Comments for SAS President Kruger - The Sinking http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com The sinking, the inquest, and the experience - a tribute to 16 lives lost. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:41:15 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on The Sinking – Why this blog? by dennis bartlett http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/the-sinking/#comment-37 dennis bartlett Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:41:15 +0000 http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-37 Well now, Isak... look what this blog has done... aren't you glad we did this...? So how about we put the rest of that scrap book on, and get the Cape Argus to hi-res scan the news paper stuff...??? dennis Well now, Isak… look what this blog has done… aren’t you glad we did this…?

So how about we put the rest of that scrap book on, and get the Cape Argus to hi-res scan the news paper stuff…???

dennis

]]> Comment on The Sinking – Why this blog? by Genevieve Bow http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/the-sinking/#comment-36 Genevieve Bow Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:38:30 +0000 http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-36 To all who have contributed to this forum We are a Cape Town based production company who have been commissioned by kykNET to at last produce a project that has been very close to our hearts for some years. The theme of the 13 part series is South African disasters and we are beginning the series which goes on air in January with the sinking of the SAS President Kruger. This project is very close to our hearts and we are treating all the disasters with the utmost respect and dignity. We are currently speaking to the Navy as well as any one else with stories from that night. Our aim is not to lay blame, open old wounds or make anyone look bad, but rather to tell the story from the mouths of those who experienced it and were forever affected by it as well as those who are no longer here and cannot tell their story. If anyone on this forum would be interested in talking to us, being interviewed, has any articles, memorabilia, pictures or the like it would be greatly appreciated. I can be contacted on gen@plan-c.co.za To all who have contributed to this forum

We are a Cape Town based production company who have been commissioned by kykNET to at last produce a project that has been very close to our hearts for some years. The theme of the 13 part series is South African disasters and we are beginning the series which goes on air in January with the sinking of the SAS President Kruger. This project is very close to our hearts and we are treating all the disasters with the utmost respect and dignity. We are currently speaking to the Navy as well as any one else with stories from that night. Our aim is not to lay blame, open old wounds or make anyone look bad, but rather to tell the story from the mouths of those who experienced it and were forever affected by it as well as those who are no longer here and cannot tell their story. If anyone on this forum would be interested in talking to us, being interviewed, has any articles, memorabilia, pictures or the like it would be greatly appreciated. I can be contacted on gen@plan-c.co.za

]]> Comment on The Sinking – Why this blog? by vanessa http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/the-sinking/#comment-34 vanessa Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:19:41 +0000 http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-34 Hi Allan Hutty My name is Vanessa, my son was 5 months old at the time of the accident and was only 19 years old it was devastating. But I have learned to move on all though it felt like one will never heal. My husband was G.W. De Villiers. Sometimes it is still hard. If possiable could you send me some photos, the reason for not having any is, through moving all was lost. God bless you. Kindest regards Vanessa Hi Allan Hutty
My name is Vanessa, my son was 5 months old at the time of the accident and was only 19 years old it was devastating. But I have learned to move on all though it felt like one will never heal. My husband was G.W. De Villiers. Sometimes it is still hard.

If possiable could you send me some photos, the reason for not having any is, through moving all was lost. God bless you.

Kindest regards
Vanessa

]]> Comment on Why I’m interested! by vanessa http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/about/#comment-33 vanessa Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:44:21 +0000 #comment-33 I am one of the wives who lost there husband in this accident. My son was 5 months old at the time, he has turned 28 o the 8/9/2009. He went for the first time August 2009 to look at the wall of remembrance. Only to find that the plauqe was smashed. What was very upseting is when he said, mom we tried picking up pieces to see if we could even find my fathers intials, but there was nothing. I still feel there is much more to this accident than what we know. I am one of the wives who lost there husband in this accident. My son was 5 months old at the time, he has turned 28 o the 8/9/2009. He went for the first time August 2009 to look at the wall of remembrance. Only to find that the plauqe was smashed. What was very upseting is when he said, mom we tried picking up pieces to see if we could even find my fathers intials, but there was nothing. I still feel there is much more to this accident than what we know.

