HMAS Farncomb
{{Short description|1995 Collins-class submarine}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=File:HMAS Farncomb at Pearl Harbor in 2012.jpg |Ship caption=Farncomb arriving at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii ahead of the RIMPAC 2012 exercise }} {{Infobox ship career |Ship country=Australia |Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Australia|naval}} |Ship name=Farncomb |Ship namesake=Rear Admiral Harold Farncomb |Ship builder=Australian Submarine Corporation, Osborne |Ship laid down=3 March 1991 |Ship launched=15 December 1995 |Ship commissioned=31 January 1998 |Ship decommissioned= |Ship homeport=Fleet Base West, Perth |Ship motto="With Skill and Resolve" |Ship nickname= |Ship honours= |Ship status=Active as of 2018 |Ship notes= |Ship badge=Ship's badge }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Ship class={{sclass|Collins|submarine}} |Ship displacement=*3,051 tonnes (surfaced)
|Ship length={{convert|77.42|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|7.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship draught={{convert|7|m|ft|abbr=on}} at waterline |Ship power=3 × Garden Island-Hedemora HV V18b/15Ub (VB210) 18-cylinder diesel motors, 3 × Jeumont-Schneider generators (1,400 kW, 440-volt DC) |Ship propulsion=*Main: 1 × Jeumont-Schneider DC motor (7,200 shp), driving 1 × seven-bladed, {{convert|4.22|m|ft|adj=on|abbr=on}} diameter skewback propeller
|Ship speed=*{{convert|10.5|kn}} (surfaced and snorkel depth)
|Ship range=*{{convert|11000|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}} (surfaced)
|Ship endurance=70 days |Ship test depth=Over {{convert|180|m|ft|abbr=on}} (actual depth classified) |Ship complement=*Originally 42 (plus up to 12 trainees)
|Ship sensors=*Radar:
|Ship EW= |Ship armament=*6 × {{convert|21|in|mm|adj=on}} bow torpedo tubes
|Ship notes=The sonars and combat system are in the process of being updated across the class, to be completed by 2010. These characteristics represent the updated equipment. }} |
HMAS Farncomb (SSG 74) is the second of six {{sclass|Collins|submarine}}s operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Named for Rear Admiral Harold Farncomb, the submarine was laid down in 1993 and launched in December 1995—the first submarine to be completely constructed in Australia. A combination of factors led to Farncomb being the only vessel of her class in operational condition in mid-2009.
Characteristics
{{See also|Collins-class submarine#Characteristics}}
The Collins class is an enlarged version of the {{sclass|Västergötland|submarine|0}} submarine designed by Kockums.{{sfnp|Woolner|2001|p=7}} At {{convert|77.42|m|ft}} in length, with a beam of {{convert|7.8|m|ft}} and a waterline depth of {{convert|7|m|ft}}, displacing 3,051 tonnes when surfaced, and 3,353 tonnes when submerged, they are the largest conventionally powered submarines in the world.{{sfnp|Jones|2001|p=244}}{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=18}} The hull is constructed from high-tensile micro-alloy steel, and are covered in a skin of anechoic tiles to minimise detection by sonar.{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|pp=165–174}}'Built in Australia' Collins rolls out, Jane's Defence Weekly The depth that they can dive to is classified: most sources claim that it is over {{convert|180|m|ft}}.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=19}}{{sfnp|Grazebrook|1995|pp=88–99}}
The submarine is armed with six {{convert|21|in|mm|adj=on}} torpedo tubes, and carry a standard payload of 22 torpedoes: originally a mix of Gould Mark 48 Mod 4 torpedoes and UGM-84C Sub-Harpoon, with the Mark 48s later upgraded to the Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) version.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=18}}{{cite web |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/collins/ |title=SSK Collins Class (Type 471) Submarine |website=Naval Technology.com |access-date=21 September 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2100&tid=950&ct=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116190826/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2100&tid=950&ct=2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 November 2007 |title=Fact File: MK 48 - Heavyweight Torpedo |date=6 December 2013 |website=United States Navy |access-date=21 September 2019}}
Each submarine is equipped with three Garden Island-Hedemora HV V18b/15Ub (VB210) 18-cylinder diesel engines, which are each connected to a 1,400 kW, 440-volt DC Jeumont-Schneider generator.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=18}} The electricity generated is stored in batteries, then supplied to a single Jeumont-Schneider DC motor, which provides 7,200 shaft horsepower to a single, seven-bladed, {{convert|4.22|m|ft|adj=on}} diameter skewback propeller.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=18}}{{sfnp|Grazebrook|1998}} The Collins class has a speed of {{convert|10.5|kn}} when surfaced and at snorkel depth, and can reach {{convert|21|kn}} underwater.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=18}} The submarines have a range of {{convert|11000|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}} when surfaced, {{convert|9000|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}} at snorkel depth.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=18}} When submerged completely, a Collins-class submarine can travel {{convert|32.6|nmi}} at maximum speed, or {{convert|480|nmi}} at {{convert|4|kn}}.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=18}} Each boat has an endurance of 70 days.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=18}}
