• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Naval Historical Society of Australia

Preserving Australia's Naval History

  • Events
  • Members Area
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Show Search
  • 0 items
Hide Search
Menu
  • Home
  • Research
    • Where to start
      • Research – We can help!
      • Self help
      • Naval Service Records
      • Library
      • Related Maritime websites
    • Resources
      • Articles
      • On This Day
      • Podcasts
      • Videos
      • Australian Military Ship Losses
      • RAN events on a  Google Earth Map
      • Related Maritime websites
    • Other
      • Newsletters: Call The Hands
      • Occasional Papers
      • Books
      • HMAS Shropshire
      • Book reviews
    • Close
  • Naval Heritage Sites
    • World Heritage Listings
      • Cockatoo Island
    • National Heritage Listings
      • HMAS Sydney II and the HSK Kormoran Shipwreck Sites
      • HMVS Cerberus
    • Commonwealth Heritage Listings
      • Garden Island NSW
      • HMAS Watson
      • HMAS Penguin
      • Spectacle Island Explosives Complex NSW
      • Chowder Bay Naval Facilities
      • Beecroft Peninsula NSW
      • Admiralty House, Garden and Fortifications
      • HMAS Cerberus
      • Naval Offices QLD
      • Garden Island WA
      • Royal Australian Naval College ACT
      • Royal Australian Naval Transmitting Station ACT
    • NSW Heritage Listings
      • HMAS Rushcutter
    • Close
  • Tours & Cruises
    • Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, East
    • Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, West
    • 81st. Anniversary Cruise: Sydney under Japanese Attack
    • Tour of Sub Base Platypus
    • Garden Island Dockyard Heritage Tour
    • Garden Island Northern Hill and Garden Tour
    • Tour Bookings
    • Close
  • About us
    • About Us
      • What we do
      • Our People
      • Office Bearers
      • Become a volunteer
      • Our Goals and Strategy
    • Organisation
      • Victoria Chapter
      • WA Chapter
      • ACT Chapter
    • Close
  • Membership
  • Shop
  • Become a volunteer
  • Donate
You are here: Home / Naval Heritage Sites / HMAS Penguin

HMAS Penguin

· Jun 29, 2017 ·

HMAS Penguin is of exceptional heritage and historic interest in that it is a fine example of a purpose built Naval training and hospitalisation complex erected in 1940-45 during the Second World War.

The primary group of more than 12 buildings, mostly erected in 1942-45 continue in service today as one of the RAN’s training and support establishments.

The largely weatherboard and brick buildings in the bush setting of the Middle Harbour foreshore were designed with a consistent stylistic theme. The main complex includes a hospital and barracks style accommodation of one to three storeys.

HMAS Penguin located at Balmoral, Sydney

History

The history of Defence use of land on Middle Head and Georges Heights dates back to the early 1800s when any threat to Sydney was seen as coming from the sea. The history of the construction of gun batteries and other defence facilities in this area is available from the Department of Environment and Energy.

The land on which HMAS Penguin is located, near Middle Head and Georges Heights headland, was set aside for defence purposes before 1870 for the strategic defence of Sydney Harbour. It covers an area of approximately 14.2 hectares.

Following Federation in 1901, Defence became the responsibility of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Most defence works on Georges Heights, Middle Head and South Head were completed in 1903. The Clifton Estate at Chowder Bay, (the former ‘Mosman Septic Tank’ later a swimming pool) remained in private hands until resumed by the Commonwealth in 1940 for Navy.

HMAS Penguin developed rapidly. Training schools were established from 1951 to 1964 when it was the main submarine base in Sydney Harbour. The Diving and Hydrographic Survey teams continue to be housed there.

Junior Sailors Accommodation Block, HMAS Penguin

Earlier Ships Named Penguin

Ships named Penguin have served Australia since 1877.

HMAS Penguin (I)

The first Penguin was a composite sloop that first commissioned in the Royal Navy in 1877. It later served on the Australia Station as a survey ship and from 1909 to 1923 as a Depot Ship berthed at Garden Island, Sydney.

HMAS Penguin (II)

Penguin (II) was the former light cruiser HMAS Encounter, part of the Australian Fleet that entered Sydney Harbour for the first time on 4 October 1913. Encounter was renamed Penguin(II) on 1 January 1923 and assumed responsibilities as the Navy’s depot and accommodation ship at Garden Island. She was paid-off for disposal on 15 August 1929.

