The Simonstown Agreement [sic] was a naval cooperation agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the (then-officially) Union of South Africa signed 30 June 1955. Under the agreement, the Royal Navy (RN) gave up its naval base at Simon's Town, South Africa, and transferred command of the South African Navy (SAN) to the government of South Africa. In return, South Africa promised the use of the Simonstown base to Royal Navy ships. The agreement also permitted South Africa to buy six anti-submarine frigates, ten coastal minesweepers and four seaward defence boats from the UK valued at £18 million over the next eight years.
Simon's Town Harbour in 2006
Naval Base Simon's Town is the South African Navy's largest naval base, situated at Simon's Town, near Cape Town. The base provides support functions to Fleet Command.
A view of Simon's Town and the naval base
Site of the 18th-century dockyard.
Mast House & Sail Loft, West Yard, 1815.
Main Factory, East Yard, completed 1910.