Historic African Vessels

SAS President Steyn was a South African President-class frigate (Type 12) launched in 1961 and commissioned in 1963. She served mainly in training and SAS President Steyn was a South African President-class frigate (Type 12) launched in 1961 and commissioned in 1963. She served mainly in training and diplomatic missions, including in the Angolan Civil War in the mid-1970s. The frigate was decommissioned in 1980 and later sunk as a target in 1991. Learn more

SAS Jan van Riebeeck was a frigate owned and operated by the South African Navy. Launched in 1964, it served as a key naval asset during the apartheid SAS Jan van Riebeeck was a frigate owned and operated by the South African Navy. Launched in 1964, it served as a key naval asset during the apartheid era, patrolling South African waters and representing the country's maritime defense capabilities. Learn more

SAS Makhanda is a Valour-class frigate owned and operated by the South African Navy. Commissioned in 2004, it serves as a key surface combatant protec SAS Makhanda is a Valour-class frigate owned and operated by the South African Navy. Commissioned in 2004, it serves as a key surface combatant protecting South African maritime interests in the South Atlantic Ocean and surrounding waters. Learn more

The SAS President Kruger was a South African Navy light cruiser launched in 1929 and sunk in 1942 during World War II. It was the flagship of the Sout The SAS President Kruger was a South African Navy light cruiser launched in 1929 and sunk in 1942 during World War II. It was the flagship of the South African Navy and played a significant role in patrolling the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans during the war. Learn more

HMSAS Protea was a South African naval survey vessel launched in 1941, serving primarily as a hydrographic survey ship and naval training vessel. It p HMSAS Protea was a South African naval survey vessel launched in 1941, serving primarily as a hydrographic survey ship and naval training vessel. It played a key role in mapping South African coastal waters during and after WWII and is preserved as a museum ship today. Learn more

TS General Botha was a South African naval cadet training ship (originally the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Thames, launched 1885). She served as a stationa TS General Botha was a South African naval cadet training ship (originally the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Thames, launched 1885). She served as a stationary training vessel at Simon’s Bay near Cape Town starting in 1922, training over 1,200 cadets over two decades. Following World War II she was deemed beyond repair and was scuttled as a wreck in False Bay in 1947. Learn more

SAS Simon van der Stel was a South African Navy warship named after a 17th-century colonial governor. Originally launched in 1943 as the British W-cla SAS Simon van der Stel was a South African Navy warship named after a 17th-century colonial governor. Originally launched in 1943 as the British W-class destroyer HMS Whelp, she served in the Pacific during World War II and was present at Japan’s surrender. In 1953 she was sold to South Africa and renamed SAS Simon van der Stel. Converted to an anti-submarine frigate in the early 1960s, she served as a training and helicopter-carrying ship, and was decommissioned in 1972 and scrapped in 1976. Learn more

SAS Assegaai (S99) was a Daphné-class submarine of the South African Navy, launched in 1970 and commissioned in 1971. Originally named SAS Johanna van SAS Assegaai (S99) was a Daphné-class submarine of the South African Navy, launched in 1970 and commissioned in 1971. Originally named SAS Johanna van der Merwe, it served until being decommissioned in 2003. It is now preserved as a museum ship in Simon’s Town, and is the only one of its class retained for exhibition. Learn more