HMAS Penguin (II), the former light cruiser HMAS Encounter

HMAS Penguin (III)

Penguin (III) began service as HMAS Platypus (I), a Submarine and Destroyer Tender and Fleet Repair Ship. HMAS Platypus (II) commissioned as HMAS Penguin (III) on 16 August 1929 and became the new depot and accommodation ship at Garden Island. The ship continued in this role until 26 February 1941 when, recommissioned HMAS Platypus it resumed sea service as a Training Ship.

HMAS Penguin (III), former tender HMAS Platypus

HMAS Penguin (IV)

In 1941, construction of the establishment at Balmoral began. The depot, designed to provide sleeping accommodation for 700 men with necessary administration, support offices and recreational facilities also included the Balmoral Naval Hospital. It was commissioned as HMAS Penguin (IV) on 14 July 1942.

Training and Support Activities

Naval Hospital

On commissioning Penguin was the home of the Balmoral Naval Hospital and served as a convalescence centre and as base for the Fairmile B Motor Launches that patrolled Sydney Harbour. After the war, it became the main demobilization base for the Navy. The Balmoral Naval Hospital closed down in October 2006 and Penguin now provides a small Medical Centre for RAN personnel.

Seamanship School

Between 1945-1974, Penguin was home to the RAN Seamanship School. HMAS Countersink, a damage control simulator, built from scrap recovered from the battle-damaged HMAS Australia and HMAS Hobart. The facility was constructed on site and remained in use well into the 1980s as part of the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence School. The facility was used to train officers and sailors in battle damage repair techniques and procedures.

Submarine Base

Between 1948-1967, HMAS Penguin was home to the Royal Navy’s Fourth Submarine Squadron before the First Australian Submarine Squadron was formed in 1968 and home-ported at HMAS Platypus, Neutral Bay.

National Service Recruit School

During the period of National Service, 1951-1954, Penguin housed the RAN National Service Recruit School.

Hydrographic School

In the early 1960s, the RAN Hydrographic School was established at Penguin.

RAN Diving School and the Submarine and Underwater Medicine Unit

With the departure of the Submarine Squadron, the RAN Diving School and the Submarine and Underwater Medicine Unit relocated to Penguin.

Clearance Diving Team 2

In mid-1968, Clearance Diving Team 2, which was formed at HMAS Rushcutter in 1966, was transferred to Penguin.

RAN Staff College

From 1979-2000, the RAN Staff College was based at HMAS Penguin before moving to Canberra at the end of 2000 to collocate with the other Service Staff Colleges.

Security and Naval Police Coxswains School

In the 1990s, the Security and Naval Police Coxswains School operated out of Penguin before relocating to Holsworthy in 2000 as part of a new Military Police Training Centre.

Navy Cadets

From 1999-2009, the State Headquarters of the Australian Navy Cadets was situated at Penguin.

Other occasional residents at Penguin have included the RAN Band, Clearance Diving Team 1 and the Navy Sailing Centre.

Hyperbaric Chamber, Submarine and Underwater Medicine Unit

Further Reading

HMAS Penguin:   National Heritage Database

HMAS Penguin:   Royal Australian Navy, Sea Power Centre

Primary Sidebar

World & National Heritage Sites

  • Cockatoo Island
  • HMAS Sydney II and the HSK Kormoran Shipwreck Sites
  • HMVS Cerberus

Commonwealth Heritage Sites

  • Chowder Bay Naval Facilities
  • Royal Australian Naval Transmitting Station ACT
  • Royal Australian Naval College ACT
  • Garden Island WA
  • Naval Offices QLD
  • HMAS Cerberus
  • Admiralty House, Garden and Fortifications
  • Beecroft Peninsula NSW
  • Spectacle Island Explosives Complex NSW
  • HMAS Penguin
  • HMAS Watson

The NHSA acknowledges support provided by the Australian Department of Environment and Energy which made these pages possible.
Greater detail on building history, the natural and Indigenous significance to these sites is available by accessing the National Heritage List.

  • Research – We can help!
  • Naval Heritage Sites
  • Garden Island Dockyard Heritage Tour
  • About us
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Members Area
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Facebook

  • Facebook
  • Members Area
  • Privacy Policy
  • Log Out

Naval Historical Society of Australia Inc. Copyright © 2023