Museum Metadata Exchange

Names

Name PrimarySubmarine Collection

Name AlternateHMAS Ovens Collection

IDs

ID LocalWAM 47

ID Urihttp://museum.wa.gov.au/research/collections/maritime-history/maritime-history-boats-and-watercraft

Descriptions

Brief DescriptionThe submarine collection (1,000) is comprised an ex-Royal Australian Navy Oberon-class submarine HMAS Ovens, and associated materials: documents, clothes, possessions, books, mementos, bags, uniforms, and other paraphenalia used by submariners living onboard an Oberon submarine. This includes accoutrements of the galley, officers and crews messes. In addition are the extensive archives of technical material relating to HMAS Ovens as supplied by the Royal Australian Navy. Maritime History staff has also generated an extensive image collection documenting the demolition of HMAS Orion in 2008 as a record to assist with the conservation and preservation of HMAS Ovens and other Oberon submarines displayed in other Australian states.

Full DescriptionThe historical focus for collecting an Oberon submarine is the strategically important role Fremantle played as an allied submarine base during World War II when come 160 Dutch, American and British submarines undertook patrols from there. Between 1942 and 1945, on average, one allied submarine departed Fremantle for a patrol every three days. Some 11 submarines were lost after departing Fremantle, representing the loss of some 800 submariners' lives. The strategic role of Fremantle as a submarine base is further highlighted by the more recently relocation of Australia's submarine fleet to Garden Island north of Fremantle. The focus of the HMAS Ovens collection itself is to display the submarine as if the officers and crew still lived on board and use submarine's technology to highly aspects of marine sciences and technology.

RightsSome material may be subject to copyright.

AccessViewable in exhibitions at WA Maritime Museum, WA Museum in Perth, Albany and Geraldton. Collection storage areas may be accessed by prior appointment.

NoteItem descriptions, specifications, images, conservation & location history available through the WA Museum Maritime History Department's Research and Integrated Collection Management System.

Subjects

local20th century; Defence; Fremantle Slipway and Submarine Precinct; Garden Island; HMAS Ovens; Oberon; Watercraft

pontDocuments; Military vehicles; Submarines; Uniforms; Watercraft

scotFactual texts; Maritime history; Navies; Submarines; Uniforms; Water transport

aptMarine & waterway places & structures; Military & nautical engineering; Naval officers; Navies; Submariners; Submarines

person_orgRoyal Australian Navy

Coverage Spatial

TextInternational; Western Australia

Coverage Temporal

From1960

To1995

Related Collections

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Dates

Date Record Updated2012-05-30 23:42

Date Created in MME2011-03-31 00:17