8.The Submarine AE2

After Federation, the defence of Australia was passed from the British to the newly formed Royal Australian Navy.

The first two Australian submarines were modified versions of the British E class.

The replica before us is of the AE2, which performed daring deeds during the Gallipoli campaign of World War 1. It became the first vessel in over 300 years to breach the defences of the Dardanelle’s before being lost in action, only to be found 80 years later.