The Dutch East India Company established Simon's Town in 1743, and the Royal Navy took it over in the 1790s. Its graving dock remained important through both world wars and continues to support the South African Navy. At roughly 240 metres long and 29 metres wide, the dock could accept many large warships even though HMS Hood was still about 30 metres too long. Simon's Town shows how a well-placed facility can remain strategically useful through changes of government, navy, and ship generation.
Chapter · 37:47-39:45
Simon's Town remains useful across three navies
A Dutch East India Company base taken over by the Royal Navy retained a large graving dock that still supports South Africa's navy.