean: 1945[6] Returned to Royal Navy in 1946. Built by Hall Russell, Aberdeen, Scotland. Sold on 29 March 1955 and broken up for scrap.[63]
River class HMSAS Swale HMS Swale K217 1 August 1945 March 1946 Indian Ocean: 1945[6] Returned to Royal Navy in 1946. Built by Smith's Dock, Middlesbrough and launched in 1942. Sold on 26 February 1955 for scrap.[63]
Loch class SAS Good Hope HMS Loch Boisdale (K432) F432 5 July 1944.[64] October 1965[65] North Atlantic 1944-45[6]
North Sea 1944[6]
English Channel 1945[6] 		Scuttled in Smitswinkel Bay, 12 December 1978. Built by Blythe D.D. & Co
Loch class SAS Natal HMS Loch Cree (K430) F430 later A301 19 June 1944[66] North Sea 1944[6] Sunk as a target off the Cape, 19 September 1972. Built by Swan Hunter. Used as a survey ship from 1957.
Loch class SAS Transvaal HMS Loch Ard K602 F602 2 August 1944[66] Scuttled in Smitswinkel Bay 3, August 1978. Built by Harland & Wolf.
Type 15 A/S SAS Vrystaat HMS Wrangler (R48) F157 29 November 1956[67] 1963 Paid off into reserve. Sunk as submarine target 14 April 1976.[68]
President class
[Note 7][59] 		SAS President Pretorius F145 18 March 1964 1985 Sold for scrap 1990.[59] Named for the first President of the South African Republic Marthinus Wessel Pretorius
President class SAS President Kruger F150 3 October 1962 Sunk 1982 Sunk after a collision with SAS Tafelberg on 18 February 1982.[59] Named for South African Republic President Paul Kruger.
President class SAS President Steyn F147 8 April 1963 1980 Used as a target and sunk by missile on 29 April 1991.[59] Named for last President of the Orange Free State Martinus Theunis Steyn

Destroyers[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
W class SAS Jan van Riebeeck HMS Wessex D278 1950 1975 Continued in service until 1978 when she was put on the Disposal List. Expended as a missile target on 25 March 1980. Wessex transferred to South African Navy 29 March 1950 and renamed Jan van Riebeeck after the Dutch founder of Cape Town Jan van Riebeeck. She was modernised with a partial conversion into a frigate between 1964 and 1966.
W class SAS Simon van der Stel HMS Whelp D237 1952 27 March 1972 Placed in reserve from 1957,[69] but was modernised as a Type 15 frigate (in common with other destroyers of her generation) from 1962 to 1964, and re-commissioned in February 1964.[70] Simon van der Stel was scrapped in 1976 at Durban.[70] Sold to South Africa as the replacement for HMSAS Natal (formerly HMS Loch Cree) in 1952.[71] Renamed Simon van der Stel, after the 17th century colonist reputed to be the founder of the South African wine industry. Much of Simon van der Stel′s service was as a "grey ambassador", on good-will visits to Europe and Europe's African colonies, including a 147-day cruise to Europe in 1954. This role, however, declined as South Africa became increasingly isolated during the apartheid years.[72]

Corvettes[edit]

Ordered from France in 1976, but the sale was blocked in 1977 by United Nations Security Council Resolution 418 after official naming, but before they could be delivered or commissioned.

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
A69 class SAS Good Hope F432 Never commissioned into SA Navy Sold to Argentina by builders as ARA Drummond. Vessel was ordered from France, commissioned and South African crew were aboard receiving training when the sale was blocked in 1977.
A69 class SAS Transvaal F602 Never commissioned into SA Navy Sold to Argentina by builders as ARA Guerrico Vessel was ordered from France, named and crew trained in France. Delivery cancelled due to the arms embargo.
Ships related to above classes
  • HMS Swale was loaned to South Africa for six months
    HMS Swale was loaned to South Africa for six months
  • Loch-class frigate
    Loch-class frigate
  • Two of the President-class frigates were built at the same yard as their sister HMS Rothesay
    Two of the President-class frigates were built at the same yard as their sister HMS Rothesay
  • SAS Jan van Riebeeck pictured when still named HMS Wessex
    SAS Jan van Riebeeck pictured when still named HMS Wessex
  • HMSAS Simon van der Stel (Photo when still named HMS Whelp underway on the Tyne, 1944)
    HMSAS Simon van der Stel (Photo when still named HMS Whelp underway on the Tyne, 1944)

