SAS Tafelberg: Difference between revisions
Farawayman (talk | contribs) previous name -> added MT as prefix |
date format audit, minor formatting |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} |
||
{{Use South African English|date=August 2012}} |
{{Use South African English|date=August 2012}} |
||
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} |
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} |
||
| Line 89: | Line 89: | ||
|} |
|} |
||
'''SAS ''Tafelberg''''' was a [[replenishment oiler|replenishment ship]] (AOR) of the [[South African Navy]]. |
'''SAS ''Tafelberg''''' was a [[replenishment oiler|replenishment ship]] (AOR) of the [[South African Navy]]. The ship started life as the Danish [[tanker (ship)|tanker]] '''''Annam''''' before undergoing various conversions into her final configuration. |
||
==Early history== |
==Early history== |
||
SAS ''Tafelberg'' started life in 1958 as the Danish tanker ''Annam''<ref name="DuToit">{{cite book | title=South Africa's Fighting Ships Past and Present | publisher=Ashanti Publishing | author=Du Toit, A | authorlink=Allan du Toit | year=1992 | isbn=1-874800-50-2}}</ref>{{rp|244}} in the service of the [[East Asiatic Company]] in [[Copenhagen]]. |
SAS ''Tafelberg'' started life in 1958 as the Danish tanker ''Annam''<ref name="DuToit">{{cite book | title=South Africa's Fighting Ships Past and Present | publisher=Ashanti Publishing | author=Du Toit, A | authorlink=Allan du Toit | year=1992 | isbn=1-874800-50-2}}</ref>{{rp|244}} in the service of the [[East Asiatic Company]] in [[Copenhagen]]. She was one of four similar ships commissioned at the time, and was named by the local [[Thailand|Thai]] ambassador's daughter Vasna Virajakar. [[BP Shipping]] leased her for five years. |
||
==South African Navy== |
==South African Navy== |
||
She was purchased in 1965 by [[Safmarine]] before being reconfigured in Durban as the [[Replenishment oiler|replenishment ship]] SAS ''Tafelberg'' and sold to the [[South African Navy]] (SAN).<ref name="SAN">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil.za/aboutus/history/index.htm|title=History of the SA Navy|publisher=[[South African Navy]]|date=22 November 2007|accessdate=2008-06-22}}</ref> |
She was purchased in 1965 by [[Safmarine]] before being reconfigured in Durban as the [[Replenishment oiler|replenishment ship]] SAS ''Tafelberg'' and sold to the [[South African Navy]] (SAN).<ref name="SAN">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil.za/aboutus/history/index.htm|title=History of the SA Navy|publisher=[[South African Navy]]|date=22 November 2007|accessdate=2008-06-22}}</ref> At this time, she had five refuelling points, one astern and two solid stores transfer stations. |
||
In 1967, in the company of {{SAS|President Kruger|F150|6}} and {{SAS|President Pretorius}}, she visited [[Argentina]], while in 1968 she visited Australia along with {{SAS|President Steyn}} and ''President Pretorius''.<ref name="Wessels"/> |
In 1967, in the company of {{SAS|President Kruger|F150|6}} and {{SAS|President Pretorius}}, she visited [[Argentina]], while in 1968 she visited Australia along with {{SAS|President Steyn}} and ''President Pretorius''.<ref name="Wessels"/> |
||
| Line 109: | Line 109: | ||
In 1983–1984, ''Tafelberg'' underwent significant changes. The rear refuelling points were removed and an additional landing deck with two hangars was fitted aft. The vessel was configured to carry two [[Aérospatiale Puma|Puma]] or [[Atlas Oryx]] helicopters, although the larger [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] helicopter was also used until they were removed from service. Helicopter operations were particularly risky, for these helicopters, not being designed for marine use, were unable to apply negative [[Blade pitch|pitch]] to their [[helicopter rotor|main rotors]], therefore making them vulnerable to rolling off the flight deck in heavy seas. |
