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 At the end of World War II Australia was without a submarine element to its fleet.
Yet the need still existed. At first the Royal Navy submarines stayed on but as the
time came for their relief and refits they made their way back to the UK. Then in
1949 an agreement between the Australian, New Zealand and British governments where
costs were shared, the Royal Navy based its 4th Submarine flotilla in Sydney under
the command of Commander I.L.M. McGeoch DSO, DSC, RN.
This provided a tactical presence, the ability to train anti-submarine forces and
generally build up the infrastructure that is needed to support a submarine force.
By 1950, six RN submarines were based at Sydney and in the 1960s had gained enough
expertise in maintenance that refits were carried out. This agreement lasted for
nearly20 years. During this time the RN and RAN exchanged officers and crew to improve
training and broaden experience. When, in 1969, it came time for the Royal Navy to
leave, the Australian Submarine flotilla was in good shape.
 Oberon Class
- THE STORY
The fourth and more permanent attempt to establish the Royal Australian Navy's
Submarine Service began with the purchase in1963 from Scotts Shipbuilding at Greenock
in Scotland for eight Oberon class submarines. This was later reduced to six. The
first was appropriately named HMAS Oxley and arrived in Sydney in August 1967. In
August of that year the Submarine Support Depot HMAS Platypus was commissioned for
the support of the new submarines.
Over the next ten years HMAS Otway, Ovens, Onslow, Orion and Otama followed it.
During the last thirty years these submarines have given excellent service. During
the 80s they went through refits that equipped them with the latest in operational
and tactical systems, only surpassed by the new Collins class now coming into service.
During their time in service they were often proven to be a capable non-nuclear submarine,
able to uphold the highest in submarine operating standards. At approximately their
half life stage, a very ambitious and successful modernisation took the boats into
the modern missile age, providing the Oberons with the capability of the United States
Navy's Mark 48 wire guided torpedo and Harpoon missile.
As part of the Government's Two Ocean Navy Policy (dividing the Fleet in two,
with one half based in Sydney and the other half homeported in Western Australia)
the decision was made to homeport submarines at HMAS Stirling, with the first being
HMAS Oxley in 1987. In 1994, the Commander of the Australian Submarine Squadron moved
his Headquarters from HMAS Platypus to HMAS Stirling.
The Oberon class have now ended their operational life. The submarines Oxley,
Otway, Ovens, Orion and Onslow have all been withdrawn from service. The last,
Otama,
was retired from service late 2000.
The Aussie Oberons
The launching of a ship or submarine is a dramatic occasion
involving thousands of tones of steel moving from dry land into the sea. The ritual
of breaking a bottle to launch the ship is a custom which started in the early days
of the Georgian monarchs, and there are other launching customs which reach back
in history to early sailors. The commissioning of a ship is a less dramatic event
but one that is even more important to the Navy. It signifies the completion of construction,
contractor trials and the handing over of the ownership of the ship from the builder
to the Navy.The tradition of commissioning predates the formation
of the first European Royal Navies, in the days before they had to own fleets, would
commission or charter ships from private owners to go off and fight their troublesome
neighbours or sail off in search of new trade routes and riches. In turn, privateers
could seek royal approval for their ventures in the form of a commission. Indeed,
Christopher Columbus sought, and was granted, a commission by the Spanish Royal family
in his search for a quicker route to the East Indies. Without the Royal commission
a privateer was considered to be a pirate. The tradition continued after the first
navies were formed and marked the handing over of the ship from the ship builder
to the Navy.
The commissioning ceremony marks the introduction into
service of a ship as a unit of the Royal Australian Navy. At the moment of breaking
the commissioning pennant, the ship becomes the responsibility of the Commanding
Officer who, together with the Officers and Ship's Companies, have the duty of making
and keeping the submarines ready for any service required by our nation in peace
or war.
The distinctive mark of a RAN ship in commission, other
than the Australian White Ensign, is a flag or pennant at the masthead. The modern
Royal Australian Navy commissioning pennant is the red cross of St. George at the
hoist with a white fly.