Fast attack craft[edit]

Strike craft[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
Warrior class
[Note 8] 		SAS Jan Smuts P1561 8 July 1977[73] 2004 Scrapped 2004 Built by Israel Shipyards Ltd, Haifa, Israel. Originally named after PM of Union of South Africa Jan Smuts[74]
Warrior class SAS Shaka SAS P.W. Botha P1562 2 December 1977[73] 2005 Sunk as target 22 April 2005 by MM40 Exocet anti-ship missile fired by frigate SAS Amatola.[75][76] Built by Israel Shipyards Ltd, Haifa, Israel.[74] Originally named for former President of South Africa Pieter Willem Botha
Warrior class SAS Adam Kok SAS Frederic Creswell P1563 6 April 1978 Awaiting disposal[77] Built by Israel Shipyards Ltd, Haifa, Israel.[74] Originally named for South African Labour Party minister Frederic Creswell and renamed for black South African leader Adam Kok III
Warrior class SAS Sekhukhuni SAS Jim Fouché P1564 22 December 1978 2005 Sunk as target 2005[77] Built by Sandock Austral, Durban, South Africa.[74] Originally named after 2nd President of South Africa Jacobus Johannes Fouché
Warrior class SAS Isaac Dyobha SAS Frans Erasmus P1565 16 Mar 1979[78] 2022[79] Named for former National Party cabinet minister Frans Erasmus; renamed after the Reverend Isaac Dyobha, a chaplain in the SA Native Labour Corps who died in the sinking of the SS Mendi in 1917.[80] Built by Sandock-Austral, Durban, South Africa. Previously decommissioned, was refurbished by SA Shipyards and recommissioned as Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) between 2012 and 2014.
Warrior class SAS René Sethren SAS Oswald Pirow P1566 4 March 1980 October 2001[81] Awaiting disposal[77] Built by Sandock Austral, Durban, South Africa.[74] Originally named after National Party minister Oswald Pirow and renamed for decorated HMSAS officer René Sethren CGM
Warrior class SAS Job Masego SAS Kobie Coetsee P1568 11 February 1983 2008 Sold for scrap[77] Built by Sandock Austral, Durban, South Africa.[74] Originally named after National Party politician Kobie Coetsee; renamed after Cpl Job Masego of the Native Military Corps
Warrior class SAS Galeshewe SAS Hendrik Mentz P1567 11 February 1983 2020 Reserve[77] Built by Sandock Austral, Durban, South Africa.[74] Originally named afterSouth African Party minister of defence Hendrik Mentz. Between 2012 and 2014, selected to be modified to perform duties as an Offshore Patrol Vessel. Conducted regular anti-piracy operations in the Mozambique Channel.

Defence vessels[edit]

Boom defence vessels[edit]

Boom defence vessels were used to maintain anti-submarine nets and anti-torpedo nets around ports, anchorages and individual ships. Royal Navy Bar class.[8]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Battle Honours Fate Notes
Bar class SAS Somerset HMS Barcross, (P285) retained the name HMSAS Barcross until 1951. Renamed SAS Somerset 1951 P285 Transferred to S A Navy on 21 January 1943 31 March 1986 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Used as a museum ship, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront as from 2 September 1988[82] Built by Blythe S.B. Co (1942).
Bar class SAS Fleur HMS Barbrake (Z173) retained the name HMSAS Barbrake until 1951.
Renamed HMSAS Fleur 1951 and SAS Fleur in 1952. 		P273 Transferred to S A Navy on 15 February 1943 S Afr Waters: 1943-44[14]
Indian Ocean: 1943-44[14] 		Sunk by naval gunfire near Simonstown on 8 October 1965[82] Built by William Simons & Co, Renfrew, Scotland (1942)

