Oxley(I) and Otway (I)
Oxley and Otway were slightly modified versions of the O-class
Like others in Australia’s fledgling submarine fleet, the Odin class Oxley and her sister boat Otway were constructed at Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness, England.
Oxley and Otway were slightly modified versions of the O-class of which nine were built during the 1920s.
HMAS Oxley was commissioned on 1 April 1927 under Commander Hugh R Marrack, DSC, RN and HMAS Otway was commissioned on 15 June 1927 under Lieutenant Commander George JD Tweedy, RN.
Oxley was named after the famous Australian explorer Lieutenant John Oxley who had served in the Royal Navy during the 19th century. On completion Oxley was temporarily attached to the Royal Navy 5th Submarine Flotilla before departing Portsmouth in company with Otway on 8 February 1928.
The first post-World War I class of submarines designed and built for the Royal Navy, the Odin Class each included six torpedoes at the bow, with a further two located in stern tubes.
These boats were theoretically able to dive to 500 feet (150 m), though none were formally tested beyond 300 feet (91 m).
Image provided by the Royal Australian Navy
Image provided by the Royal Australian Navy
Image provided by the Sea Museum
HMS Otway saw service in the Bay of Biscay, the Mediterranean and waters around England and was paid off on 24 August 1945 when she was handed over to the British Iron and Steel Corporation. She was subsequently scrapped by Messrs TW Ward of Inverkeithing, who completed demolition towards the end of 1946.
