111 years ago: AE1 and AE2 join the fleet

A MOST important addition was made to the Commonwealth Naval Fleet when the two submarines, AE1 and AE2, arrived in Australian waters.

They form part of the naval programme which was adopted in accordance with the arrangement made at the Imperial Conference on Defence in 1909.

That programme, provided for one armoured cruiser, three unarmoured cruisers, six torpedo boat destroyers, and three submarines.

Of these the battle cruiser, Australia, the second-class cruisers, Melbourne and Sydney, and the torpedo boat destroyers Parramatta, Yarra and Warrego, are in commission, and the two submarines, AE1 and AE2 are coming down the Queensland coast, and are due to arrive at Sydney on May 23 [ 1914 ].

The two submarines, which were built by Vickers Limited, Barrow, England, are of the same dimensions.

They are 800 tons, with a length of 176ft, and beam 22ft. They have a speed of 17 knots per hour on the surface of the water, and 10 knots per hour below the surface.

Their armament includes three torpedo tubes.

The keel of the first submarine was laid on November 14, 1911, and that of the second on February 10, 1912.

The two submarines have made a voyage from England to Australia which constitutes a record in naval history, for vessels of this class have never before undertaken so long a voyage.

They were escorted by a cruiser of the Imperial Navy through the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea to Colombo.

There they were met by the cruiser, Sydney, of the Australian Fleet, and escorted through Torres Straits, and down the Queensland coast.

The two submarines are to be given a hearty welcome on their arrival in Port Jackson, where all the other vessels belonging to the Australian Navy will be gathered, and it is expected that the new arrivals will be given a great reception by the boats of the local yacht clubs.

— from page 33 of “The Australian Town and Country Journal” (Sydney) of 20 May 1914.