A pair of handsome stone storehouses dating from the 1740s stand on the seafront where they were built by the Dutch East India Company, marking the initial location of the Yard.

[2] Over the next few decades, the site was developed gradually, with steam engineering and coaling facilities being added mid-century.

In 1885, the government of the Cape Colony transferred the assets of the Simon's Bay Dock and Patent Slip Company to the British Admiralty.

[4] The Dockyard was expanded in 1975, a large area of land was reclaimed and the harbour walls were extended to form a new Tidal Basin.

[5] As of December 2015[update], it is the main base of the South African Navy, and home port of the frigate and submarine flotillas.