Famous Ships and Boats

In history, movies, books, on exhibit

War ships, ship tragedies, steam ships, yachts, and more

with Images and Information

Sort by

Australian Ships and Boats

AE1, HMAS — Australia E-class submarine, British built
The first Royal Australian Navy submarine and the first allied vessel lost in World War I with a crew of 35. She was assigned to the capture of the German Pacific colony of New Guinea at the outbreak of the World War I. LAUNCHED: 1913, May 18 → FATE: Lost at sea September 14, 1914; her wreckage located at a depth of 300 meters off the Duke of York Islands.

Australia II — Australian racing yacht
First winning challenge to the New York Yacht Club's 132 year hold on the America's Cup during the 1983 America's Cup Race. The legality of her winged keel, which gave her advantage in maneuverability and heeling moment, was challenged by the NYYC but upheld. LAUNCHED: 1982 → FATE: On display at the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle.

(Another )

Cerberus, HMVS — Australian breastwork monitor; iron-clad
On her maiden voyage from Chatham, England to Melbourne, Australia, she traveled 123 days and over 12,700 miles (20,400 km) with the assistance of temporary sails and frequent stops to refuel wherever possible. During her life, she never left Port Philip Bay and never fired in anger. LAUNCHED: 1868, December 18 → FATE: Sunk as breakwater on September 2, 1926 off Half Moon Bay becoming a popular site for scuba diving.

Hammersly, HMAS — Australian Armidale-class patrol boat
Setting for the Australian television drama Sea Patrol, from 2007-2011. Several ships were used in filming; first portrayed by two real Fremantle-class patrol boats, then for the second season, two Armidale-class patrol boat were used to represent Hammersley LAUNCHED: 2007 → FATE: Inconclusive.

Kaz II — Australian catamaran yacht
Three men sailing aboard their yacht mysteriously vanish without a trace off the north-eastern coast of Australia. The fate of her crew is still unknown and the circumstances in which they disappeared can be compared to that of Marie Celeste. LAUNCHED: 1989 → FATE: Unknown.

Ocean Dover, MV — Australian livestock carrier
The largest livestock carrier in the world designed and built with special livestock support systems. She is capable of carrying 75,000 sheep or 18,000 cattle across oceans. In 2014, a fire broke out in the crew quarters, but was contained. LAUNCHED: 2002 → FATE: Still in service.

Sailrocket 2 — Australian speed sailboat
Built to capture the class D sailing speed record, piloted by the project leader Paul Larsen at 65.45 knots in Walvis Bay, Namibia. In 2008, before crashing, the first Sailrocket reached a reported unofficial speed of 52.22 knots. LAUNCHED: 2011, March → FATE: Still racing.

Page 2

Solar Sailor — Australian passenger ferry
First vessel to be efficiently powered by both wind and sun. She was a unique hybrid ferry propelled by solar or wind energy, battery, or diesel. LAUNCHED: 2000 → FATE: Currently operating in Sydney Harbour.

Sydney, HMAS — Australia Leander-class light cruiser
The most devastating loss of life for the Royal Australian Navy when 645 personnel went down with the ship during the battle with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran. The wrecks of Sydney and the Kormoran were discovered off the coast of Shark Bay in 2008. The Australians who died are commemorated at the Australian War Memorial. LAUNCHED: 1934, September 22 → FATE: Sunk by the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran, November 19, 1941 off the coast of Western Australia.

Waratah, SS — Australian steamship
Known as the Australia's Titanic, she disappeared en route with 211 passengers and crew aboard. To this day, no trace of the ship has been found. LAUNCHED: 1908, October → FATE: Disappeared without trace south of Durban, July of 1909.

The number of Australian Ships and Boats listed is 10

The contents of this page are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license and the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL).

For a full list of all ships, select HERE

First Ship on each page
Page	Ship Name (Country and Type)
1.	Australia II (Australian racing yacht)
2.	Solar Sailor (Australian passenger ferry)

Australian Ships and Boats
1.	Australia II Australian racing yacht
2.	Cerberus, HMVS Australian breastwork monitor
3.	Hammersly, HMAS Australian Armidale-class patrol boat
4.	Kaz II Australian catamaran
5.	Ocean Dover, MV Australian livestock carrier
6.	Sailrocket 2 Australian speed sailboat
7.	Solar Sailor Australian passenger ferry
8.	Sydney, HMAS Australia Leander-class light cruiser
9.	Waratah, SS Australian steamship