Fremantle Maritime Museum's Oberon Class Submarine Ovens opened to public

18/12/99
Arts Minister Peter Foss today opened to the public the Fremantle Maritime Museum's Oberon Class Submarine, Ovens.
They will be able to inspect the submarine every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm.
"During the week conservation and display preparation work will be carried out on the Ovens which will be incorporated into the new Maritime Museum," Mr Foss said.
"After active service of nearly three decades, the submarine was offered to the WA Maritime Museum in June 1995 by the Federal Government and the museum took delivery of the Ovens in December last year.
"It will give visitors to the new Maritime Museum a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a fascinating world exhibiting life under the waves.
"Fremantle played a very important role in World War Two as the major submarine base, second only in the Southern Hemisphere to Pearl Harbour.
"The Ovens was one of the defenders of the State and the display is a memorial to the sacrifices that submariners have made over the years."
The Oberon class submarine Ovens, named after early explorer John Ovens, was commissioned on April 15, 1969.
Within the operational submarine there are two generators with the capacity of a large town's power station, the equivalent of 12 road tankers of diesel fuel, a kitchen capable for cooking for 64 sailors, 30 tonnes of fresh water and an airconditioning unit the same size as one in a large public building in Perth.
There are also 22 weapons, including torpedoes and missiles and living quarters for 64 officers and crew.
"The display of the Ovens will be an important feature of the new maritime Museum," Mr Foss said.
The Minister said the project was a product of a major team effort with support from the Royal Australian Navy, the National Submarine History Task Force, Friends of the Submarine Museum and the staff of the WA Maritime Museum.
Media contact: Chris Morris 9321 2222