AEI and AEII

AE I and AE II The AE1 in Sydney Harbour in 1914 This is the story of Australia's first submarine. She was the AE1. A - for Australia; E for 'E' Class submarine, and the number 1, as in the first submarine for the Royal Australian Navy. The submarine was built by Vickers Son & Maxim at the Naval Construction Works, Barrow-in-Furness, County Lancashire, England. Her keel was laid down on the 14th November 1911. DELIVERY VOYAGE AE1 & AE2 On the 5th, the tow to AE2 was let go at 0700 hours, and the boats were anchored off Palmeston by 0830 hours. Leave was given from 1630 hours that day until 0700 hours of the following morning, and nearly all of the crew took the opportunity of stepping ashore onto Australian soil for the first time. "Australia Welcomes Her Defenders" was proudly displayed and everyone adjourned to a hotel where thirsts were quenched and the submariners were told that a day of Sports and an Evening of concert had been arranged for the next day. Wednesday, May 6th, saw the boats open for visitors, and a Royal Salute was fired from HMAS Sydney to commemorate the Anniversary of Ascension Day. By 1400, the Sports day had begun with about 300 sailors taking part. In the evening the concert was held, after which the Aboriginals treated the sailors to a corroboree. he evening's entertainment being completed, the sailors gave a hearty three cheers for the locals and returned to the boats. They were underway by 0730 the following morning on their way to Cairns via Thursday Island, in the Torres Strait, which was reached at noon on Sunday, 10th May. AE1 was still under tow when a motor launch arrived and delivered mail. By 1600 hours, the vessels were heading inside the Great Barrier Reef that runs down the eastern coastline of Australia. Good speed was made to Cairns and anchors were dropped at 2130 on Friday 15th. Next morning saw the boats anchored 200 yards from the pier at 1030. A number of men went on an organised tour of sight-seeing to Barrow Falls. The rest taking refuge in the Mining Exchange Hotel. The vessels left Cairns on Monday, 18th May, for Sydney with ample time to reach the harbour by noon of May 23rd. However, violent storms with raging winds and hail slowed progress and as the seas became worse, refuge was taken inside Moreton bay and anchors were dropped for the night. Weighing anchor the next morning, the boats headed into the gale and finally on Saturday the 23rd, the weather moderated. The small fleet arrived in Sydney. Reference/s: http://www.ae1submarine.com/construction.html Downloaded 9 May 2012