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The 90ft Submarine
At the completion of the First World War in 1919, the British Government gave Australia a gift of six J class submarines (90ft Submarine) and six navy destroyers. The 90ft submarine were built under an emergency war program in response to reports that the German Navy was building submarines capable of reaching speeds of 20 knots. The British Navy was already experimenting with steam driven turbine powered submarines which later became K class submarines. In quick response to the news of the new German submarine fleet, the British designed the J class submarines (90ft Submarine) using existing technology.
90ft Submarines at WarEight J class submarines (90ft submarines)were ordered but only seven were build. The vessels were 100ft long and were capable of a surface speed of 19 knots.The 90ft submarines were designed to travel with the main battle fleet; the aim being to lure the enemy vessels into a "submarine trap".They were also equipped with a long range wireless and could successfully operate in enemy waters but still maintain contact with the British fleet. During the War, the submarines were stationed at Blyth with the 11th submarine flotilla. There, they were involved in heavy action against the enemy and destroyed a number of enemy ships including the Grosser Kurfurst and the Magdeburg. Only six of the submarines were sent to Australia. The J6 was accidently attacked and sunk by the British Navy's Decoy ship, the Cymric.
An Expensive RefitThe 90ft submarine together with six navy destroyers left Britain on the 9th April, 1919 and arrived in Sydney on the 15th July, 1919.The flotilla was valued at $1.5 million, however the Royal Australia Navy spent $407,000 upgrading the submarines because they were in such a dilapidated condition.As the submarines were gradually refitted, they sailed from Sydney to their new base, Geelong. They carried out only one exercise in Tasmanian waters before the J1, J2, J3, J4 & J5 were decommissioned because of cuts in the defence budget. The J3 submarine was towed to Swan Island to be used as a power station and pier. The J7 which was the last submarine to be refitted, was kept in reserve.In 1924, the Melbourne Salvage Company purchased the J1, J2, J4 & J5 submarines for $10,500. The company was under a bond of $1,000 to the Defence Department as guarantee of the final destruction of the submarines. The J1, J2, J4 & J5 were all scuttled about a kilometre from each other at the "ship graveyard". The hull of J7 now lies off the beach at Sandringham and the hull of J3 can still be seen near Swan Island.
Foremost Torpedo Room.
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