RFA Salvestor (A499)

RFA "Salvestor" (A499) was a salvage vessel of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. King Salvor Class Salvage Vessels were powered by reciprocating steam engines, with two shafts. Salvestor was built by Simons (Renfrew).

During the Second World War the Salvestor was one of two Royal Navy ships manned by South African Naval Personnel. She remained the property of the Royal Navy but was under SANF control from 31 August 1944. She served in the Mediterranean and then participated in the war against Japan with the British Eastern Fleet.

In 1945 Salvestor assisted a merchant ship that had encountered problems more than 200 km from Milne Bay, New Guinea. After the war Salvestor salvaged a number of wrecks from Hong Kong Harbour, including a Japanese tug. The SANF crew was gradually replaced by Royal Navy personnel, she was handed back to the Royal Navy in 1946.

For services rendered in the war against Japan, the Salvestor received the 'Pacific 1942-45' battle honours, the only South African-manned naval vessel to be honoured in this way.

External reference

* [http://www.btinternet.com/~warship/Postwar/RFA/salvor.htm King Salvor Class Salvage Vessels]
* [http://rapidttp.com/milhist/vol103aw.html South African Military History - World War II]