Mooring Lighter

General

Object Auto ID

17666

Alternate Codes

objectautoid_sahrisv1_23204

Common Name

Ship

Classified Name

SHIP

WATER TRANSPORTATION -- EQUIPMENT

Local Name

Mooring Lighter

Quantity

1.00

Object Description

The Mooring Lighter of the South African Navy in Simon's Town, also known as Yard Craft 221 is the oldest vessel afloat in South African waters and probably the oldest non-passenger carrying vessel in the world still performing the function that she was designed for. Lighter No 14 was officially launched for service with the King's Harbour Master's Department in Simon's Town on 19 February 1902. The lighter was used in the harbour and surrounding area to lift and lay moorings and salvage lighters and other small craft which had sunk for various reasons. Moorring Lighter No 14 became Yard Craft 221 and served throughout the two world wars, during which she provided safe moorings for many famous ships. The SA Navy will decommission the vessel in 2015 and the intention is to place the Mooring Lighter ashore as an exhibit of the SA Naval Museum.

Owner

South African Navy

Description

Material Types

Iron

Technique Types

Casting

Colours

Black & Grey

Distinguishing Features

In 1898 the British Admiralty issued specifications for the construction of a pair of non-propelled mooring lighters, to be built in steel. One was to repair the old wooden mooring vessel Swift at the Cape of Good Hope. Components for teh Cape of Good Hope lighter (No 14) was identified and packed, delivered to the Royal Victoria Victualling Yard at Deptford for shipment to Simon's Town.A single bow-horn was fitted for the laying and recovery of buoys and mooring cables or for the salvage of small wrecks. Provision was made for a forged steel rudder and tiller to be shipped for coastal passages under tow. A feature of the after deck was a canvas screen on a wrought-iron frame, surrounding the deck-edge 'head'. Deck machinary comprised a steam-powered winch and a pair of steam capstans. These provided power for lifting buoys and other loads using the bow horn and also the lifting loads of up to six tons using the wooden derrick.The hold, the capstan machinery, the boiler room and coal bunker and the crew mess took up the space below deck.

Inscriptions

Mooring Lighter

Measurement Type	Unit	Value

History

Object Age

1902 to 2015

Object Age Comment

Cultural Association

Oldest vessel afloat in South African waters

Maker

Royal Navy

Maker Comment

Components manufactured in the United Kingdom. Shipped to South Africa and assembled in Simon's Town. Certainly the first steel vessel built in South Africa.
Launched for service on 19 February 1902.

Production Place

Simon's Town

User Comment

The SA Navy will decommission the vessel in 2015 and the intention is to place the Mooring Lighter ashore as an exhibit of the SA Naval Museum.

Place of Use

Naval Base Simon's Town

Date of Use