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Following the First World War, the British Government gave Australia a gift of six J Class submarines and six navy destroyers in 1919.
The submarines were built under an emergency war program in response to reports that the German Navy was building submarines capable of reaching speeds of 20 knots.
The British Navy was already experimenting with steam driven turbine powered submarines which later became K class submarines. In quick response to the news of the new German submarine fleet, the British designed the J class submarines using existing technology. The J Class submarines are the only triple screw submarines to have ever been built.
Submarines at War
Eight J class submarines were ordered but only seven were built. The vessels were 274ft (83.5m) long and were capable of a surface speed of 19 knots. The submarines were designed to travel with the main battle fleet; the aim being to lure the enemy vessels into a "submarine trap". They were also equipped with a long range wireless and could successfully operate in enemy waters but still maintain contact with the British fleet. During the War, the submarines were stationed at Blyth with the 11th submarine flotilla. There, they were involved in heavy action against the enemy and destroyed a number of enemy ships including the Grosser Kurfurst and the Magdeburg.
Only six of the submarines were sent to Australia. The J6 was accidentally attacked and sunk by the British Navy's Decoy ship, the Cymric.
An expensive refit
The submarines together with six navy destroyers left Britain on the April 9,1919 and arrived in Sydney on the July 15,1919. The flotilla was valued at £1.5 million, however the Royal Australian Navy spent £407,000 upgrading the submarines because they were in such a dilapidated condition.
As the submarines were gradually refitted, they sailed from Sydney to their new base, Geelong. They carried out only one exercise in Tasmanian waters before the J1, J2, J3, J4 & J5 were decommissioned because of cuts in the defence budget. The J3 submarine was towed to Swan Island to be used as a power station and pier. The J7 which was the last submarine to be refitted, was kept in reserve.
In 1924, the Melbourne Salvage Company purchased the J1, J2, J4 and J5 submarines for £10500. The company was under a bond of £1000 to the Defence Department as guarantee of the final destruction of the submarines. The J1, J2, J4 and J5 were all scuttled about a kilometre from each other in Commonwealth Disposal Area No. 3 also known as the 'Ship's Graveyard' off Port Phillip Heads. The hull of J7 can still be seen in the Sandringham Marina as can the hull of J3 near Swan Island
Details of the submarine's dimensions
| Tonnage: | 1170 | 1190 | | Speed: | 19 knots | 19.5 knots | | Horsepower: | 3600 | 1400 | | Endurance: | 4000 at 12 knots | 2000 | | Fuel: | 80 tons | | | Dimensions: | Length - 274'9" (83.5m)
Breadth - 23'6" (7.2m) | Depth - 14' (4.3m) | | Complement of Crew: | 44 crew | | Diving on the wreck of the submarine
The J4 more commonly known as the "Shallow" or "90ft Submarine", is submerged in 27.6 m of water in the ship's graveyard. It is one of the many historic wrecks included in Victoria's Underwater Shipwreck Discovery Trail. Qualified divers can explore the old wooden clippers, iron steamships and cargo and passenger ships located along the coast and in Port Philip Bay. Some of these wreck dives are suitable for beginners while others require the skills and experience of advanced divers. Dive information sheet
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