]]> Comment on The Sinking – Why this blog? by Pierre Massyn http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/the-sinking/#comment-31 Pierre Massyn Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:04:50 +0000 http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-31 I was conscripted from Windhoek, South West Africa (now Namibia) to Simonstown to start my National Service in in the Navy, in January 1972. My Service number is 69 22 57 46. I spent the last six months of 1972 on the PK as a chef, although my main tasks were devoted to washing dishes and peeling potatoes! The head chef was WO second class Bender who ran a tight ship. There was a Cief Chef called "Pa" and a PO Chef called PO Botes; also an able Chef Steve Dickens. Us three "CF" chefs were Joe Bornman from Kimberley, Zacharias le Roux from Port Elizabeth and myself. The GI was GI Bosse, a very engaging person but a strickler for hair being kept accoding to Navy regulations. I think our captain was Captain Green, who, I think, succeeded captain MacNorton (?). I took my last leave from the PK on 14 Dec. 1972. Then in February 1982 I did a camp in Walvisbaai and while there, the news came through that the PK sank. Us PK old boys were shocked and saddened by the news. In 2009 I chanced to meet the owner of the Norvalspont Hotel, Rod Mann. Interested in sailing, he told me he was working on a project boat he recently aquired. IT TURNED OUT IT WAS THE PK'S LIFEBOAT, A WHALER CUTTER, WHICH SURVIVED THE DISASTER. IT WAS PROBABLY THE SAME BOAT YOU CLUNG ONTO. Captain Bligh did his epic open boat voyage with 6 " freeboard on an identical boat after he lost his ship the Bounty, to mutineers led by Fletcher Christian. My tel no is 00 33 562 700 168. I have a home in France but am planning to reurn to SA in Dec. this year I was conscripted from Windhoek, South West Africa (now Namibia) to Simonstown to start my National Service in in the Navy, in January 1972. My Service number is 69 22 57 46. I spent the last six months of 1972 on the PK as a chef, although my main tasks were devoted to washing dishes and peeling potatoes! The head chef was WO second class Bender who ran a tight ship. There was a Cief Chef called “Pa” and a PO Chef called PO Botes; also an able Chef Steve Dickens. Us three “CF” chefs were Joe Bornman from Kimberley, Zacharias le Roux from Port Elizabeth and myself. The GI was GI Bosse, a very engaging person but a strickler for hair being kept accoding to Navy regulations. I think our captain was Captain Green, who, I think, succeeded captain MacNorton (?). I took my last leave from the PK on 14 Dec. 1972. Then in February 1982 I did a camp in Walvisbaai and while there, the news came through that the PK sank. Us PK old boys were shocked and saddened by the news. In 2009 I chanced to meet the owner of the Norvalspont Hotel, Rod Mann. Interested in sailing, he told me he was working on a project boat he recently aquired. IT TURNED OUT IT WAS THE PK’S LIFEBOAT, A WHALER CUTTER, WHICH SURVIVED THE DISASTER. IT WAS PROBABLY THE SAME BOAT YOU CLUNG ONTO. Captain Bligh did his epic open boat voyage with 6 ” freeboard on an identical boat after he lost his ship the Bounty, to mutineers led by Fletcher Christian. My tel no is 00 33 562 700 168. I have a home in France but am planning to reurn to SA in Dec. this year

]]> Comment on The Sinking – Why this blog? by Melt de Kock http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/the-sinking/#comment-30 Melt de Kock Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:58:17 +0000 http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-30 THE LAST VOYAGE One daybreak the dignified grey lady set sail Proud and with many promised tomorrows of hope. The water was mirror quiet of calmness While the fresh breeze tickles her hair. The sunset for the last time for the lady as the night gleams with cold hopes. The clouds crowded around the horizon filled with furious howling winds. Unaware of danger lifting it's hand. They slept in the warmth of the lady. The storm begins curling her up in fear. The waves are furiously bigger with each breath. From no where a penetrating cracking sound tear through her feminine body. Fear and horror cries filled the dark. Then she disappeared into her deep dark grave. Today she's still wandering the seabed With emptiness and horror I'm longing for her. I was also one time part of the lady and now the lovely graceful lady will never return. Melt de Kock22/7/84 # A tribute to the SAS PRESIDENT KRUGER which sank in the early morning of 18 Feb '82 and lost 16 men. I knew 13 of the 16 lost in the tragedy. I served on her from Aug '80 until Aug '81. THE LAST VOYAGE

One daybreak the dignified grey lady set sail
Proud and with many promised tomorrows of hope.
The water was mirror quiet of calmness
While the fresh breeze tickles her hair.

The sunset for the last time for the lady
as the night gleams with cold hopes.
The clouds crowded around the horizon
filled with furious howling winds.

Unaware of danger lifting it’s hand.
They slept in the warmth of the lady.
The storm begins curling her up in fear.
The waves are furiously bigger with each breath.

From no where a penetrating cracking sound
tear through her feminine body.
Fear and horror cries filled the dark.
Then she disappeared into her deep dark grave.

Today she’s still wandering the seabed
With emptiness and horror I’m longing for her.
I was also one time part of the lady
and now the lovely graceful lady will never return.

Melt de Kock22/7/84

# A tribute to the SAS PRESIDENT KRUGER which sank in the early morning of 18 Feb ‘82
and lost 16 men. I knew 13 of the 16 lost in the tragedy. I served on her from Aug ‘80 until Aug ‘81.