Seaward defence boats[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
Ford class SAS Gelderland HMS Brayford
HMSAS Gelderland 		P3105 30 August 1954 1988 Stripped and expended as a demolition target off Duiker Point. 21 December 1988 Built by A&J Ingles Ltd, Glasgow. Laid down 1951 and launched 19 February 1952. Transferred to SA Navy 1954.[83]
Ford class SAS Nautilus HMS Glassford
HMSAS Nautilus 		P3120 23 August 1955 17 October 1985 Laid up in Simon's Town. Sold by public tender in 1989 and converted to yacht Nautilus in Cape Town. Built by Richard Dunston Ltd, Doncaster. Laid down 1952 and launched 28 March 1955. Transferred to SA Navy 1955.[83]
Ford class SAS Rijger HMSAS Rijger P3125 6 October 1958 Paid off at Simon's Town. Converted into a re-usable missile target barge. Approved for disposal 1992 Built for South African Navy by Vosper Ltd, Portsmouth. Laid down 1956 and launched 6 February 1958.[83]
Ford class SAS Haerlem HMSAS Haerlem P3126 2 June 1959 1987 Scuttled off Humewood Beach, Port Elizabeth as artificial reef on 30 November 1987. Built for South African Navy by Vosper Ltd, Portsmouth. Laid down 1957, launched 18 June 1958 and completed on 28 November 1958.[83]
Ford class SAS Oosterland HMSAS Oosterland P3127 8 September 1959 Paid off at Durban. Converted into a re-usable missile target barge. Sold to private owner in Hout Bay in 1990. Built for South African Navy by Vosper Ltd, Portsmouth. Laid down 1958, launched 27 January 1959 and completed on 8 September 1959.[83]

Harbour defence motor launches[edit]

HDML 1100-1200 Series were South African built harbour defence motor launches. Length of 72 ft propelled by 2x Gardiner 8-cylinder diesel engines providing 130 BHP with cruising speed of 11 kn.[8]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Battle Honours Fate Notes
HDML 1100-1300 Series[84] HDML 1197 HDML1197 24 July 1943 1966 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Sold 1966 Built by Fred Nicolls, Durban. Attached to SAS Unitie and later SAS Saldanha. Renamed Windward II after sale.[85]
HDML 1100-1300 Series[86] HDML 1198 HDML1198 26 July 1943 1956 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Sold Built by Fred Nicolls, Durban. Attached to Salisbury Island.[85]
HDML 1100-1300 Series[86] HDML 1199 HDML1199 20 July 1943 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Sold 1955 Built by Fred Nicolls, Durban. Attached to SAS Inkonkoni until 1948. Used as a ferry on Salisbury Island from 1948 - 1950.[85]
HDML 1100-1300 Series[86] HDML 1200 HDML1200 4 August 1943 8 September 1969 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Sold Built by Fred Nicolls, Durban. Attached to SAS Donkin. Renamed Venture. after sale to private owner.[85]
HDML 1100-1300 Series[86] HDML 1201 HDML1201 6 August 1943 1959 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Sold Built by Fred Nicolls, Durban. Attached to Naval Dockyard, Simon's Town.[85]
HDML 1100-1300 Series[86] HDML 1202 HDML1202 3 September 1943 1962 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Sold 1962 Built by Fred Nicolls, Durban. Attached to SAS Port Rex and later SAS Donkin. Damaged in collision in 1959.[85]
HDML 1100-1300 Series[86] HDML 1203 HDML1203 22 July 1943 1968 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Sold 1968 Built by Herbie Spradbrow, Durban. Attached to SAS Port Rex and later transferred to SAS Inkonkoni.[85]
HDML 1100-1300 Series[86] HDML 1204 HDML1204 10 December 1943 1976 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Sold 1976 Built by Herbie Spradbrow, Durban. Attached to SAS Robbeneiland. Used as ferry between Cape Town and Murry's Harbour on Robben Island. Transferred to Military Academy, Saldanha in 1971.[85]
HDML 1100-1300 Series[86] HDML 1330 HDML1330 23 June 1944 1953 S Afr Waters: 1944-45[14] Sold for scrap 1953 Built by Fred Nicolls, Durban.[85]
HDML 1100-1300 Series[86] HDML 1331 HDML1331 28 June 1944 1952 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Sold 1953 Built by Fred Nicolls, Durban. Attached to Salisbury Island.[85]
HDML 1100-1300 Series[86] HDML 1332 HDML1332 28 June 1944 1958 S Afr Waters: 1943-45[14] Sold 1958 Built by Fred Nicolls, Durban. Attached to SAS Unitie.[85]

