aftends

We are now in the aft accommodation area, when the boat was built it was also the aft torpedo room but the invention of guided torpedoes meant that the aft torpedo room could be dispensed with and used for accommodation.

In recent years it was turned into a classroom but it will be restored to its previous condition. The two round blanks were the old torpedo tubes which now are used as oil tanks.

Each side would be bunks for 18 rating usually those involved with the mechanical side of things [stokers,mechanicsand electricians]

Also in this compartment are the auxiliary controls for steering and hydroplanes with the necessary instruments to monitor their operation. Also there is the aft and third oxygen generator , another Signal Ejector and CO2 absorber, like those forward it uses a chemical canister which are heated to give off oxygen.

An interesting observation here, as in the forward compartment there is a torpedo loading hatch, this is now used as the exit for visitors.

Before the submarine dives a "strongback" (or brace) is fitted to strengthen this area and prevent collapse. At sea on the surface these tended to rattle so the men jammed them with a coin. As the boat dives pressure raises and the hull is compressed so much so that an imprint of the coin can be seen where the "strongback" fitted.

Well this is the end of our tour I hope you have enjoyed your visit. We hope that sometime you will come and visit us in person and soak up the atmosphere that even hyperspace cannot reproduce.

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Developed and produced by John Eade for the WA Maritime Museum 2002

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