]]> Comment on Why I’m interested! by Wynne fourie http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/about/#comment-29 Wynne fourie Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:31:36 +0000 #comment-29 Wo Geoff Neil I had no idea you are still going how the devil are you and what are you doing with your self these days. Are you in contact with any of the other comms rates or EW people from the PK Wo Geoff Neil I had no idea you are still going how the devil are you and what are you doing with your self these days. Are you in contact with any of the other comms rates or EW people from the PK

]]> Comment on Why I’m interested! by Wynne fourie http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/about/#comment-28 Wynne fourie Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:29:15 +0000 #comment-28 I was woken up in the comms mess with the impact and was tossed out of my hammock. I recall the awful noise and thought we had hit the submarine. If my memory servers me correctly I do believe I heard the action station alarm sound so I ran up to the EW office which had two of my crew mates sleeping in there at the time. I banged on the door for them to open up. Joe alexander and Fin Straugh were in the office at the time. What I found really weird was Fin was picking up his chess set and packing it away and joe was just looking around the office which was in a shambles. All our equipment was on the floor and the FH5 had ripped out the bulkhead and fallen on the floor. all Jo could say was " We are in the kak for captains rounds today". At this time I was still not sure what had happened. I saw a lot of the crew running up from below coming up the stairs in the captains flat and where ever they put their hands they left ffo on the bulkheads which I had cleaned the night before for captains rounds. I freaked out and shouted at them to clean up their mess. Of course no one gave a shit about what I was saying. all the while the noise was deafening. It then dawned on me to go on to the port waste and have a look what was happening. when I opened the Watertight door leading on to the port waste I saw Taffies right next to us but travelling in the opposite direction. the tought crossed my mind that I could just jump over the guard rails. Some of the Taffies crew were standing on deck staring at the pk with really blank expressions on their faces. I still had no idea what had happened. It was only when I looked aft that I saw and understood the trouble we were in. I ran in side and told Fin and Jo to get their lifejackets and I ran down to the mess to get mine. I had not yet even got dressed yet I was still in my underwear. I dashed down to the mess got a shirt my life jacket and my brand new non-skid shoes. ran back on deck. By this time the water was coming up the main alleyway by the galley and the ship was listing heavily. I climbed the stairway to the bridge which was quite difficult I was woken up in the comms mess with the impact and was tossed out of my hammock. I recall the awful noise and thought we had hit the submarine. If my memory servers me correctly I do believe I heard the action station alarm sound so I ran up to the EW office which had two of my crew mates sleeping in there at the time. I banged on the door for them to open up. Joe alexander and Fin Straugh were in the office at the time. What I found really weird was Fin was picking up his chess set and packing it away and joe was just looking around the office which was in a shambles. All our equipment was on the floor and the FH5 had ripped out the bulkhead and fallen on the floor. all Jo could say was ” We are in the kak for captains rounds today”. At this time I was still not sure what had happened. I saw a lot of the crew running up from below coming up the stairs in the captains flat and where ever they put their hands they left ffo on the bulkheads which I had cleaned the night before for captains rounds. I freaked out and shouted at them to clean up their mess. Of course no one gave a shit about what I was saying. all the while the noise was deafening. It then dawned on me to go on to the port waste and have a look what was happening. when I opened the Watertight door leading on to the port waste I saw Taffies right next to us but travelling in the opposite direction. the tought crossed my mind that I could just jump over the guard rails. Some of the Taffies crew were standing on deck staring at the pk with really blank expressions on their faces. I still had no idea what had happened. It was only when I looked aft that I saw and understood the trouble we were in. I ran in side and told Fin and Jo to get their lifejackets and I ran down to the mess to get mine. I had not yet even got dressed yet I was still in my underwear. I dashed down to the mess got a shirt my life jacket and my brand new non-skid shoes. ran back on deck. By this time the water was coming up the main alleyway by the galley and the ship was listing heavily. I climbed the stairway to the bridge which was quite difficult

]]> Comment on The Sinking – Why this blog? by Wynne fourie http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/the-sinking/#comment-27 Wynne fourie Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:10:23 +0000 http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-27 Hay Danie I was on board with your dad Hay Danie I was on board with your dad

]]> Comment on The Sinking – Why this blog? by Wynne fourie http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/the-sinking/#comment-26 Wynne fourie Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:05:13 +0000 http://saspresidentkruger.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-26 Hi Alan I for one would be very interested in seeing the pictures you say you have the only ones I have are of the taffies in dry dock after the collision having her bow repaired. Hi Alan I for one would be very interested in seeing the pictures you say you have the only ones I have are of the taffies in dry dock after the collision having her bow repaired.

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