TRISTAN DA CUNHA=2/11/1967=M.V. R.S.A. SHIP=SG108=ovptd 4d on SG76=POSTED AT SEA OFF TRISTAN ISLAND.

TRISTAN DA CUNHA  = EXPEDITION COVER = 2 NOVEMBER 1967

SG 108 4 1/2d overprinted 4d ON SG76 = H.M.S. GALATEA (SCREW FRIGATE) 

QUEEN ELIZABETH II

SG108 = 4D = used = 1967

M.V. "R.S.A." M.S.

to 7 Links Drive, Pinelands, Cape Town, .

Condition: Good. a.

The 1573-tonne R.S.A. was ’s first Antarctic supply vessel. She was built in Osaka, Japan, launched in September 1961 and arrived in Cape Town on her maiden voyage by year-end. Following the placement of the first two n (SANAE) overwintering teams in Norway station, Dronning Maud Land by the Norwegian vessels Polarbjørn and Polarhav in 1959/60 and 1960/61, the R.S.A. took down the third team in early January 1962. On her voyage south she also carried a Public Works team and materials to construct ’s first Antarctic station, known as SANAE I. In 1971 she supported the building of SANAE II, as the first station was becoming uninhabitable with snow built up above it, burying it ever deeper. She was able to carry a light helicopter such as a Westland Wasp or an Alouette III.

In the next 16 years the R.S.A. (nick-named by some “Rolling Slowly Along”) made visits every year to ’s meteorological stations on Gough and Marion and in Antarctica to relieve teams or on special voyages for medical or other emergencies.

Once her Antarctic career was over the ship joined the n Navy, known only by her pennant number A331 (pronounced “Azzi”) without any Navy name. She ended her life partially demolished for scrap but then was sunk once asbestos came to light: a sad end to ’s first Antarctic ship.

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