| Engineering Heritage Victoria Guest Speaker Program | |
| Venue | John Connell Auditorium, Engineering House 21 Bedford Street, North Melbourne, VIC |
| Date | Thursday 16th February, 5:30 PM refreshments 6:00 - 8:00 PM |
| Members Cost | FREE |
| Non Members Cost | FREE |
| Event Contact | Owen Peake |
| Contact Email | owen.peake@bigpond.com |
| Hosted By | EHV |
| Downloads | feb16_-_submarines.pdf(163KB) |
Submarines in Australia - from indecision to success
Presented by Owen Peake
The Story
The history of submarines in Australia has been characterised by indecision about the use of submarines by the Royal Australian Navy; lack of a submarine capability during the critical years of World War II and the emergence of a refined submarine service from the 1960s onward.
The start was promising with the acquisition of 2 competent British boats (AE1 and AE2) just prior to World War I, followed by the strategically significant achievements of AE2, and its ultimate loss, in the Sea of Marmara at the time of the Gallipoli Landings.
Australia entered the Second World War without a submarine service although large scale operations of Allied submarines occurred from Australian ports during this period.
The acquisition of the competent British-designed and built Oberon Class submarines during the 1960s placed the Royal Australian Navy in a strong position. The Oberons were replaced by the ambitious, controversial and successful Collins Class boats, built in Australia, which remain in service.
The presentation will also briefly cover the preservation of submarines heritage in Australia.
About the Speaker
Owen Peake is Secretary of Engineering Heritage Victoria and Immediate Past Chair of Engineering Heritage Australia and Australasian Editor for the International Stationary Steam Engine Society. He writes widely on all manner of Engineering Heritage subjects. If he has a particular interest it is in stationary steam engines.
Attending this event is worth up to 1.5 CPD hours.