Construction and trials
Farncomb was laid down by Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) on 3 March 1991.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=18}} She was named for Rear Admiral Harold Farncomb; the first Australian-trained officer promoted to captain, and commanding officer of the flagship {{HMAS|Australia|D84|6}} from 1941 to 1944.{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=340}} Work on the boat was delayed by the need to complete sister boat and class lead {{HMAS|Collins|SSG 73|2}} to a launchable condition by her set launch date of 28 August 1993.{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=188}} To free up resources at ASC for Collins, Farncomb{{'}}s bow section was sent to Newcastle for completion.{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=188}}
Farncomb was launched on 15 December 1995: as she was the first submarine to be completely constructed in Australia (two sections of Collins had been assembled in Sweden), the submarine wore a large Made In Australia logo on the fin.{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|pp=217–218}} The submarine commenced sea trials in September 1996.{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=218}} Lessons learned from the trials of lead boat Collins benefitted Farncomb, with training materials improved and the trials crew instructed to familiarise themselves with the submarine while she was being completed (the crew of Collins had the option to, but most personnel did not).{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=218}} The trial program was impacted on by problems with Collins.{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=188}}{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=219}}
Farncomb was provisionally accepted into service by the RAN at the end of 1997.{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=219}} She was formally commissioned into the RAN on 31 January 1998.{{sfnp|Wertheim|2013|p=18}}
Operational history
In May 1997, two groups of six female sailors were posted to Collins and Farncomb as a test on the feasibility of mixed-sex crews aboard submarines.{{sfnp|Jones|2001|p=283}} Following the trial's success, eleven female sailors and one female officer commenced training for the submarine service in 1998.{{sfnp|Brower|2000|p=33}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/military-international/ |title=Indepth: Women in the military – international |date=30 May 2006 |website=CBS News |accessdate=19 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629013227/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/military-international/ |archive-date=29 June 2006}}
In 1998, while returning from Timor, all three of Farncomb{{'}}s diesel generators broke down.{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=188}}{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=292}} The submarine limped to Darwin, where she waited several weeks for replacement parts to be organised and transported.{{sfnp|Yule|Woolner|2008|p=292}}
As part of combat system trials, Farncomb fired a live Mark 48 Mod 4 torpedo at {{HMAS|Torrens|DE 53|6}} on 14 June 1999, sinking the decommissioned destroyer escort.{{sfnp|Spurling|2001|p=287}}
On 19 March 2007, during a five-month intelligence-gathering mission in Asian waters, fishing lines became entangled in Fancomb{{'}}s propeller.{{sfnp|Stewart|2009a|pp=1–2}}{{sfnp|Stewart|2009b|pp=1–2}} The submarine surfaced in international waters during the night, and five sailors were out on the casing attempting to free the propeller when the weather suddenly worsened and the sailors were washed overboard.{{sfnp|Stewart|2009a|pp=1–2}} A rescue party, involving three volunteer swimmers was successful in retrieving the five sailors during a ninety-minute effort, and the submarine continued on without detection.{{sfnp|Stewart|2009a|pp=1–2}}{{sfnp|Stewart|2009b|pp=1–2}} The incident remained classified until August 2009, when the RAN nominated the three rescue swimmers for bravery decorations, the first submariners to be nominated since a 1981 incident aboard {{HMAS|Onslow}}.{{sfnp|Stewart|2009b|pp=1–2}}
In 2008 and 2009, personnel shortages reduced the number of submarines able to be deployed to three, with the maintenance schedule and battery malfunctions on several boats combining to reduce this to one, Farncomb in mid-2009.{{sfnp|Fish|2009}}{{sfnp|McPhedran|2009}}
On the morning of 13 March 2009, Farncomb was one of seventeen warships involved in a ceremonial fleet entry and fleet review in Sydney Harbour, the largest collection of RAN ships since the Australian Bicentenary in 1988.{{sfnp|Brooke|2009|p=11}} The submarine did not participate in the fleet entry, but was anchored in the harbour for the review.
