Australian submarines: past, present and futurePublic Lecture | Updated 1 decade agoPeter Horobin and Steve Davies, Submarine Institute of Australia Presented in association with the Submarine Institute of Australia (SIA) Australia has been a submarine-operating nation since 1914, and soon marks the centenary of its submarine service. Despite the heroic exploits of Australian WW1 submarines however, the country had no submarine force at its next time of greatest need and relied on Allied submarines operating from Fremantle and Brisbane to defend its shores.More information
Maritime history boats and watercraftCollections | Updated 7 months agoThe Museum’s Watercraft Collection comprises of around eighty watercraft, ranging from a freezer lid that was used as a life raft to an Oberon submarine, HMAS Ovens. The collection is one of the largest in Australia and has been loosely classified into four main collecting areas:More information
Maritime History Immigration and Migration CollectionCollections | Updated 7 months agoThe Maritime History department maintains an extensive Immigration Collection that documents maritime immigration into Western Australia. This collection includes artefacts such as: documents, on board images, clothes, shipboard newsletters, posters and postcards of ports visited during the voyage, crossing the line certificates, menus, tableware, table and bathroom linen, memorabilia, personal souvenirs, commercially produced souvenirs, cabin luggage, trunks and suitcases and shipboard games.More information
Naval Defence GalleryLong Term Exhibition | Updated 7 years agoWar, peace, bravery and sacrifice. In this gallery visitors learn the important role of naval defence in protecting Australia's interests and the strategic importance of Fremantle as a marine base. Feature objects include a World War One Tenix AE2 submarine conning tower, naval weaponry and a replica of an underwater Motorised Submersible Canoe known as a Sleeping Beauty. WA Maritime Museum More information
World War II Submarine Veteran Oral History - Max Shean (DSO* RANR Rtd)Collection Highlights | Updated 1 decade agoIn this interview, Max Shean outlines the evolution of small submarines in the Royal Navy during World War II, what they were like, the training of their crews, the operations performed and finally, his personal reflections. He makes special reference to Australians involved. The RAN had no submarines in WWII but there were many Australian submariners. Max Shean was a veteran of the X-Craft, a four-man midget submarine that contributed greatly to the allies’ success during WWII. Shean is also the author of ‘Corvettes and Submarines’ which he published in 1992.More information
Maritime history oral historiesCollections | Updated 7 months agoThe Maritime History department focuses on Western Australian maritime history within the context of the Indian Ocean. The Maritime History department’s Oral History Collection holds over two hundred interviews with people who are directly associated with the department’s collections, or who are associated with a specific area of research undertaken for publication or exhibitions. Maritime History staff mostly conduct these interviews, however, sometimes volunteers from relevant fields perform the interviews on behalf of the Museum.More information
HMAS OvensLong Term Exhibition | Updated 6 years ago HMAS Ovens is temporarily closed. We apologise for any inconvenience. The Oberon class Submarine HMAS Ovens is an authentic Cold War-era vessel situated on Fremantle's historic World War Two submarine slipway. Visitors can find out what life is like aboard a submarine and immerse themselves in Fremantle's secret wartime history. WA Maritime Museum More information
HMAS Ovens at the Maritime MuseumCollection Highlights | Updated 1 decade agoMarine engineering, science and technology, including the Oberon submarine HMAS Ovens are important elements of the Maritime History Department’s interests and collections. This image shows the marine engines inside HMAS Ovens that is displayed on the World War II built slipways at the Maritime MuseumMore information
Maritime History - introductionCollections | Updated 7 months agoThis page introduces the Maritime History department which specialises in the research, documentation and collection of the State’s maritime history and heritage, including watercraft, images, and (non-archaeologically obtained) artefacts offered for donation by the public.More information
Marine engine, science and technology collectionCollections | Updated 7 months agoThe Marine Engine, Science and Technology Collection comprises of marine steam machinery, pumps and generators used on ships that operated off Western Australia’s coast. The collection includes combustion engines made in Western Australia, and Australian engines with a strong Western Australian provenance. The Maritime History department also collects imported marine engines that have a strong Western Australian marine history or represent major trends in the history and development of marine engineering in this State.More information