WWI Australia's first submarine found after vanishing
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The AE1 was the first World War I submarine loss for both the Allied
forces and for the Royal Australian Navy. Used in the operation to
capture German New Guinea in 1914, the sub mysteriously vanished three
years later.
A 103-year-old Australian maritime mystery finally drew to a close on Thursday after officials announced that the country's first submarine, which vanished on September 14, 1917, had been located in waters off the coast of the Duke of York Islands, part of Papua New Guinea.
The HMAS AE1 was the first Allied submarine loss in World War I (WWI), as well as the first wartime loss for the Royal Australian Navy. It was used in the 1914 takeover of German New Guinea, the northeastern part of the island that had been part of the German colonial empire.
"After 103 years, Australia's oldest naval mystery has been solved," Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne said on Sunday, calling the submarine's discovery "one of the most significant discoveries in Australia's naval maritime history."
She described the sub's watery disappearance as "a tragedy for our then fledging nation." All 35 crew members, hailing from Britain, Australia and New Zealand, lost their lives when the submarine sank.
A statement from the Department of Defense said that a commemorative service was held onboard the discovery vessel immediately after the submarine was found to honor those who lost their lives. The Australian government will work with Papa New Guinean government "to consider a lasting commemoration … and to preserve the site."
Australia's Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett added that he hoped the vessel's discovery would bring closure to descendants of the deceased.
The 13th time is the charm
A range of technologies was used to locate the sunken sub, Barrett said, including remotely operated vehicles, a deep-drop camera and a magnetometer that measures magnetic disturbances.
"Each time that we searched for AE1, the progression of technology has allowed for us to learn a little bit more," he said.
AE1 was found at a depth of more than 300 meters (984 feet) after an expedition to search for her — the 13th of its kind — was launched last week. The search ship was Fugro Equator, which was also used to hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH 370.
While the mystery of the vanished sub has been solved, the question will now turn to the reason for the sinking of the AE1.
According to a statement from Rear Admiral Peter Briggs in local newspaper The Australian, a diving accident is the most probable cause.
The submarine was found without oil, bodies or wreckage, indicating that it most likely sank intact. Enemy action has been considered unlikely as the cause, since there were no known German ships in the area at the time the AE1 went down.
The AE1 was commissioned in Portsmouth, England in early 1914. She arrived in Sydney along with her submarine sister AE2 in May. Outfitted with torpedoes but no guns, the AE1 had a length of 55 meters (181 feet) and could reach speeds of 15 knots (17 miles per hour/27 kilometers per hour) on the surface and 10 underwater.
A 103-year-old Australian maritime mystery finally drew to a close on Thursday after officials announced that the country's first submarine, which vanished on September 14, 1917, had been located in waters off the coast of the Duke of York Islands, part of Papua New Guinea.
The HMAS AE1 was the first Allied submarine loss in World War I (WWI), as well as the first wartime loss for the Royal Australian Navy. It was used in the 1914 takeover of German New Guinea, the northeastern part of the island that had been part of the German colonial empire.
"After 103 years, Australia's oldest naval mystery has been solved," Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne said on Sunday, calling the submarine's discovery "one of the most significant discoveries in Australia's naval maritime history."
She described the sub's watery disappearance as "a tragedy for our then fledging nation." All 35 crew members, hailing from Britain, Australia and New Zealand, lost their lives when the submarine sank.
A statement from the Department of Defense said that a commemorative service was held onboard the discovery vessel immediately after the submarine was found to honor those who lost their lives. The Australian government will work with Papa New Guinean government "to consider a lasting commemoration … and to preserve the site."
Australia's Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett added that he hoped the vessel's discovery would bring closure to descendants of the deceased.
The 13th time is the charm
A range of technologies was used to locate the sunken sub, Barrett said, including remotely operated vehicles, a deep-drop camera and a magnetometer that measures magnetic disturbances.
"Each time that we searched for AE1, the progression of technology has allowed for us to learn a little bit more," he said.
AE1 was found at a depth of more than 300 meters (984 feet) after an expedition to search for her — the 13th of its kind — was launched last week. The search ship was Fugro Equator, which was also used to hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH 370.
While the mystery of the vanished sub has been solved, the question will now turn to the reason for the sinking of the AE1.
According to a statement from Rear Admiral Peter Briggs in local newspaper The Australian, a diving accident is the most probable cause.
The submarine was found without oil, bodies or wreckage, indicating that it most likely sank intact. Enemy action has been considered unlikely as the cause, since there were no known German ships in the area at the time the AE1 went down.
The AE1 was commissioned in Portsmouth, England in early 1914. She arrived in Sydney along with her submarine sister AE2 in May. Outfitted with torpedoes but no guns, the AE1 had a length of 55 meters (181 feet) and could reach speeds of 15 knots (17 miles per hour/27 kilometers per hour) on the surface and 10 underwater.
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