Depot / replenishment ships[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
Gadfly class HMSAS Afrikander HMS Tickler (1879)
HMS YC229 (1902) 		15 June 1923 December 1932 Returned to Royal Navy Builder: Pembroke Dock, England, 1879. Tickler was a third-class coastal defence gunboat, converted to the role of a depot ship in 1919. Renamed HMS Afrikander II in 1933. Broken up for scrap, Simons Town 1937.[87]
Commercial tanker SAS Tafelberg Danish MT Annam A243 10 August 1967 Sold for scrap 1993 Built by Nakskovs Skibsvaerft, Denmark and completed on 23 October 1958.[88]
Icebreaker SAS Outeniqua Aleksandr Sledzyuk
Juvent 		A302 8 June 1993[89] 30 July 2004[90] Sold for conversion to floating accommodation vessel on the River Tyne, UK.[91] Built by Khersonski Sudnobudivny in Zavod-Kherson, Ukraine, launched 6 September 1991 as Alexander Sledzuk. After 12 months charter service renamed as Juvent. Purchased on behalf of the SA Navy on February 26, 1993, as replacement for SAS Tafelberg. In 1994 modifications to hangar, flight deck, replenishment at sea equipment and the fitting of light armament were done to permit conversion to combat support vessel. Sold to Mertech Marine (Pty) Ltd and renamed Paardeburg. Sold again in 2006 to C&M Gp. and became Ice Maiden I in 2007.[91]

Other vessels[edit]

Air-sea rescue launches[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
Type 1 HSL R0 HMS Malmok R0 1940 1946 Sold after having her engines removed. Built by British Power Boat Company, Hythe, Southampton.[92]
PT boat R1 to R8 R1 to R8 1941 R1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 sold 1946–8.
R2 sold in 1950s.
R4 sold in 1960s. 		Built by Miami Shipbuilding Corporation, Florida, USA.[92]
PT boat R10 to R20 R10 to R20 1944 R10 broken up in 1946 after grounding.
R12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 sold in 1950s.
R11, 18, 19 and 20 sold in the 1960s. 		Built by Miami Shipbuilding Corporation, Florida, USA.[92]
P1551 R31 P1551 1962 Built by Kogerwerft, Redsburg, West Germany.[92]
P1552 R30 P1552 1961 1988 Lost off Saldanah Bay on 7 October 1988 after striking a reef off Danger Point. Built by Kogerwerft, Redsburg, West Germany.[92]
PT boat P1553 R9 P1553 1944 1973 Sold to private owner. Renamed Circe, Hout Bay. Built by Miami Shipbuilding Corporation, Florida, USA.[92]
Tracker-class P1554 P1554 1973 1986 Sold to private owner. Built by Groves & Gutteridge, Cowes, UK.[92]
Tracker-class P1555 P1555 1973 Built by Groves & Gutteridge, Cowes, UK.[92]
P1558 P1558 1977 1986 Sunk as a gunnery target on 15 September 1988 during Exercise Magersfontein Built by Dorman Long Van der Bijl Corporation, Durban South Africa in 1976. Built for the Malawi Defence Force for use on Lake Malawi. With the revolution in Mozambique in 1977 the planned delivery route via northern Mozambique was no longer viable. The ship was subsequently handed over to the South African Navy.[93]