In 1983–1984, ''Tafelberg'' underwent significant changes. The rear refuelling points were removed and an additional landing deck with two hangars was fitted aft. The vessel was configured to carry two [[Aérospatiale Puma|Puma]] or [[Atlas Oryx]] helicopters, although the larger [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] helicopter was also used until they were removed from service. Helicopter operations were particularly risky, for these helicopters, not being designed for marine use, were unable to apply negative [[Blade pitch|pitch]] to their [[helicopter rotor|main rotors]], therefore making them vulnerable to rolling off the flight deck in heavy seas. |
||
The 1983 changes also included accommodation and [[mess]]ing facilities for 300 marines under the flight deck, a hospital and [[davit]]s for six Delta fast [[landing craft]].<ref name="Wessels">{{cite journal|url=http://search.sabinet.co.za/images/ejour/contemp/contemp_v31_n3_a15.pdf|title=The South African Navy During The Years of Conflict In Southern Africa, 1966–1989|date=20 April 2007|first1=Andre|last1=Wessels|accessdate=2008-05-12|publisher= Sabinet Online Ltd}}</ref> |
The 1983 changes also included accommodation and [[mess]]ing facilities for 300 marines under the flight deck, a hospital and [[davit]]s for six Delta fast [[landing craft]].<ref name="Wessels">{{cite journal|url=http://search.sabinet.co.za/images/ejour/contemp/contemp_v31_n3_a15.pdf|title=The South African Navy During The Years of Conflict In Southern Africa, 1966–1989|date=20 April 2007|first1=Andre|last1=Wessels|accessdate=2008-05-12|publisher= Sabinet Online Ltd}}</ref> Each of these craft was able to carry and put ashore a short wheel-base [[Land Rover]] and an infantry section with all equipment. |
||
In 1987, she went to [[Mauritius]] along with the [[Warrior-class strike craft]] {{SAS|Jim Fouche}} to assist in the recovery of debris and bodies following the [[South African Airways Flight 295|crash of the ''Helderberg'']] [[Boeing 747]]. |
In 1987, she went to [[Mauritius]] along with the [[Warrior-class strike craft]] {{SAS|Jim Fouche}} to assist in the recovery of debris and bodies following the [[South African Airways Flight 295|crash of the ''Helderberg'']] [[Boeing 747]]. |
||
She participated in numerous exercises and operations during her lifespan, |
She participated in numerous exercises and operations during her lifespan, earning her the affectionate nickname "''Mama Tafies''" ([[Afrikaans]] for "Mother Tafies") on her maiden voyage from Durban to Simonstown. |
||
SAS ''Tafelberg'' was sold for scrap in 1993. {{SAS|Outeniqua}}, and later {{SAS|Drakensberg|A301|6}}, took over her role in the fleet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil.za/aboutus/history/index.htm|title=History of the SA Navy|publisher=[[South African Navy]]}}</ref> |
SAS ''Tafelberg'' was sold for scrap in 1993. {{SAS|Outeniqua}}, and later {{SAS|Drakensberg|A301|6}}, took over her role in the fleet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil.za/aboutus/history/index.htm|title=History of the SA Navy|publisher=[[South African Navy]]}}</ref> |
||
Latest revision as of 00:51, 16 December 2023
| History | |
|---|---|
 Denmark | |
| Name | MT Annam |
| Builder | Nakskov Skibsværft, Nakskov, Denmark |
| Yard number | 150 |
| Launched | 20 June 1958 |
| Homeport | Copenhagen |
| Fate | Sold to Safmarine in 1965 |
  South Africa | |
| Renamed | SAS Tafelberg (1965) |
| Namesake | Table Mountain |
| Operator | South African Navy |
| Builder | Dockyard, Durban |
| Commissioned | 19 August 1967[1] |
| Decommissioned | 1993 |
| Reclassified |
|
| Homeport | Simonstown |
| Nickname(s) | 'Mama Tafies' or 'Tafies' |
| Fate | Scrapped in 1993 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 18,980 tons |
| Length | 170.5 m (559 ft 5 in) |
| Beam | 21.9 m (71 ft 10 in) |
| Draught | 8.3 m (27 ft 3 in) |
| Propulsion | 10,000 hp (7,500 kW) 8-cylinder turbo-charged diesel |
| Speed | 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 6 Delta fast assault craft |
| Complement | 9 officers and 118 ratings |
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 2 × Atlas Oryx helicopters |
SAS Tafelberg was a replenishment ship (AOR) of the South African Navy. The ship started life as the Danish tanker Annam before undergoing various conversions into her final configuration.
