It was laid down by Vickers Armstrong at Barrow-in-Furness in England on 14 November 1911, launched on 22 May 1913 and commissioned on 28 February 1914. HMAS AE-1, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Besant, RN, departed Blanche Bay at 0700 on 14 September 1914 to patrol off Cape Gazelle and, when she had not returned by 2000, several ships were despatched to search for her. No trace of her was found and she was listed as lost with all hands.