HMS M1 was a submarine of the British Royal Navy, one of four vessels of her class ordered towards the end of the First World War. She sank with the loss of her entire crew in 1925.
The vessels were originally intended as “submarine monitors”, but their purpose had been changed before detailed design began. M1 was fitted with a 12-inch (305mm) gun which was intended for use against surface ships in preference to torpedoes, the argument being that, “No case is known of a ship-of-war being torpedoed when under way at a range outside of 1000 yards”.
Although the gun had an effective range of 15,000 yards (14 km), it was normally fired using a simple bead sight at periscope depth with only the barrel above the water. It was important for the submarine’s gun to sink or disable the target with the first shot, because the gun could only be loaded on the surface.
She was launched on 9 July 1917, but was not involved in active service in the First World War.
In 1923, water leaking into the barrel of the gun resulted in extensive damage to the muzzle when it was fired. She sank with all 69 hands on 12 November 1925 while on an exercise in the English Channel. A Swedish ship, SS Vidar, struck the submerged M1 and sank her in 70 m of water. The collision tore the gun from the hull and water flooded the interior through the open loading hole. The crew members appear to have tried to escape by flooding the interior and opening the escape hatch, but their bodies were never found.
HMS M1HMS M1HMS M1HMS M1HMS M1HMS M1HMS M1 Firing her 12″ GunHMS M1 Gun Explodes After a Leak Allowed Water into the Gun BarrelHMS M1 1925HMS M1HMS M1 in IstanbulHMS M1 in ConstantinopleOfficers in the wardroom of HMS M1. On the table is a silver cock the mascot of Commander Max Horton
Operated by Sydney Harbour Trust, North Head is an ex-army heritage listed site. Staffed by volunteers, the Visitor Centre is an ideal point to start your exploration of the area as they can provide you with an overview of what’s available. Our visit on a Sunday corresponded to the day that a guided tour was running for the site and underground tunnels. For a small fee a guide shows groups around while explaining the importance of each area. Importantly this is the only way to gain access to the tunnels which form a major part of the site.
Getting to North Head
Public Transport
Ferries to Manly run from Circular Quay, taking around 30 minutes for the trip. Alternately, the Manly Fast Ferry takes 20 minutes, but is more expensive. There is a Fast Ferry service to Q Station Wharf, if you want to start here instead of Manly.
From the Manly Ferry Wharf, bus 135 takes 20 minutes to drive to North Head. This bus runs every hour and connects well with the ferry arriving and departing Manly. Located outside the main entrance, bus stops are easy to find.
Walking
Taking 40 minutes, the shortest walk winds through Manly’s streets, past Q Station and onto North Head. A more scenic track runs along the shore, taking you past fantastic clifftop lookouts and historical gun emplacements, before passing Shelly Beach and ending at Manly Beach. At 4.2 km long, the scenic track takes around an hour one way, but has wonderful scenery to enjoy along the way.
Starting at Q Station, a 1.3 km track passes through bush land, passes the Third Quarantine Cemetery before ending at the North Head Sanctuary Visitors’ Centre. This well paved track is an easy 20-minute walk, with great views over Sydney Harbour.
Headstones in the third Quarantine CemeteryHeadstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Driving
Located outside the Visitor Centre is a pay for use car park, which makes driving yourself a convenient option
North Fort Tour
Starting with a short film on Sydney’s history of fortifications which was informative and gave us an insight into their original appearance.
View of South Head From North HeadView of Sydney From North Head
Memorial Walk
The walking tour started with the Memorial Walk which is a paved pathway winding through Australian bush land. Many of the paving stones have been inscribed with the names of servicemen which gives a personal touch to the area.
Progressing along the path takes you to all the memorials for wars Australia has been involved in. Each of the memorials is made of Sydney sandstone and engraved with an overview of the conflict. The Gallipoli Memorial contains the only non-native species in the area, a cutting from the lone pine.
Memorial WalkWorld War 1 MemorialLone Pine Gallipoli Memorial
Fortifications
Continuing to the above ground fortifications we saw the remains of gun emplacements which now consist of concrete structures without any guns. The only remaining gun is a 9.2 inch (23.37 cm) barrel which is on display next to the forts.
9.2 Inch Gun
Underground Tunnels
The highlight of the tour was the underground tunnels. These consist of the rooms and the tunnels needed to service the guns and protect the military personnel manning the forts. Our guide took us through each room, explaining their function and how each was operating when the fort was working.
In the magazine, dummy shells give an idea of the size of the projectiles used and a rack has them set up to show how it would have looked. Even the old diesel generators are in place, giving an idea of the power needed to run the fort.
Well lit with well maintained walkways, the tunnels were easy to walk through with some good photographic opportunities. Stairs in several areas are steep, but not very long, so should not be a problem for most people. Unfortunately, people with mobility issues will not be able to take the underground tour.
Dummy Shells in the MagazineUnderground Diesel Generator in the North Head TunnelsThe TunnelsNorth Head Tunnels
Food and Drinks
At the end of the tour, you can also walk down to the restaurant for food and beverages.
What Did We Think
North Head is a great place to visit, as it covers, Sydney’s history, with fantastic views and bush walks. Being easy to get to either by public transport or car makes it a great day out.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
The Small Arms Factory in Lithgow is a reminder of Australia’s industrial past when the country was self reliant and able to produce its small armaments. Now disused the factory is merely an empty shell, although Thales still operate part of the site. However the old administration building is now a museum displaying items once manufactured there. In addition it displays over 800 handguns in the Hayes Gallery, which is one of the best in the country, housing some rare and unique items.
Parking
Parking is off street in the old employee car park, which provides plenty of space. Entry is via the main doors back on the street, just follow the signs. Once inside, pay the entrance fee to the attendant who will then give you a brief overview of the museum.
The Small Arms Factory Displays
The first room displays some of the non military items manufactured when the demand for guns was low. These ranged from sewing machines, sheep shearing handsets and hand cuffs to medical implants . This leads into some of the larger projects including track shoes for the Leopard tank and M113.
Handcuffs
Sewing Machine
The second floor houses the gun collection with contains a comprehensive display of machine guns, rifles and handguns. Several uniquely Australian items are on display including prototypes and pre-production guns.
Taisho Type 14 Nambu
Machine Guns
Bren Light Machine Gun
Rifles on Display
Double Barrel Percussion Pistol by Deanne’s of London
The exit through the gift shop, where there is an opportunity to purchase die cast guns, mugs, beer coolers and other souvenirs.
Rifle Display
What Did We Think?
Whilst small, it is certainly a great piece of Australian military and industrial history worth seeing when in Lithgow. Another part of Lithgow military heritage is at the Bowenfels gun emplacements which were built to defend the Small Arms Factory.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
