HMAS Watson

HMAS *Watson*
HMAS Watson
Part of South Head / Watsons Bay, New South Wales in Australia
	HMAS Watson from Sydney Harbour in 2021
	HMAS Watson Location in Sydney
Coordinates	33°50′13″S 151°16′48″E / 33.837°S 151.280°E
Type	Naval training base
Site information
Owner	Department of Defence
Operator	Royal Australian Navy (1942 – 1967);; Royal Australian Navy(1967 – present)
Site history
Built	1942
In use	1942 – present
Garrison information
Current; commander	Captain RAN

HMAS Watson is a

electronic warfare

sailors, and command training.

History

The base's name is derived from its location at

harbour pilot and harbourmaster of the new colony.^[2] In 1818, Governor Lachlan Macquarie commissioned the Macquarie Lighthouse appointing Watson as the first superintendent of the lighthouse. Today, the Macquarie Lighthouse is depicted in the centre of the crest of HMS Watson.^[3]

South Head was recognised as an important site for the young colony and, as early as the first year of settlement, a signal gun from HMS Sirius was installed at South Head in order to indicate the arrival of any ships.^[2]

The first permanent military presence on South Head commenced in 1871 with the development of Coastal artillery emplacements to defend the Port of Sydney. The first barracks, occupied by members of the NSW Artillery, were completed 19 March 1877. Extensions were added in 1880 to accommodate additional personnel. Many of the early barracks constructions are still standing.^[3]

The RAN first established training facilities at South Head in 1942, when the navy's radar school was shifted there from HMAS Rushcutter.^[1]^: 126 The facility initially operated under the name HMAS Radar, but was commissioned as HMAS Watson on 14 March 1945.^[1]^: 126^[4] Torpedo and anti-submarine warfare training were relocated to Watson in 1956.^[1]^: 126

Facilities and operational units

Watson's main role is for the training of RAN personnel in maritime warfare.^[1]^: 125 In addition, the base provides post-entry training for maritime warfare officers in areas of navigation, ship handling, tactics, weapons, and sensors; training for combat system operator and electronic warfare category sailors; and command training for recently promoted commanding and executive officers.^[1]^: 125 It is also the parent base for RAN personnel studying at Sydney universities.^[4]^: 584

The facility has a ship's company of 300.^[1]^: 126