THE VALOUR CLASS
South Africa has purchased four MEKO A-200 Patrol Corvettes from Germany. The first three are in South Africa already; they are the
SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana and SAS Spioenkop. While some of the names commemorate famous battles in South African history, the symbolism is not in the battles themselves nor the victors in these battles. The ships' names honour the tremendous valour shown by the combatants - both the victors and the defeated. The corvettes are therefore known as the
Valour Class.
SS MENDI
The SS Mendi, a troopship, sailed from Cape Town on 16 January 1917 en route to La Havre in France. She carried the last contingent of the South African Native Labour Corps (SANLC), comprising 805 black privates, 5 white officers, 17 non-commissioned officers and a crew of 33.
On the morning of 21 February 1917 in heavy fog the SS Darro (10 000 tons), travelling at full speed and emitting no warning, rammed the
SS Mendi (4 230 tons). The SS Mendi sank within 20 minutes. Many stories of bravery are told about the bravery of the men who went down with the ship. Of the 805 black troops 607 lost their lives along with 9 of their fellow white countrymen and all 33 crewmen.
(Click
here to read more about the sinking of the SS Mendi.)
ALL PACKED UP AND READY TO GO!
Loading victuals
It is Thursday 18 August 2004, two days before the SAS Mendi depart for her journey home to beautiful and sunny South Africa. The ship, built in Kiel (Germany) has successfully completed its sea trials and inspections with flying
colours.
On board the SAS Mendi, everything is being geared up for the journey home. The entire ship's company assisted in loading the final victuals for the trip. The rest of the day the crew did the final checks and prepared for an informal function in the evening to thank and say farewell to relevant role players.
KIEL
Kiel is a city in northern central Germany, a port on the arm of the Baltic Sea, in Schleswig-Holstein, at the eastern entrance of the Nord-Ostsee (or Kiel) Canal. The city has been a major port since the 10th century. Kiel makes an excellent port, because the harbour is in a tideless fjord. Aside from fishing, shipbuilding and naval maintenance, the main industries are the manufacture of soap, food products, machinery and woollen goods.
SAS MENDI alongside in Kiel