Introducing AE1 and AE2
E-class submarines of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
Australia was quick to follow the United Kingdom and the United States of America to acquire submarines. From 1905, Alfred Deakin advocated that submarines should be part of Australia’s defence. The professional head of what would become the Royal Australian Navy, Admiral William Creswell did not agree with his Prime Minister, arguing that submarines would be unsuitable in Australian sea conditions, and they would not contribute to the development of the fledgling RAN. Deakin had his way and HMAS AE1 and HMAS AE2 were ordered in 1911.
The two submarines arrived in Australia in May 1914 having completed a passage from Barrow-in-Furness to Sydney – the longest voyage ever undertaken by a submarine at that time.
Image provided by Royal Australian Navy
HMA Submarine AE2 alongside HMAS AE1 at Garden Island Dockyard – Royal Australian Navy