Early history
[edit]SAS Tafelberg started life in 1958 as the Danish tanker Annam[2]: 244 in the service of the East Asiatic Company in Copenhagen. She was one of four similar ships commissioned at the time, and was named by the local Thai ambassador's daughter Vasna Virajakar. BP Shipping leased her for five years.
South African Navy
[edit]She was purchased in 1965 by Safmarine before being reconfigured in Durban as the replenishment ship SAS Tafelberg and sold to the South African Navy (SAN).[3] At this time, she had five refuelling points, one astern and two solid stores transfer stations.
In 1967, in the company of SAS President Kruger and SAS President Pretorius, she visited Argentina, while in 1968 she visited Australia along with SAS President Steyn and President Pretorius.[1]
In 1971 Tafelberg acted as official guardship for the Cape-to-Rio yacht race. Because of apartheid South Africa's political isolation at the time, the ship could not enter Rio de Janeiro and instead travelled up the River Plate to Buenos Aires.
In November 1975 at the end of Operation Savannah, she provided logistical support to President Kruger and President Steyn during the Ambrizete Incident, and also subsequently went to Zaire to retrieve the guns that the army left behind in Angola.
In 1980, Tafelberg had a small flight deck that was fitted to the stern of the ship behind the funnel deck for use of the Wasp helicopter, but had no hangar or refueling points and was used solely for transporting persons from Tafelberg to the frigates and vice versa
Tafelberg was involved in a collision in the South Atlantic with the frigate SAS President Kruger on 18 February 1982, during which President Kruger sank with the loss of 16 lives.[4]
In 1983–1984, Tafelberg underwent significant changes. The rear refuelling points were removed and an additional landing deck with two hangars was fitted aft. The vessel was configured to carry two Puma or Atlas Oryx helicopters, although the larger Super Frelon helicopter was also used until they were removed from service. Helicopter operations were particularly risky, for these helicopters, not being designed for marine use, were unable to apply negative pitch to their main rotors, therefore making them vulnerable to rolling off the flight deck in heavy seas.
The 1983 changes also included accommodation and messing facilities for 300 marines under the flight deck, a hospital and davits for six Delta fast landing craft.[1] Each of these craft was able to carry and put ashore a short wheel-base Land Rover and an infantry section with all equipment.
In 1987, she went to Mauritius along with the Warrior-class strike craft SAS Jim Fouche to assist in the recovery of debris and bodies following the crash of the Helderberg Boeing 747.
She participated in numerous exercises and operations during her lifespan, earning her the affectionate nickname "Mama Tafies" (Afrikaans for "Mother Tafies") on her maiden voyage from Durban to Simonstown.
SAS Tafelberg was sold for scrap in 1993. SAS Outeniqua, and later SAS Drakensberg, took over her role in the fleet.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Wessels, Andre (20 April 2007). "The South African Navy During The Years of Conflict In Southern Africa, 1966–1989" (PDF). Sabinet Online Ltd. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Du Toit, A (1992). South Africa's Fighting Ships Past and Present. Ashanti Publishing. ISBN 1-874800-50-2.
- ^ "History of the SA Navy". South African Navy. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2008.
- ^ Bennett, Rear Admiral Chris (June 2006). Three Frigates – The South African Navy comes of Age. Just Done Productions Publishing. ISBN 1-920169-02-4.
- ^ "History of the SA Navy". South African Navy.