In January 2010, Farncomb was forced to return to port for urgent repairs after a generator failure.{{sfnp|Oakes|2010}} This left sister boat {{HMAS|Waller|SSG 75|2}} as the only fully operational submarine, with {{HMAS|Collins|SSG 73|2}} on restricted duties, and the other three submarines undergoing repairs or maintenance.{{sfnp|Oakes|2010}}
In August 2011, Farncomb suddenly lost propulsion while using the schnorkel at periscope depth off Rottnest Island. The restart did not function, and the boat began falling backwards. A full emergency ballast blow brought the submarine to the surface, and the engine was restarted.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/sailors-feared-worst-as-submarine-hmas-farncomb-sank/news-story/41d8e9da7b9a021f3dd86a2d5b422e85 |title=Sailors feared worst as sub sank |first=Cameron |last=Stewart |date=9 September 2011 |newspaper=The Australian |accessdate=31 August 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417193009/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/sailors-feared-worst-as-submarine-hmas-farncomb-sank/news-story/41d8e9da7b9a021f3dd86a2d5b422e85 |archive-date=17 April 2017}}
Farncomb was deployed to Hawaii to participate in the 2012 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational exercise.{{cite news |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/australian-sub-springs-a-leak/story-e6frea6u-1226435403875 |title=Australian submarine Farncomb springs a leak |agency=Australian Associated Press (AAP) |date=26 July 2012 |work=AdelaideNow |accessdate=28 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829030824/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/australian-sub-springs-a-leak/story-e6frea6u-1226435403875 |archive-date=29 August 2012}} On 22 July, the submarine fired a Mark 48 torpedo at the former ammunition ship {{USNS|Kilauea|T-AE-26|6}}, breaking the ship in two and sinking her.{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/act-news/blogs/in-your-defence/aussie-sub-sinks-american-ship-20120724-22n0l.html |title=In Your Defence: Aussie sub sinks American ship |last=Ellery |first=David |date=24 July 2012 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=28 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727014251/http://www.smh.com.au/act-news/blogs/in-your-defence/aussie-sub-sinks-american-ship-20120724-22n0l.html |archive-date=27 July 2012}}{{cite journal |last=Mathews |first= William |date=April 2013 |title=Sinking Ships |journal=The Navy |publisher=Navy League of Australia |volume=75 |issue=2 |page=12 |issn=1322-6231}} A few days later, a hose in the submarine's weight compensation system split while the boat was recharging her batteries, causing flooding. Farncomb surfaced from periscope depth without major incident and sailed to Pearl Harbor for repairs.
In October 2013, Farncomb was the only submarine to participate in the International Fleet Review 2013 in Sydney.{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/participants/warships |title=International Fleet Review 2013: Participating Warships |date=2013 |website=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=14 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210092404/http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/participants/warships |archive-date=10 December 2013}} During November 2013, Farncomb participated in the Black Carillion 2013 submarine escape training exercise.{{cite news |url=http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/525730/20131128/australia-submarines-adf-defence.htm |title=Navy's Submarine Force Simulates Sea Evacuation; DMO upgrades submarines |last=Yenko |first=Athena |date=28 November 2013 |work=International Business Times |access-date=6 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202053719/http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/525730/20131128/australia-submarines-adf-defence.htm |archive-date=2 December 2013 }} She began a full docking cycle refit in 2014, with most of her crew transferring across to {{HMAS|Rankin|SSG 78|6}}.{{cite news |last1=Casson |first1=Neil |title=Rankin returns home |url=http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Oct2014/Fleet/1477#.VDj5h_mSwlI |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141011094019/http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Oct2014/Fleet/1477%23.VDj5h_mSwlI |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 October 2014 |accessdate=11 October 2014 |work=Navy Daily |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |date=11 October 2014 }} She returned to the Fleet in August 2016.{{cite web |url=http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Aug2016/Fleet/3095 |title=HMAS Farncomb: another success story of the Coles Review |last=Nixon |first=Daniel |date=3 August 2016 |website=Navy Daily |access-date=21 September 2019 |archive-date=21 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921123522/http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Aug2016/Fleet/3095 |url-status=dead }}
Farncomb returned to base at Fleet Base West, Rockingham, in August 2019 after a five month deployment during which she participated in the international exercises Bersama Shield, Pacific Vanguard and Talisman Sabre.{{cite web |url=https://navaltoday.com/2019/08/30/australian-sub-home-after-five-months-of-drills/ |title=Australian sub home after five months of drills |date=30 August 2019 |website=Naval Today |access-date=21 September 2019}}
In October 2022 Farncomb visited Yokosuka in Japan to participate in an international fleet review organised to mark the 70th anniversary of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.{{cite web |title=Royal Australian Navy arrived in Japan to celebrate the International Fleet Review |url=https://japan.embassy.gov.au/tkyo/RoyalAustralianNavy_Oct2022.html |publisher=Australian Embassy Tokyo |access-date=27 November 2022}}
