HMAS Onslow
H M A S Onslow is one
of the distinguished Oberon-class submarines, which were formerly operated by
the esteemed Royal Australian Navy. This remarkable vessel was aptly named
after the town of Onslow, located in Western Australia, as well as in honor of
Sir Alexander Onslow, the esteemed third Chief Justice of Western Australia.
The motto and badge of this submarine are derived from the rich heritage of the
Onslow family.
The construction of Onslow was initiated in 1963, and it
was skillfully laid down by the renowned Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering
Company in Scotland towards the end of 1967. Almost a year later, this
exceptional submarine was launched with great pride and was officially
commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy at the conclusion of 1969. The
distinguished Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, had the honor of
launching Onslow on 3 December 1968, adding a touch of regality to this momentous
occasion.
The motto of Onslow, "Festina Lente," which
translates to "Hasten Slowly" in Latin, is a shared sentiment with
the Onslow family. Furthermore, the ship's badge proudly displays a judge's
wig, symbolizing the connection to Sir Alexander Onslow's esteemed position as
Chief Justice. It is worth noting that while this is the sole usage of the name
by the Royal Australian Navy, two surface ships of the Royal Navy have
previously been bestowed with the honorable title of H M S Onslow.
The submarine, Onslow,
boasts impressive dimensions, measuring 295.2 feet (90.0 meters) in length,
with a beam of 26.5 feet (8.1 meters) and a draught of 18 feet (5.5 meters)
when surfaced. At full load displacement, Onslow displaces 2,030 tons when surfaced
and 2,410 tons when submerged. Its two propeller shafts are each powered by an
English Electric motor, delivering 3,500 brake horsepower and 4,500 shaft
horsepower. The necessary electricity is generated by two Admiralty Standard
Range supercharged V 16 diesel generators. These remarkable specifications
enable the submarine to reach speeds of up to 12 knots (22 kilometers per hour
or 14 miles per hour) on the surface and up to 17 knots (31 kilometers per hour
or 20 miles per hour) when submerged. Onslow's capabilities extend to a test
depth of 200 meters (660 feet) below sea level.
Upon its launch, Onslow accommodated a crew of 8 officers
and 56 sailors, a number that increased to 60 sailors by the time of its
decommissioning. Additionally, the submarine had the capacity to carry up to 16
trainees. Setting it apart from its counterparts, Onslow is equipped with a
four-man diver access hatch, facilitating the deployment and retrieval of
special forces divers.
Throughout its illustrious career, Onslow achieved
several notable milestones. It became the first conventionally powered
submarine to be outfitted with anti-ship missiles, solidifying its position as
a trailblazer in naval technology. Demonstrating its prowess in combat
simulations, Onslow impressively sank a seven-ship flotilla during Exercise
Kangaroo 3 in 1980 and even managed to take down the formidable United States
supercarrier, USS Carl Vinson, during RIMPAC 1998.
The primary armament of
the Onslow submarine consists of six 21-inch (53 centimetre) bow torpedo tubes,
which possess the capability to launch torpedoes or deploy sea mines.
Initially, the British Mark 8 torpedo was employed by the submarine, but it was
subsequently replaced by the wire-guided Mark 23. During a refit spanning from
1982 to 1984, the Onslow submarine achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the
first conventionally-powered submarine worldwide to be equipped with anti-ship
missiles, specifically the UGM-84 Sub Harpoon. Simultaneously, the United
States Mark 48 wire-guided torpedo replaced the Mark 23 torpedoes. By 1996, the
standard payload of the Onslow submarine comprised a combination of 20 Mark 48
Mod 4 torpedoes and Sub Harpoon missiles. Additionally, the torpedo tubes could
be utilized to deploy Mark 5 Stonefish sea mines, thereby offering flexibility
in payload options.
The secondary armament of the submarine encompassed two
stern-mounted, short-length 21-inch (53 centimetre) torpedo tubes. Originally
intended for use against pursuing submarines, these tubes became obsolete with
the advent of steerable wire-guided torpedoes shortly after the submarine's
commissioning. Consequently, during the 1982-1984 refit, these tubes were
sealed off. The aft tubes were primarily employed to launch Mark 20
anti-submarine torpedoes.
Following its decommissioning in March 1999, the Onslow
submarine found a new home at the Australian National Maritime Museum in April,
where it is meticulously preserved as a museum ship.
On 30 March 1999, the
esteemed vessel Onslow was decommissioned from service. Throughout its active
duty, Onslow gallantly traversed an impressive distance of 358,068 nautical
miles (equivalent to 663,142 kilometers or 412,057 miles). Coinciding with this
momentous occasion, the sister ship Otama was permanently reassigned to the
submarine base at H M A S Stirling in Western Australia, thereby paving the way
for the closure of H M A S Platypus.
In a gesture of great significance, the Australian
National Maritime Museum was bestowed with the honor of receiving the submarine
as a gift in April 1999. Subsequently, on 3 May 1999, Onslow was towed from
Platypus to its new home at the museum, nestled within the picturesque Darling
Harbour. Adjacent to the museum's other esteemed warship, H M A S Vampire,
Onslow was ceremoniously unveiled to the public on 1st June 1999, marking a
momentous occasion.
Notably, Onslow holds the distinction of being the second
R A N submarine to be preserved as a museum ship, following in the footsteps of
its sister vessel, H M A S Ovens. H M A S Ovens, having been decommissioned at
the close of 1998, found its place of honor at the Western Australian Maritime
Museum. As of 2004, Onslow stands proudly among the illustrious ranks of seven
Oberon-class submarines preserved in this esteemed manner.
In conclusion, H M
A S Onslow stands as a testament to the Royal Australian Navy's commitment to
excellence and its rich heritage. This remarkable submarine, with its
distinguished name and symbolic motto, serves as a reminder of the esteemed
individuals and places that have shaped Australia's naval history.
Comments
Post a Comment