J-3 SUBMARINE

Location

Swan Island, Port Phillip Bay

VHR Number

S383

Date lost

01/1926

Year of construction

1916

Statement of Significance

The J-3 is a unique visible maritime cultural feature in Port Phillip. Its location at Swan Island where its engines were used as electricity generators exhibits its defence associations and cultural re-use. it is one of the Royal Australian Navy's earliest submarines, predated only by the AE-1 and AE-2.

Physical Description

Construction Material Steel

Rig Submarine

Hull Details Double hull Armament: one 3" dp/Ha gun and one 2-pounder portable gun, later changed to a 4" quick firing gun mouned on a platform built before the bridge

Propulsion Motor

Engine Specification vickers; Mather and Platt

Engine Builder 3x12 cy. Vickers solid injection direct reversing 4 cycle bhp diesel engines of 14-1/2" bore and 15" stroke, 380 rpm; for submerged running 2x Mather & Platt 1400 hp electric motors (MAAV report)

Length / Breadth / Depth 274.8 Feet / 23.5 Feet / 14.0 Feet

History

Built Date 1916

Built Port / Country Pembroke, Dyfed / Wales

Former Details of Registration Formerly belonged to British Royal Navy; then to Australian Navy

Details
Double hull type Armament: one 3" Dp/Ha gun and one 2-pounder portable gun, later changed to a 4" quick firing gun mounted on a platform built before the bridge. 1J Class submarines built for British Navy. After World War I six subs offered to Australia as a gift. They saw little service with Australian Navy - an embarrassment from the beginning - in poor condition. Decision taken on 9 Nov. 1923 ( J-7 on 16 Jan. 1924) to scrap the subs. Remaining fittings of J-3 and hull of Countess of Hopetoun sold to Edward Hill for 1500 pounds. The hull of J-3 was to remain at Swan Island, where it had been towed by J-7.

Uses of Vessel

Primary Use Defence

Secondary Use Naval

Voyage Details

Date Lost 01/1926

Owner Edward Hill 77 Chapman St, North Melbourne

Cause of Loss
Deliberately beached on Swan Island. The generators were used to supply power to the military base on SwanIsland. Sunk as a breakwater

Further Details

Number of Passengers 0

Number of Crew Members 0

Physical Description
Construction Material	Steel
Rig	Submarine
Hull Details	Double hull Armament: one 3" dp/Ha gun and one 2-pounder portable gun, later changed to a 4" quick firing gun mouned on a platform built before the bridge
Propulsion	Motor
Engine Specification	vickers; Mather and Platt
Engine Builder	3x12 cy. Vickers solid injection direct reversing 4 cycle bhp diesel engines of 14-1/2" bore and 15" stroke, 380 rpm; for submerged running 2x Mather & Platt 1400 hp electric motors (MAAV report)
Length / Breadth / Depth	274.8 Feet / 23.5 Feet / 14.0 Feet

Built Date	1916
Built Port / Country	Pembroke, Dyfed / Wales
Former Details of Registration	Formerly belonged to British Royal Navy; then to Australian Navy
Details	Double hull type Armament: one 3" Dp/Ha gun and one 2-pounder portable gun, later changed to a 4" quick firing gun mounted on a platform built before the bridge. 1J Class submarines built for British Navy. After World War I six subs offered to Australia as a gift. They saw little service with Australian Navy - an embarrassment from the beginning - in poor condition. Decision taken on 9 Nov. 1923 ( J-7 on 16 Jan. 1924) to scrap the subs. Remaining fittings of J-3 and hull of Countess of Hopetoun sold to Edward Hill for 1500 pounds. The hull of J-3 was to remain at Swan Island, where it had been towed by J-7.

Primary Use	Defence
Secondary Use	Naval

Date Lost	01/1926
Owner	Edward Hill 77 Chapman St, North Melbourne
Cause of Loss	Deliberately beached on Swan Island. The generators were used to supply power to the military base on SwanIsland. Sunk as a breakwater

Number of Passengers	0
Number of Crew Members	0

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