HMSAS Sud Afrika (BC-1936)
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Based on the Lillicrap designs of 1930-32, the Southern African Navy enlarged the plans to suit their requirements. This was the first capital ship built by the fledgling Simonstown building yards and while being based on a Royal Navy design, the final ship had its own Southern African style. The 12" guns were the powerful new weapons designed for the Lillicrap BC's and proved excellent weapons in service.
The ship was always destined to be flagship of the South African cruiser forces and its name reflected the pride of a nation. Due to act with cruisers at up to 32 knots, the maximum speed of the ship was set at 32 knots also. Based at Simonstown the ship joined with other arriving units to deal with the South American problems set by Argentina. Carrying a Rear Admiral the ship was 3rd in command of the combined fleet, but was commander of the battle squadron ships. The Africa, Transvaal and the three Chilean and Brazilian ships led the chase after the two Germanic battleraiders that escaped after the sinking of the Argentinian aircraft carrier and the destruction of the Argentinian battlefleet.
The two Germanic States ships received repeated damage from bomb hits but the Allied aircraft were unable to achieve a critical hit. The Allied battle fleet finally caught up with the Germanic States ships and while it was 5 to 2 the Allied ships had 15" down to 12" wile the Germanic States ships had 13.8" (or 12") on their two ships. The flagship received heavy damage and barely made it back to Simonstown on one engine and a boiler under tow from a heavy cruiser until tugs from Simonstown reached the ship. The Rear Admiral in command received a posthumous Victoria Cross for his leadership during the action. (See Battle of Tristan da Cunha)
| Displacement | 26,000 tons std, 32,500 tons full load |
| Length | 697 ft |
| Breadth | 88 ft |
| Draught | 27 ft |
| Machinery | 4 shaft geared turbines, 130,000shp |
| Speed | 32 knots |
| Range | 8,500 miles at 14 knots, 3,000 miles at 28 knots |
| Armour | 10" side, 5" deck, 9" turrets |
| Armament | 8 x 12" (4x2) 12 x 4.7" DP (6x2) 24 x 2pd (6x4) 16 x 20mm (16x1) |
| Aircraft | 3 |
| Torpedoes | nil |
| Complement | 1200 |
| Notes |
The Walrus from the Sud Afrika proved decisive in the Battle of Tristan Da Cunha as the
Allied aircraft had shot up the Germanic States ships shipborne aircraft which
allowed the Walrus to act as spotters for the Allied ships.
Using the same hull I did a heavy cruiser (CB) with 12x9.2".