S A NAVAL MUSEUM - SIMON'S TOWN
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The South African Naval Museum was established in 1965 and in
1993 it moved into the old Mast House and Sail Loft in West yard
Simon's Town. This building was erected by the Royal Navy in 1815
and was designed to cope with sails and masts of 120 feet in length.
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The Mast House and Sail Loft
| At various times the sail loft was used as a chapel - the earliest recorded use being in 1819. In 1935 after the quarterdeck awning for HMS Dorsetshire was repaired there, the sail loft was converted permanently into a chapel - St George's church - and is still in use as such today. With its laid up ensigns, murals, roll of honour, etc. it forms an integral part of the SA Naval Museum. |
Part of the walls of the chapel.
The entrance to the museum is guarded by these figureheads.
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The exhibits are rich and diversified - and unfortunately peculiarly difficult to photograph with any measure of success due to the premium on space and the closeness of the exhibits to each other. However I've tried to show some of the exhibits as best I could - a small sample of what is on display. Please visit the museum should you ever be in the Cape Town area - it is really well worth it!
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EXHIBITS
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Contact Numbers for the SA Naval Museum:
Phone: +27+21+7874635 |