Hospital ships[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
HMHS Ebani SS Ebani 1 December 1914 1918 Transferred to Royal Navy after World War I. Sold in 1938 to Italy and renamed Maristella. Manned by Natal Medical Corps (NMC) and complemented by British crew. Served as hospital ship for service in German South-West Africa.

Hydrographic survey[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
Hunt class HMSAS Protea (1922)[Note 3] HMS Ventnor (1917)
HMS Verwood (1918)
HMS Crozier (1919)[94] 		1 April 1922 30 April 1933 Returned to RN 30 April 1933 Builder: William Simons & Co, Renfrew, Scotland, 1919. Sold by tender to Protea Showboat (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town.[95]
Flower class HMSAS Protea (1947) HMS Rockrose
HMSAS Protea 		K51 4 October 1947 January 1957 Paid off to reserve. Sold by tender in 1962. Broken up, Table Bay, 1967.[96] Builder: C. Hill & Sons, Bristol, 1941. Converted to survey vessel in 1946.
A331 Department of Transport
RV RSA 		A331 23 April 1978 17 March 1980 Transferred back to South African Department of Transport. Built by Fujinagata Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd, Osaka, Japan.[97]

Training ships[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
SATS General Botha HMS Thames 1 April 1922 30 April 1933 Scuttled in False Bay on 13 May 1947 Named for the first PM of the Union of South Africa Louis Botha
SAS Navigator Built by Fred Nicols (Pty) Ltd, Durban, South Africa.

Salvage vessels[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Battle Honours Fate Notes
HMSAS Gamtoos SS Gamtoos W122 10 October 1942 1946 Mediterranean 1943-45[24]
Italy 1944[24]
South France 1944[24] 		Transferred to Department of Agriculture in 1946. Expended as a target on 10 June 1976. Builder: Scott & Sons, Glasgow, Scotland, 1936. Bought from Smiths Coasters, Durban in 1942.[98]
King Salvor class HMSAS Salvestor RFA Salvestor W176 31 August 1944 1946
Mediterranean 1944-45[24]
Aegean 1944[24]
Pacific 1945[24] 		Returned to Royal Navy Built by William Simons & Co, Renfrew, Scotland. Launched 28 August 1942. Operated by SANF personnel in the Mediterranean and Far East. Broken up for scrap at Briton Ferry in 1970.[99]
SAS Fleur P3148 Sold to Neill Scott-Williams in 2010 and deployed to Subtech Marine of Durban as a Support/Supply Vessel Built by Dorman & Long, Durban, South Africa (1969). Torpedo recovery and diving tender.

Cable layer vessels[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Battle Honours Fate Notes
Kil class HMSAS Mead MV Kilmeade
HMS Kilmead 		27 August 1942 1947 S Afr Waters: 1944-1945[6] Returned to owners in August 1947 Builder: Smith's Dock Co. Ltd, Glasgow, Middlesbrough, 1919. Requisitioned from Smiths Coasters, Durban in 1942.[100]

Examination vessels[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
HMSAS Clara Scuttled off Robben Island in Table Bay in 1961 Also used as supply tender in Cape Town and Walvis Bay. Circa 1941.[101]
HMSAS Stork
HMSAS William Messina

Tugs[edit]

