About This Unit
The Complex Chronology of HMAS Penguin
HMAS Penguin (I)
The first HMAS Penguin was a forner Royal Navy Sloop, recommissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as HMAS Penguin on 1 July 1913. She remained as a Depot Ship berthed at Garden Island until 1 January 1923 when she paid off for disposal.
https://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-penguin-i (www.navy.gov.au)
HMAS Penguin (II)
The second iteration of the name was the former light cruiser HMAS Encounter, part of the Australian Fleet that entered Sydney Harbour for the first time on 4 October 1913. Encounter was renamed Penguin (II) on 1 January 1923 and assumed responsibilities as the Navy's depot and accommodation ship at Garden Island. She was paid off for disposal on 15 October 1929 https://www.navy.gov.au/establishments/hmas-penguin (www.navy.gov.au)
HMAS Penguin (III)
This iteration of the name began service as HMAS Platypus, a Submarine and Destroyer Tender and Fleet Repair Ship. Platypus commissioned as Penguin (III) on 16 August 1929 to replace Penguin (II) and became the new depot and accommodation ship at Garden Island. She continued in this role until 26 February 1941 when, recommissioned HMAS Platypus, she resumed sea service as a Training Ship. https://www.navy.gov.au/establishments/hmas-penguin (www.navy.gov.au)
See the related entry for the further WW2 service of HMAS Penguin (IV), (/explore/units/3453) in Brisbane!
Contributed by Karen Standen 2021