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AE1 and AE2 which would shape Australia’s defence history and the lives of each of their crew.

When Stoker Charles Suckling visited the wharves of Barrow-in-Furness, he witnessed the construction of submarines AE1 and AE2 which would shape Australia’s defence history and the lives of each of their crew.

The personal account penned by Stoker Suckling in September 1913, details the tasks involved in preparing the submarines engines which he described as ‘experimental’ for their voyage from Portsmouth, England to Sydney, Australia described as the longest submarine journey in history. The account also details the actions and fates of Australia’s first submarines.

Extract from letter by Charles Suckling
Image provided by the Australian War Memorial

Introduction of a Submarine Service into the Royal Australian Navy

On Tuesday 13th and the following Saturday 17th October 1959 the Defence Joint Planning Committee met in Canberra and recommended the “Introduction of a Submarine Service into the Royal Australian Navy”.

The Joint Planning Committee

The members of the committee were:

  • Rear Admiral A.W.R. McNicoll CBE, GM – Deputy Secretary (Military)
  • Air Commodore C.T.Hannah CB, CBE – Director General Plans and Policy
  • Brigadier C.E.Long – Director of Military Operations and Plans
  • Captain D.C.Wells – Director of Plans
  • G.E. Blakers Esq. – Assistant Secretary (Defence Planning)

In their deliberations, the committee considered:

  1. The Threat – which they saw as the capable and increasing numbers of Chinese submarines together with the significant surface capability of Indonesia.
  2. The roles of Australian submarines, including:
    • Anti-Submarine – the employment of submarines to counter enemy submarines is an important role as underwater detection methods become increasingly important.
    • Anti-Shipping – in a war in which Australia is threatened the employments of its submarines to sink surface ships, particularly amphibious assault vessels, is a major contribution to our defence.
    • Other roles, including minelaying, clandestine operations and support for the training of other Australian antisubmarine forces.
  3. The minimum number of submarines Australia would need.
    • The committee advised at least eight submarines would be required.
  4. Whether the submarines should be nuclear powered.
    • The committee concluded that the cost of nuclear submarines was not in proportion to their benefit and that they should not be acquired:
      • Unless the threat became greater, or
      • Until the cost of nuclear submarines has reduced.

Conclusion

“We have concluded, the R.A.A.F. member dissenting, that excluding program considerations and interservice priorities, the institution of a submarine service would be a valuable addition to balanced Australian Defence Forces.”