Members of commissioning crews have a special affinity with THEIR ships, and develop a relationship that is everlasting.
According to tradition, a member of a ship’s commissioning
detail, in the days of wooden vessels, had the right to take a plank from her deck
when she was decommissioned. They became known as Plankowners and this section
is dedicated to the plank owners of the RAN Oberon class submarines.
The Royal Australian Navy operated six Oberon class submarines
from the 27th March 1967, with the commissioning of HMAS Oxley, until the 15th December
2000 when HMAS Otama payed off.
| Legend: |
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|
 Biography |
|
 HMAS
OXLEY - "PATIENCE AND STRENGTH"
27 March 1967 - 13 February 1992
The first of the Royal Australian Navy's Oberon-class submarines, HMAS
Oxley was
laid down on July 2, 1964 at Scott's Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd. at Greenock,
Renfrewshire, Scotland and launched on Friday, September 24,1965
Oxley
by Lady Downer,
wife of Sir Alexander Downer, Australian High Commissioner in the United Kingdom.
Oxley was the 37th submarine built by Scotts.
HMAS Oxley was formally commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy at a ceremony
at Greenock at 1100 on 27 March, 1967, in the presence of the Captain and Ship's
Company. This ceremony marked the re-introduction of a submarine force into the RAN
after an absence of 35 years.
Departing the United Kingdom on June 12,1967 and sailing via Bermuda, Panama and
Hawaii, HMAS Oxley reached Brisbane on August 13, and Sydney on August 18, 1967.
On arrival at Sydney, she moored at HMAS Platypus, the new RAN submarine base which
commissioned on the day of Oxley's arrival. During her 25 years
of service she steamed over 400,000 nautical miles.
HMAS Oxley paid off at HMAS Stirling, Fleet Base West and was cut
up for scrap. Her fin is preserved at the Submarine Training Centre at HMAS
Stirling
(Flying the Skull & Cross Bones) and other sections, including the bow are on
display at the WA Maritime Museum at Fremantle, WA.
 History
The first HMAS Oxley was laid down in 1925 as OA1 in the yards of Vickers Limited
of Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, England. She was named after John
Oxley
who was
born at Kirkham Abbey near York (UK).
He joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman in 1799 and was assistant navigator of HMS
Buffalo which arrived in Sydney in 1802 and was involved in survey work along the
New South Wales coast. He was appointed captain of Buffalo in 1805, and went on to
become the Surveyor General of New South Wales and a famous explorer. The submarine's
motto was "Patience and Strength", and its crest is a
Buffalo's head, symbolic
of HMS Buffalo.
HMAS Oxley was commissioned into the RAN on 1 April, 1927. Along with her sister
HMAS Otway she initially operated with the Royal Navy's 5th Submarine Squadron. These
two boats finally departed from Portsmouth bound for Australia on 28 February, 1928.
The onboard excitement would have been short lived if it was known the voyage, the
longest unescorted passage undertaken by British submarines at that time, would eventually
take 12 months!
Ordered to make the voyage to Australia on the surface, with no diving to be undertaken,
they encountered appalling weather during the passage through the Bay of Biscay.
On arrival at Malta the weather-beaten submarines were both found to have developed
cracks in their engine room columns and were subsequently laid-up for the next eight
months until fitted with engine columns of a different design. They finally sailed
for Australia in November, 1928 reaching Sydney on 1 February, 1929.
Regrettably their active careers with the RAN were cut short by the world-wide depression
which saw both HMA Submarines Oxley and Otway paid-off into active reserve in late
1929 as part of a heavy cut in defence expenditure. Twice a month they were taken
to sea for diving exercises. Eventually because of the great difficulty and expense
in trying to maintain them, the decision was made to transfer them to the Royal Navy,
this taking place on 10 April, 1931 with them retaining their original names.
