The Selborne Graving Dock is a dry dock in Simon's Town, South Africa. It is situated within the Naval Base Simon's Town. It is named for William Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne, the High Commissioner for Southern Africa at the time of construction.

Selborne Graving Dock
Selborne Graving Dock is located in Cape Town
Selborne Graving Dock
Location within Cape Town
General information
TypeDry dock
Architectural styleGraving
LocationNaval Base Simon's Town, Simon's Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Coordinates34°11′31″S 18°26′24″E / 34.19194°S 18.44000°E / -34.19194; 18.44000 (Selborne Graving Dock)
Construction started15 November 1906; 117 years ago (1906-11-15)
Inaugurated3 November 1910; 113 years ago (1910-11-03)
ClientBritish Admiralty
OwnerDepartment of Defence (South Africa)
Design and construction
Main contractorSir John Jackson Ltd

History

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On 27 July 1900[1] a tender for the construction of a yard was awarded to Sir John Jackson Ltd. The construction used Portland cement from England, as well as granite blocks from Norway. The foundation stone was laid on 15 November 1906 (1906-November-15), and the dry dock was opened on 3 November 1910; 113 years ago (1910-11-03),[1] by the Duke of Connaught.[2]

The Dockyard (including the dry dock) was handed to South Africa in 1957,[1][3] as part of the Simonstown Agreement.

Images

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Naval Dockyard celebrates centenary". defenceWeb.co.za. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  2. ^ "Opening of Selborne Graving Dock". Wanganui Chronicle. Vol. L, no. 12652. 4 November 1910. p. 5. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  3. ^ Robson, Linda Gillian (2011). The Royal Engineers and settlement planning in the Cape Colony 1806–1872: Approach, methodology and impact (PhD thesis). Pretoria: University of Pretoria. p. 109. hdl:2263/26503.