HMAS Watson
Encyclopedia
HMAS Watson is a Royal Australian Navy
(RAN) base located on Sydney Harbour at South Head, near Watsons Bay, New South Wales
. Commissioned in 1945 (after three years operating as HMAS Radar), the base served as the RAN's radar
training school. In 1956, torpedo and anti-submarine warfare training were relocated to the base, and by 2011, Watson was the main maritime warfare training base, as well as providing post-entry education for Seaman Officers, training for Combat System sailors, and command training.
school was shifted there from . The facility initially operated under the name HMAS Radar, but was commissioned as HMAS Watson on 14 March 1945. The base's name comes from its location at Watsons Bay
, which in turn is named after Robert Watson, quartermaster
of the First Fleet
, who operated the nearby Macquarie Lighthouse
for several years after its construction. Torpedo and anti-submarine warfare training were relocated to Watson in 1956.
and executive officer
s. It is also the parent base for RAN personnel studying at Sydney universities.
The facility has a ship's company of 300.
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(RAN) base located on Sydney Harbour at South Head, near Watsons Bay, New South Wales
Watsons Bay, New South Wales
Watsons Bay is a harbourside, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Watsons Bay is located 11 km north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Woollahra....
. Commissioned in 1945 (after three years operating as HMAS Radar), the base served as the RAN's radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
training school. In 1956, torpedo and anti-submarine warfare training were relocated to the base, and by 2011, Watson was the main maritime warfare training base, as well as providing post-entry education for Seaman Officers, training for Combat System sailors, and command training.
History
The RAN first established training facilities at South Head in 1942, when the navy's radarRadar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
school was shifted there from . The facility initially operated under the name HMAS Radar, but was commissioned as HMAS Watson on 14 March 1945. The base's name comes from its location at Watsons Bay
Watsons Bay, New South Wales
Watsons Bay is a harbourside, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Watsons Bay is located 11 km north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Woollahra....
, which in turn is named after Robert Watson, quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior...
of the First Fleet
First Fleet
The First Fleet is the name given to the eleven ships which sailed from Great Britain on 13 May 1787 with about 1,487 people, including 778 convicts , to establish the first European colony in Australia, in the region which Captain Cook had named New South Wales. The fleet was led by Captain ...
, who operated the nearby Macquarie Lighthouse
Macquarie Lighthouse
The Macquarie Lighthouse, also known as South Head Upper Light, was the first, and is the longest serving, lighthouse site in Australia. It is located on Dunbar Head, Vaucluse near the entrance to Sydney Harbour. There has been a navigational aid in this vicinity since 1791 and a lighthouse near...
for several years after its construction. Torpedo and anti-submarine warfare training were relocated to Watson in 1956.
Operations
Watsons main role is for the training of RAN personnel in maritime warfare. In addition, the base provides post-entry training for Seaman Officers in areas of navigation, ship handling, weapons, and sensors; training for Combat System category sailors; and command training for recently promoted commandingCommanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
and executive officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
s. It is also the parent base for RAN personnel studying at Sydney universities.
The facility has a ship's company of 300.