Description
Places and stories along the way
Garden Island
Also known as Fleet Base East, Garden Island has a unique and rich history from a Naval, architectural and colonial perspective. The island, which was joined to the mainland at Potts Point in 1941-45, is a working Navy base and home to many buildings dating from 1887. Notably, the Naval Chapel has stained-glass windows, some well over 90 years old, and each tells its own Naval history.
The Ships of Garden Island
A commentary on the ships home-based and alongside at Garden Island. There is always an interesting variation in the types of ships, their ages, functions, history and future.
The Construction and Operation of the Captain Cook Graving Dock (The Dry Dock)
Learn about the reclamation of land between the island and Potts Point from 1941-1945. This massive project increased the size of Garden Island from 11 acres to 67 acres and simultaneously enabled the construction of the dock, which is still in continuous use today.
The Japanese Midget Submarine Attack
A commentary on the Japanese Navy’s midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour. On Sunday 31 May 1942, three midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour with the intent of sinking or damaging the cruiser USS Chicago. Two submarines were destroyed and one escaped, to be discovered eventually off Sydney’s northern beaches.
The History of HMAS Platypus
HMAS Platypus was commissioned on 18 August 1967 as the eastern Australian base for the six RAN Oberon-class submarines. Over its years of operation, Platypus provided a home base for Australia’s Submarine Squadron. You will be given a virtual tour of an OBERON class submarine. It was Australia’s only dedicated submarine base. The base was closed in 1999.
The Future of the RAN
Learn about the changes in technology and the planned changes to the fleet, as well as a recent strategic review, some recent announcements and the way forward.
