AE2 Submarine Tribute an Anzac 100 Cruise Highlight

Following the return of Anzac Ballot ticket holders on Anzac Day 2015, Azamara Journey departs for Istanbul.  En-route the cruise makes a sail-past at the actual Sea of Marmara site where the Australian AE2 submarine lies. 

Dr John V Basarin, 2010 RSL Anzac Peace Prize recipient, will share stories of its daring feats aboard.  There will also be a short acknowledgement and floral tribute.

In 1915, as the ANZACS made land at Gallipoli, one allied vessel made it through the Dardanelles Strait.  An Australian AE2 submarine ran the gauntlet of mines, Turkish guns and enemy ships as it negotiated the Narrows and slipped into to the Sea of Marmara.

The AE2 harassed Turkish shipping for five days before being hit by a torpedo fired from the Sultanhisar.  It was scuttled by her crew and went to the bottom, 73m down, where it lay until rediscovered in 1998. 

Dr John V Basarin has been involved in research undertaken by a team sponsored by the Australian Geographic as well as the establishment of AE2 memorials in Australia and Turkey.  His co-authored book Beneath the Dardanelles: The Australian Submarine at Gallipoli is the definitive guide to AE2 story.

Today AE2 is a beacon of peace and co-operation between two nations that symbolises a common Turkish and Australian heritage.  AE2 did not sink any Turkish ship and all of her crew was saved by the Turkish sailors aboard Sultanhisar.

The only Anzac Centenary travel endorsed by Australian Geographic, the Epic Cruise is a private charter of Azamara Journey, in the top 25 luxury cruise liners of its class globally.  The cruise is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Not just to participate in one extraordinary moment.  But to glimpse back in time, from ancient civilisations to futile conflict.  And discover their astonishing stories.