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The move of a former South African Navy Daphne-class submarine from the Dockyard to its permanent display site at the new annex of the Naval Museum in Simon’s Town must rank as one of the most significant achievements in local ship preservation and can only be described as truly monumental. This mega move was carried out by the heavy lift contractor Vanguard during July and involved a complex over-land move of the 58 metre submarine with its estimated weight of almost 700 tons.
Preparations for the move had already commenced in November 2022 with the laying of foundations on the new site for the mounting of the submarine, followed by the fabrication and fitting of lifting frames on the hull which was sponsored and carried out by Damen Shipyard and facilitated by Armscor Dockyard. On 25 June this year, all preparations on the submarine were complete and SAS Assegaai was finally moved to a position from which it could be lifted by the Vanguard hydraulic lifting platforms.
The move itself was not without its challenges and tested the resolve of both the project team, Dockyard workers and Vanguard, but all were reminded that ‘calm seas do not make skilled sailors!’ At the first attempt, on the 8th of July, the submarine came off the blocks in the afternoon and the trek towards the museum site commenced. But at the first 90-degree turn, it became apparent that the loading frames were not sufficiently compatible with the load points of the moving gear. The move was halted, and the submarine made safe. The frames had to be strengthened in the required areas which required more time, steel and welders. A new schedule had to be drawn up with the inclement weather of July adding to the challenge.
But the NHT project team persisted with great resolve and thanks to great cooperation from the Navy, Dockyard and Vanguard, the mega-move was successfully completed over two days on 19 and 20 July.
On 20 July, the former SA Navy Daphne class submarine SAS Assegaai finally arrived home at the new Naval Museum annex in Simon's Town.
This move brought an end to the first phase in the preservation of the submarine as a museum – a joint venture between the SA Navy and the Naval Heritage Trust (NHT). Two years earlier, in May 2022, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Navy and the NHT, who was entrusted with the ambitious project. The NHT project team comprise of an experienced group of former naval flag and senior officers many of whom had served in the Daphne class submarine. Although the Navy fully supports the project, all the required funding for the project must be raised through the NHT. The move was rightly made possible thanks to generous support from more than a 150 public sponsors and donors which culminated in a substantial grant from the City of Cape Town.
Now with the vessel secured on site, electrical power will be connected, access doors and stairs will be installed and the interior prepared for visitors. Once the museum facilities have been completed and the submarine declared safe the submarine will be opened for visitors before the end of the year. The final phase, the restoration of the exterior of the hull, will be carried out once further funding has been raised.
Artist's impression of the Submarine Museum in Simons Town. Location next to the NSRI and opposite the Seven Seas Club.
SAS Assegaai will be the only preserved naval museum vessel in South Africa and the only submarine museum in Africa.
SAS Johanna van der Merwe (pennant number S99) (referred to as “Johanna") was one of three Daphne-class submarines in service with the South African Navy. It was laid down in Nantes, France on 24 April 1969, launched on 21 July 1970 and commissioned on 27 August 1971. The submarine arrived in Simon’s Town on 19 June 1972. It was renamed as SAS Assegaai in 1997. The submarine was decommissioned in 2003 and was retained by the Navy for preservation as part of its Naval Museum.
The submarine SAS Johanna van der Merwe sailing for home from Toulon France on 4 May 1972. The submarine arrived in Simon's Town on 19 June 1972.
Commander Leon Steyn is the curator of the South African Naval Museum.
Thank you to the Naval Heritage Trust for contributing to this article.
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