In September 2023, Farncomb suffered a small electrical fire while on routine patrol. The Australian Defence Forces stated that the crew quickly extinguished the fire and no crew members were injured. The ship continued on patrol.{{Cite web |website=Sky News Australia |date=September 26, 2023 |title=Ageing Collins-class submarine catches fire at sea raising further questions about planned extension of service till AUKUS |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/defence-and-foreign-affairs/aging-collinsclass-submarine-catches-fire-at-sea-raising-further-questions-about-planned-extension-of-service-till-aukus/news-story/14dd384ad8e7124109edf292a478db84}}
HMAS Farncomb is expected to undergo sustainment and capability enhancements under the Life-of-Type Extension (LOTE) program in 2026, extending her service life into the 2030's. She will be the first Collins-class submarine to receive the upgrades.{{Cite web |website=Australian Ministry of Defence |date=June 4, 2024 |title=Government approves next phase of Collins Class life-of-type extension |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2024-06-05/government-approves-next-phase-collins-class-life-type-extension}}
{{clear}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Bibliography
=Books=
- {{cite book |last=Jones |first=Peter |editor-last=Stevens |editor-first=David |title=The Royal Australian Navy |series=The Australian Centenary History of Defence |volume=III |year=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=South Melbourne, VIC |isbn=0-19-555542-2 |oclc=50418095 |chapter=A Period of Change and Uncertainty}}
- {{cite book |last=Spurling |first=Kathryn |editor-last=Stevens |editor-first=David |title=The Royal Australian Navy |series=The Australian Centenary History of Defence |volume=III |year=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=South Melbourne, VIC |isbn=0-19-555542-2 |oclc=50418095 |chapter=The Era of Defence Reform}}
- {{cite book |last1=Yule |first1=Peter |last2=Woolner |first2=Derek |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qZ-WlswoHFwC |title=The Collins Class Submarine Story: Steel, Spies and Spin |year=2008 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Port Melbourne, VIC |isbn=978-0-521-86894-5 |oclc=213111359 |accessdate=1 May 2009 |via=Google Books}}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Wertheim |editor-first=Eric |editor-link=Eric Wertheim |date=2013 |title=Combat Fleets of the World |edition=16th |location=Annapolis, Md. |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=978-1-59114-954-5}}
=Journal and news articles=
- {{cite news |url=http://navynews.realviewdigital.com/?iid=23701&xml=defencenews_navy.xml |title=Marching into History |last=Brooke |first=Michael |date=2 April 2009 |work=Navy News |publisher=Department of Defence}}
- {{cite journal |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2000/june/enemy-below-brass-above |last=Brower |first=J. Michael |title=The Enemy [Below]... The Brass Above |date=June 2000 |journal=U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings |publisher=United States Naval Institute |volume=126 |issue=6 |page=33 |issn=0041-798X}}
- {{cite journal |last=Fish |first=Tim |date=8 April 2009 |title=Australia moves to avert submarine manning crisis |journal=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
- {{cite journal |last=Grazebrook |first=A.W. |date=1 December 1995 |title=RAN prepares for Collins class |journal=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group |volume=100 |issue=6}}
- {{cite journal |last=Grazebrook |first=A.W. |date=1 January 1998 |title=Collins class comes up Down Under |journal=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group |volume=103 |issue=1}}
- {{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25515669-421,00.html |title=Only one submarine left to defend Australia |last=McPhedran |first=Ian |author-link=Ian McPhedran |date=21 May 2009 |work=The Advertiser |accessdate=28 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523101808/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25515669-421,00.html |archive-date=23 May 2009}}
- {{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/two-subs-out-of-action-for-9-years-20100210-nsgh.html |title=Two subs out of action for 9 years |last=Oakes |first=Dan |date=11 February 2010 |newspaper=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |accessdate=12 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160321023819/http://www.theage.com.au/national/two-subs-out-of-action-for-9-years-20100210-nsgh.html |archive-date=21 March 2016}}
- {{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26094798-31477,00.html |title=How freak wave hit secret submarine mission of HMAS Farncomb |last=Stewart |first=Cameron |date=19 September 2009a |newspaper=The Australian |accessdate=24 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923164915/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26094798-31477,00.html |archive-date=23 September 2009}}
- {{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26094797-31477,00.html |title=Sailors washed off submarine as rescue kept quiet |last=Stewart |first=Cameron |date=19 September 2009b |newspaper=The Australian |accessdate=24 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930041247/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26094797-31477,00.html |archive-date=30 September 2009}}
- {{cite journal |last=Woolner |first=Derek |date=18 September 2001 |title=Procuring Change: How Kockums was Selected for the Collins Class Submarine |journal=Research Paper |publisher=Department of the Parliamentary Library |location=Canberra |volume=2001–02 |issue=4 |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rp/2001-02/02RP04.pdf |access-date=24 April 2009 |issn=1328-7478 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013123556/http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/pubs/rp/2001-02/02RP04.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2010 }}
External links
{{Commons}}
- {{official website|http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-farncomb}}
{{Australian submarines}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Farncomb, Hmas}}
Category:Collins-class submarines
Category:Ships built in South Australia