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

Naval Historical Society of Australia

Preserving Australia's Naval History

  • Events
  • Account
  • 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
      • Videos
      • On This Day
      • Podcasts
      • Australian Military Ship Losses
      • RAN events on a  Google Earth Map
      • RAN Vessels – Where are they now?
      • Related Maritime websites
    • Other
      • Newsletters: Call The Hands
      • Occasional Papers and Historical Booklets
      • 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
  • Naval Art
  • Tours & Cruises
    • Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, East
    • Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, West
    • Anniversary Cruise: Sydney under Japanese Attack
    • 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 / Archives for Australian Units / HMAS Platypus

HMAS Platypus

Remembering Platypus and the Mothballed Fleet

Fazio, Lieut. V. RANEM · Mar 6, 2023 ·

By Vince Fazio  We recently became aware of a proposal to upgrade the Watsons Bay Wharf and have written of our concerns (see Letters) to the Manager of the Project ...

HMAS Encounter (1905 – 1932)

Temp Author · Jan 5, 2015 ·

HMS Encounter served on the Australia Station and was later commissioned into the RAN. She played a vital role in defence of the eastern coast of Australia, and the anti raider patrols in the South West Pacific. She was regarded as “more beloved than any other unit of our fleet”. ...

Letter: HMAS Platypus and the Darwin Blitz February 1942

Letter Writer · Mar 1, 2014 ·

Dear Editor I have just read G. W. Ireland’s recounting of his experience in Darwin during the first and continuing raids and I would like to add that my father, ...

Some Truths About Darwin and the Air Raid – 19 Feb 1942

Minto, Thomas, MN, Captain · Jun 9, 2002 ·

The Harbour The hospital ship Manunda arrived at Darwin on 14th January 1942. That day she received instructions that lighting was to be reduced as much as possible, i.e. this ...

Pages: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

Captain Harry L. Howden OBE, CBE, RAN

Howden, Patrick ffyske · Sep 1, 1999 ·

Material in this article is from a paper “Portrait of my Father” by Dr Patrick ffyske Howden and is used with Dr Howden’s kind permission. Captain Harry L. Howden was ...

Pages: Page 1 Page 2

Captain Frank Edmund Getting, RAN – 1899-1942

Smith, Peter · Jun 11, 1994 ·

Frank Edmund Getting was born on 30 July, 1899, the son of Mr. and Mrs. P.E. Getting of Quarantine Street, Manly, New South Wales. In 1913 Frank applied for entry ...

Pages: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3

The Attack on Darwin – A Pictorial Record

Weaver, Trevor · Apr 26, 1992 ·

On 19 February, 1942 a massed air raid on Darwin, Australia’s northern gateway was made by Japanese aircraft, the first major attack on Australian soil. This first attack was made ...

Pages: Page 1 Page 2

Australian Naval History on 23 September 1988

On This Day · Sep 23, 1988 ·

The first National Submarine Reunion was held at HMAS PLATYPUS, (submarine base), Sydney ...

Australian Naval History on 21 September 1988

On This Day · Sep 21, 1988 ·

The Australian Submarine Museum was opened at HMAS PLATYPUS, (submarine base),in Sydney. ...

HMAS Platypus & The Darwin Raid – 1942

Gale, Lieutenant Commander M.B. , VRD, RANR (Retd.) · Jun 11, 1987 ·

THE PLATYPUS (Plats) was a WWI submarine depot Ship which, together with five ‘J’ class submarines, was presented by the RN to the RAN in 1919. She was later paid ...

Pages: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7

HMAS Platypus in Darwin during blitz 19 February 1942

Ireland, G.W. · Mar 24, 1985 ·

HMAS PLATYPUS was built in England during WWI as a Submarine Tender to the ’J’ class Submarines and as such she had workshops, oil stowage and storage for torpedoes. Platypus ...

The J Class Submarines

A.N. Other · Jun 30, 1983 ·

Displacement: 1,210 tons surfaced, 1,820 tons submerged. Length: 275½ feet. Beam: 23 feet. Draught: 14 feet. Machinery: Three Vickers solid injection diesel engines 3600hp/1400hp. Three screws. Speed: 19.5/9.5 kts. Radius: ...

Pages: Page 1 Page 2

Flinders Naval Depot

A.N. Other · Dec 31, 1982 ·

Flinders Naval Depot – The Cradle of the RAN ONE RESULT OF THE FAMOUS HENDERSON REPORT of 1910 was the establishment of a naval depot at Crib Point, Victoria. Originally ...