Class Name Previous names Pennant Commissioned Decommissioned Fate Notes
Tug SAS De Noord 1963 2014 Replaced by new Damen Tug
Tug SAS De Neys 1969 2015 Replaced by new Damen Tug
Tug SAS De Mist 1978 2016 Sunk at mooring, awaiting salvage on 10 November 2018 [102][103][104] Replaced by new Damen Tug
Ships related to above classes
  • HMS Barcross (1943), later renamed SAS Somerset.
    HMS Barcross (1943), later renamed SAS Somerset.
  • The Ford-class SAS Gelderland in Table Bay
    The Ford-class SAS Gelderland in Table Bay
  • Flower-class corvette. SAS Protea was converted to a hydrographic survey vessel by the conversion of such a corvette.
    Flower-class corvette. SAS Protea was converted to a hydrographic survey vessel by the conversion of such a corvette.
  • SATS General Botha circa 1926
    SATS General Botha circa 1926
  • HMHS Ebani in East Africa
    HMHS Ebani in East Africa

Notes and references[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Previously allocated to Algoa Bay
  2. ^ HMSAS Immortelle (HMT Eden), together with HMSAS Sonneblom (HMT Foyle) and HMSAS Protea (1922) (HMS Crozier) were comisisoned on 1 April 1922 to form the nucleus of the South African Naval Service (SANS) and were the first three ships in what would become the South African Navy.
  3. ^ a b See Note 1
  4. ^ Losses were: ANDERS, John, Steward, 69637 (SANF), MPK BOWER, Robert, Stoker 1c, 69935 (SANF), MPK BRAND, Leslie A, Able Seaman, 69828 (SANF), MPK CAULFIELD, Patrick, Steward, 69802 (SANF), MPK CHANDLER, Charles R D, Cook (S), 69613 (SANF), MPK CHENOWETH, Richard, Stoker 1c, 67420 (SANF), MPK FAIRLEY, Alexander E, Sub Lieutenant SANF, MPK FRIEDLANDER, Cecil A, Able Seaman, 114703 (SANF), MPK GARDINER, Elliott, Able Seaman, 67260 (SANF), MPK GREENACRE, John H, Leading Seaman, 69677 (SANF), MPK HEASMAN, Gratwicke E E, Engine Room Artificer 4c, 69784 (SANF), MPK HOGG, Roy S, Sub Lieutenant, SANF, MPK INNES, Ian Mck, Sub Lieutenant, SANF, MPK MARSH, Reginald H Y, Able Seaman, 69911 (SANF), MPK MITCHELL, William N, Able Seaman, 69787 (SANF), MPK NEL, Eloff R, Able Seaman, 69635 (SANF), MPK NICHOLSON, Douglas O, Able Seaman, 66833 (SANF), MPK PUGH, John R, Able Seaman, 66877 (SANF), MPK RYALL, David R, Able Seaman, 69999 (SANF), MPK SHIMMIN, William, Leading Stoker, 69661 (SANF), MPK SIENI, Joseph F, Able Seaman, 69788 (SANF), MPK SNELL, Harold W, Leading Telegraphist, 69827 (SANF), MPK STANLEY, Gordon J, Able Seaman, 66963 (SANF), MPK WALTON, Dudley N, Sub Lieutenant, SANF, MPK
  5. ^ Named HMSAS Southern Barrier from 1939 to September 1941
  6. ^ Named HMSAS Steenberg from January 1945 to May 1946. Retained pennant number T.28
  7. ^ The President class were three Rothesay-class frigates provided under the British-South African Simonstown Agreement
  8. ^ Previously Minister class

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ "HISTORIC PENNANT NUMBERS & THE NEW BIRO IPVs". 15 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Bush, Steve; Warlow, Ben (31 July 2021). Pendant Numbers of the Royal Navy: A Complete History of the Allocation of Pendant Numbers to Royal Navy Warships & Auxiliaries. Pen & Sword Books Limited. ISBN 9781526793812.
  3. ^ Du Toit 1992, p. 338-340.
  4. ^ a b c Du Toit 1992, p. xviii.
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Bibliography[edit]

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

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