Simon’s Town Dockyard

In 1743, the Dutch East India Company established a small dockyard facility in Simon’s Town where ships were safer in the winter months. In the 1790s, the British Royal Navy took over and development continued over the next 150 years.

By the mid-19th century, steam engineering and coaling facilities were added. In 1885, the Cape Colony government transferred the assets of the Simon’s Bay Dock and Patent Slip Company to the British Admiralty. However, by the end of the century, it became clear that more space was needed for the modern navy’s growing demands.

In 1898, an extension of the dockyard began. Sir John Jackson and Co. Ltd. wwere appointed for the project. Construction started in 1900, resulting in a new 11-hectare harbour with a 914-meter breakwater. The development included a 240-meter long, 29-meter wide drydock and a steam factory. This drydock was named ‘Selborne Graving Dock’ after the Earl of Selborne and was completed in 1910.

1957 under the Simon’s Town Agreement, the naval base was handed over to the South African Navy. The dockyard was expanded again in 1975, with land reclamation and extensions to form a new tidal basin.

Other Buildings at the Dockyard

In the 1740s, the Dutch East India Company built a pair of stone storehouses at the original shipyard site.

The oldest Royal Naval building is a Mast-House, Boathouse, and Sail Loft, built in 1815, and now serving as the SA Naval Museum.

A lighthouse at the dockyard was commissioned on November 3, 1910, though it is not open to the public.

Additionally, the circular Martello Tower, constructed in 1796 by the order of James Craig, was built to enhance Simon’s Town’s defence system.