Princess Elizabeth Opens New South African Graving Dock -- Princess Elizabeth inspecting a guard of honor drawn from the Railways and Harbors Brigade. Princess Elizabeth performed her first public engagement on her own during the Royal family's tour of South Africa when she opened the new 'Princess Elizabeth' graving dock for ships up to 17,000 tons on the Buffalo River at East London by breaking a signal flag authorizing the South African Naval Forces Frigate 'Transvaal' to enter the dock. During the ceremony, the Princess received a gift of five large diamonds (estimated to be worth £4,000) presented on behalf of the Railways and Harbors administration by Mrs. F.C. Sturrock, wife of the South African Transport Minister. March 12, 1947.