Sandringham Submarine Walk

The J class of submarines was a seven submarine class developed by the Royal Navy prior to the First World War in response to claims that Germany was developing submarines that were fast enough to operate alongside surface fleets. Six were completed during mid-1916, while a seventh entered service at the end of 1917.
Although larger and more powerful than previous British submarines, the J class could not keep up with surface vessels, and operated independently during the war. Between them, the submarines sank a U-boat, and heavily damaged two battleships, with the loss of J6 to friendly shelling.
Following the war, the six surviving submarines were gifted to the Royal Australian Navy(RAN). All six were paid off during the 1920s. Two were scuttled as breakwaters in Port Phillip Bay and four were scuttled in the ship graveyard off Port Phillip heads.  One of them, J7, was the last to go; there were proposals to recommission her for training, and she was routinely used to provide electrical power to the naval depot. However, she was eventually disposed of in 1927, and scuttled at the Sandringham Yacht Club in 1930.

On this walk you can see the remains of this submarine.

Melway Map reference: 76G9 - 76C3
"Maps reproduced from Melway Edition 35 with the permission of Melway Publishing Pty Ltd"

 

 

Toilet Facilities: At Sandringham Railway Station and Sandringham Yacht Club

Coffee Stop: Sandringham Yacht Club

 

Take the train to Sandringham Railway Station. Walk up to Bay Road and cross Beach Road at the lights. Turn right and walk north along the track. Turn left into Jetty Road and walk to the office of the Sandringham Yacht Club to ask for the key to view the remains of the First World War submarine. You will be given instructions to make your way to the submarine.

Enjoy looking at the other yachts moored in the marina. Return the key to the office and make your way back to the track along Jetty Road. 

Continue north along the track until you reach South Road.  

Continue towards Green Point to view the War Memorial. The Cenotaph war memorial was built in 1927 and was used for ANZAC day services for many years. In 1930 Brighton City Council carried out a major extension of Green Point using Sustenance workers (also known as ‘Sussos’), who built stone walls and rock facings to protect the area and stop erosion.

A bit further up from there in the Brighton Beach Gardens and you can view the colourful Brighton Bathing Boxes.

Brighton bathing boxes with the city skyline in the background

 

Return to South Road to cross at the lights to reach Brighton Beach railway station where you end the walk.