The Australian Submarine AE2

HMAS AE2, originally known as AE2, served as an E-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and was commissioned in 1914. Alongside her sister submarine, HMAS AE1, AE2 undertook the longest submarine voyage at the time, sailing to Australia, marking a significant achievement for the fledgling navy.

During World War I, AE2 was deployed to German New Guinea with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force before carrying out patrols around Fiji. Following a transfer to the Mediterranean, AE2 played a key role in the Dardanelles Campaign, becoming the first submarine to successfully navigate the waterway and enter the Sea of Marmara. Despite being scuttled due to mechanical faults and subsequently captured by the enemy, AE2 remains a symbol of bravery and resilience.

Notably, AE2 is the sole RAN vessel lost to enemy action during World War I. After its discovery in 1998 by the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, joint efforts by the Australian and Turkish Governments led to the decision to preserve the historic wreck in its final resting place.