Wreck of SAS Transvaal
Shipwreck site
- Position
- About 33.3° S, 18.4° E (within about 10 km)
- Sank
- —
- Cause
- —
- Depth
- —
Protection status
Location generalised to protect a war grave
The position shown is generalised to within about 10 km. The exact position is not published.
A military vessel lost in war, by enemy action. Wrecks lost in war are treated as war graves.
This wreck may be the last resting place of those who died aboard. Please treat it with respect.
How this was decided: Seadar's protection rules, from the sources we hold, confidence 85%. When in doubt, Seadar generalises the position.
SAS Transvaal was one of three Loch-class frigates in the South African Navy (SAN). She was built as HMS Loch Ard (K602) for the Royal Navy during World War II, but was transferred to the SAN in 1944 before completion and renamed as HMSAS Transvaal. The ship was completed shortly after the German surrender in May 1945 and did not participate in the war. Transvaal was assigned to ferry troops home from Egypt after the war and participated in the annexation of the Prince Edward Islands in late 1947. Together with her sister ships, the ship made port visits in Middle Africa in 1948. Three years later, she participated in the celebration of Australia's Golden Jubilee. Transvaal received a lengthy refit in the late 1950s. The ship was placed in reserve in 1964 and was sold for scrap in 1977. Transvaal's remains were donated for use as an artificial reef and it was scuttled the following year.
History from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA.
About this wreck
SAS Transvaal is a recorded shipwreck site. Seadar shows wreck locations alongside live ship traffic, free, from Wikidata and public hydrographic records.
Other wrecks named SAS Transvaal
These wreck sites share the name SAS Transvaal. Until September 2026 they shared one web address; each now has its own page.
| Wreck | Location | Lost | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAS Transvaal | South Africa | — | 34.3° S, 18.4° E |
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