Australian Naval History on 18 August 1967

On This Day · Aug 18, 1967 ·

HMAS PLATYPUS, the new RAN submarine base, was commissioned at Neutral Bay, Sydney, conjointly with the Australian Fourth Submarine Squadron. ...

Australian Naval History on 27 November 1964

On This Day · Nov 27, 1964 ·

The Minister for the Navy, Mr. F. C. Chaney, announced plans to establish the RAN’s submarine base at Neutral Bay, Sydney. The base was commissioned HMAS PLATYPUS. ...

Australian Naval History on 20 February 1958

On This Day · Feb 20, 1958 ·

The RAN’s veteran depot ship, HMAS PLATYPUS, departed Sydney bound for Japan to be broken up. She had commenced service with the RAN in 1919, and had been present at ...

Australian Naval History on 13 May 1946

David Stratton · May 13, 1946 ·

HMAS Platypus paid off into Reserve at Sydney. She was sold on 20 February 1958 to Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha Ltd, of Tokyo, Japan, for scrap. In June 1958 the Japanese ...

Australian Naval History on 5 January 1945

On This Day · Jan 5, 1945 ·

The Battle of Lingayen Gulf, 5 to 9 January. HMA Ships AUSTRALIA, SHROPSHIRE, ARUNTA, WARRAMUNGA, GASCOYNE and WARREGO were engaged. HMA Ships AUSTRALIA and ARUNTA were hit by Japanese kamikaze ...

Australian Naval History on 20 February 1942

On This Day · Feb 20, 1942 ·

HMAS PLATYPUS, (depot ship), made the following signal to all RAN units in northern waters:- “Intention is to hold Darwin”. The signal was repeated during all subsequent Japanese air attacks ...

Australian Naval History on 19 February 1942

On This Day · Feb 19, 1942 ·

Japanese bombers attacked Darwin. HMA Ships MAVIE and KELAT, USS PEARY, and merchant ships BRITISH MOTORIST, NEPTUNA, ZEALANDIA, MAUNA LOA, and MEIGS, were sunk. HMA Ships PLATYPUS, SWAN, GUNBAR, WARREGO, ...

Australian Naval History on 26 February 1941

On This Day · Feb 26, 1941 ·

HMAS Platypus (previously HMAS Penguin) recommissioned to resume seagoing service as a training ship. The depot ship and accommodation vessel HMAS KUTTABUL, was commissioned. KUTTABUL was laid down in Walsh ...

Australian Naval History on 16 August 1929

David Stratton · Aug 16, 1929 ·

HMAS Penquin (formerly HMAS Platypus) commissioned to serve as a Depot Ship at Garden Island, acting also as parent ship for the submarines ...

Australian Naval History on 15 August 1929

David Stratton · Aug 15, 1929 ·

HMAS Platypus paid off and the following day commissioned as HMAS Penguin as a Depot Ship at Garden Island, acting also as parent ship for the submarines HMAS Encounter decommissioned ...

Australian Naval History on 12 July 1922

On This Day · Jul 12, 1922 ·

HMAS PLATYPUS was paid off as a submarine depot ship, and re-commissioned as a destroyer depot ship. After uneventful service, little of which was spent at sea, the six J ...

Australian Naval History on 13 March 1921

On This Day · Mar 13, 1921 ·

HMAS CERBERUS, (former HMC turret ship), was moved to Corio Bay, VIC, and was re-commissioned as HMAS PLATYPUS II, (submarine tender). ...

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

Latest Podcasts

  • The Fall of Singapore
  • HMAS Armidale
  • Napoleon, the Royal Navy and Me
  • The Case of the Unknown Sailor
  • Night of the midget subs — Sydney under attack

Links to other podcasts

Australian Naval History Podcasts
This podcast series examines Australia’s Naval history, featuring a variety of naval history experts from the Naval Studies Group and elsewhere.
Produced by the Naval Studies Group in conjunction with the Submarine Institute of Australia, the Australian Naval Institute, Naval Historical Society and the RAN Seapower Centre

Life on the Line Podcasts
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories.
These recordings can be accessed through Apple iTunes or for Android users, Stitcher.

Video Links

  • Australian War Memorial YouTube channel
  • Royal Australian Navy YouTube Channel
  • Research – We can help!
  • Naval Heritage Sites
  • Explore Naval Art
  • Dockyard Heritage Tour
  • About us
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Members Area
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Members Area
  • Privacy Policy

Naval Historical Society of Australia Inc. Copyright © 2025