The SAAF Forum

The South African Navy successfully operated three French built Daphné Class submarines during the 70s, 80s and part of the 90s. These were replaced by three German built Type 209 submarines in the early 2000s. Two of the original Daphné submarines were disposed of as scrap metal whilst Ministerial approval was granted to retain the 3rd submarine (SAS Assegaai at the time) as a museum.

This submarine museum was successfully operated from 2008 to 2015 with the boat lying alongside the outer wall of the Simon’s Town harbour. After 2015, the boat required external maintenance and was kept on the synchro lift inside the harbour for preservation ashore.

Due to budgetary restrictions this could to date not be achieved but the Navy has now authorised the Naval Heritage Trust (NHT) to preserved her on a convenient site and operate her as a permanent exhibit as part of the SA Naval Museum.

SAS Assegaai has been formally signed over to the Naval Heritage Trust (NHT) to preserve and operate as a museum of technology. On top of it all, they have been provided a site as well as buildings and facilities with public access form a Naval Museum Annex. This is ideally situated right next to the NSRI Base at Cole Point.

Full details on the project are contained in the brochure and prospectus on the above site or on request.
The first phase of the project starts 1st November 2022 and involves preparing the site and readying the submarine for the move as well as the construction of the foundations for mounting her. The next phase would be the move itself which is scheduled for January 2023.

The NHT has already started construction on site as well as clearing the rubble etc and should be ready to move the boat from the Dockyard to the new site in January. Damen has offered to do the metal work for the mounting frames as well as cutting work for access.

They urgently need funding through donations and sponsorship. A Thundafund campaign has been launched at https://thundafund.com/project/6716626611228922

Your support will be most appreciated.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Big day for the new SAS Assegaai submarine museum in Simon's Town today: Concrete was poured into the foundation!

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Been some time since the last update.

Assegaai Submarine Project

16 March 2023: Released by R Adm (Ret) Hanno Teuteberg, Chairman ASSEGAAI Submarine Museum Sub-Committee

The SA Navy Submarine Museum project continues to make progress as seen on several Facebook pages. For those of you not following, the Assegaai has been transferred to the SA Navy Museum and Naval Heritage Society has been given approval to run with the project of establishing a Submarine Museum on the Western edge of the Cole Point parking area.

The designated area has been cleared and the construction of foundations for the future exhibition was completed towards the end of 2022. These foundations will match the chocks to be welded onto the pressure hull. We are looking forward to taking ownership of the buildings on site to prepare for the shore exhibitions (periscope, sonar consoles, associated operations room equipment).

On the other side of the Dockyard much action has taken place to prepare the submarine for the future move. Dockyard has serviced the submarine cradle and we will now be able to move it on greased bearings. Damen Shipyard Cape Town (headed by an ex-submarine Captain) has been extremely helpful with their support in terms of the manufacture and delivery of the chock frame required for the move. Their apprentices have spent days welding the various frames and the vertical support struts together in the Dockyard Welding shop (the shop has probably not been that busy since the SAS TAFELBERG conversion!).

Next step was for the frames to be laid in position under the boat after which the transport Chocks could be aligned with the hull. Ready for final “scribbing” and welding to the hull. It must be emphasized that none of the designs and actual work could have taken place without the assistance and oversight of R Adm (JG) Kevin Watson – give that man a Bells!

Dockyard is currently getting rid of other vessels that will impede the submarine’s move to N3 from where it must then be moved to the exhibition site. This is progressing well. The next phase would be to move the submarine. Lifting and moving the submarine has been quoted (updated quote) at RM1,725. This is the critical phase as the repair of the boat’s exterior can then take place over time and using the expertise of our volunteers. We have been able to raise approximately 30% of the move fund required and will continue with our fund-raising efforts. What we desperately need is a corporate sponsor. Be aware that we will not abandon the project but may have to press the “Pause” button until such time that we have the funding for the move.

We will push on and will get the job done – with your assistance.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

So glad it’s making progress. Went to the museum when it was still open and it was such an amazing experience. Would love to visit again. And it ps important to preserve it before it’s totally lost.

Great to hear that progress is being made with the preservation of the sub!