WesWorld

THE NAVALIST
- South Africans Official Navy Newspaper -
12th February 1921

INDIAN OCEAN NAVAL SYMPOSIUM DELAYED

With the ratification of the South Africa India Naval Treaty both countries agreed to meet on a yearly basis. It was written down that the first such event should be hosted by South Africa. Thus preparations were taken in Durban to get the symposium started on the 21st of February. Now it seems as if the meeting will be delayed until May when the Raj will visit the South African Empire and meet our Royal Family. Being the first time the symposium takes place it is expected both the Raj and our King will hold a speech to honour our great nations’ good relations. It is yet not known how long the Raj will stay but rumours indicate his visit will last at least for 10 days. What we know for sure is that his journey back to India will be coupled with the first joint naval manoeuvres where both Indian and South African warships will participate.

Because of the manoeuvres, an escort group for the Indian battleship Dara Shikoh will be arriving in Durban in March to work up with their charge. The largest ship, the light cruiser Goa, will be carrying a liaison team that will work out inter-operability details with their South African counterparts. In addition, some RSAN units will be deployed to be “at hand” as a reliable source within the Navy High Command told us. The 2nd Division of the 1st Torpedoboat Flotilla with the four Bird-class TBs RSAN Sea Swallow, RSAN Vulture, RSAN Seagull and RSAN Albatross will leave Douala and sail to Majunga/Madagascar and the 2nd Division of the 2nd Torpedoboat Flotilla with the four Cat-class TBs RSAN Jaguar, RSAN Leopard, RSAN Puma and RSAN Cheetah will be stationed in Port Louis/Mauritius for some time.


NAVAL BUILDING PROGRAM 1921 IS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS

The naval building program for the year 1921 is making good progress. Until yesterday 2 light cruisers, four destroyers and three ocean going torpedoboats were laid down for the Royal South African Navy. By the end of the year no less than 4 new minesweepers, 6 ocean going torpedoboats, 4 destroyers and 4 light cruisers will be laid down while several old units will be modified to fit modern requirements. Furthermore a modified I-class submarine was laid down for India on the 10th of January. The boat is part of the contract between India and South Africa selling old battleship Queen Fallatia to India. With this building program the continuous technical development of our great navy will be assured. The RSAN will be kept ready on a very high level.