Fremantle, the state’s capital, is located in Western Australia at the mouth of the Swan River. The city was named after Charles Fremantle, an English naval officer who established the camp at the site and pronounced possession of Western Australia. During World War II, Fremantle was the 2nd largest base for Allied submarines operating in the Pacific Theater. Up to 125 U.S., 31 British and 11 Free Dutch Submarines operated out of Fremantle, until the Americans moved forward to the Philippines.