HMS Oxley was due for replacement when World War 2 broke out with her operating in
Norwegian waters. Tragically the war was only a week old when she was torpedoed and
sunk in error by HM Submarine Triton off Stavanger. Oxley had the dubious distinction
of being the first British submarine to be lost in the conflict. |
COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS
OXLEY - 27 MARCH 1967
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LCDR DH Lorrimer RAN
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LEUT IDG McDougall RAN
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LEUT DG Bews RAN
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LEUT LJ Dennis RAN
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LEUT FVR Wolfe RAN
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LEUT RH Woolrych RAN
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LEUT RRH Fayle RAN
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|
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CPOCOXNSM JA Redwood †
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CPO AE Collins
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CPO JE Knowles
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CPO RJ Christie
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CPO DW Meredith
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CPO FA Moore
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CPO JG O'Neill
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CPO BH Ritchie
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CPO TJO Savvas
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CPO RI Spackman
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CPO RG Steele
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PO BW Coultas
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PO GR Dean
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PO NL Henwood
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PO L Morris
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PO PG Morris †
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PO C Ryan
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PO K Shaw
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PO JR Head
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PO A De Rooy
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LS DL Beeston
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LS WI Adgie
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LS A Matherson
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LS R McLeod
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LS H Black †
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LS PC Bownas
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LS DK DeLosa
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LS CE Gretton
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LS CE Hayden
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LS GF O'Keefe †
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LS R Cameron
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LS RC Ide
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LS JW Kay †
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AB KCG Thomas
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AB JM O'Brien
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AB M Barnes
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AB AJ Barrett
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AB T Bellette
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ABUW M Bridge
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AB K Broomfield
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AB CM Carroll †
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AB SR Christie
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AB K Fremantle
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AB RH Godbolt
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AB GB Cooper
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AB KF Horn
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AB JR Hughes †
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AB C Judge
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AB K Keating
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AB C Lewis
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AB WE Maisey
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AB B McKeown
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AB JL McMannim
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ABROSM D Parsons
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AB FG Reilly
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AB PJ Roberts
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† On Eternal Patrol
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DE-COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS
OXLEY - 13 FEBRUARY 1992
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LCDR NF Wallace RAN
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LEUT GRM Burton RAN
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LEUT J Coombes
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LEUT AA Lindsay
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LEUT RP Davies
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LEUT MK Napier
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LEUT IG Parker
|
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LEUT DJ McRae
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LEUT ID Salter
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SBLT BM Sampson
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SBLT A Eenink
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MIDN J Tha
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CPONPCSM SJ Luke
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PONPCSM DA Hopkins
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POETPSM JA Taaffe
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CPOETCSM P Green
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POETPSM K Amos
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POMTPS M PJ Donovan
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CPOMTPSM PJ Bullock
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POUWSM P Hartridge
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POMTPSM GC Northeast
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CPOMTPS MB Donnelly
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POMTPSM GP Atkinson
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POUCSM CP Hunt
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CPORSSM MR Thomson
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LSUCSM NP Carter
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LSETPSM IP McKenzie
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LSMTPSM LJ Hinch
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LSETSSM NA Dunn
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LSUWSM KCD Overing
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LSSTDSM L Graham
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LSMTHSM TK Peake
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LSCKSM JJ Gilchrist †
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LSMTPSM RJ Payne
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LSMTPSM K Harris
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LSETPSM T Reynierse
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LSROSM AJ Smith
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LSMTHSM JRG McDonald
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LSETSSM PC Zecchin
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LSPMTPSM PF Morrow
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LSUCSM RJ West
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LSMTHSM AT Koutsoukis
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LSUCSM G Webster
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LSMTPSM J Hutchinson
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LSETCSM TF Teale
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LSMTHSM JW Howarth
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ABUCSM M Austin
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ABETCSM LN Bulivant
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ABUCSM JA Burgess
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ABMTHSM AT Beason
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ABROSM GA Fairey
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ABMTHSM AE Hyde
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ABUWSM AJ Harris
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ABUCSM MG Holzberger
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ABUCSM WB King
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ABMTPSM MJ Kerr
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ABMTPSM IT Miles
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ABUCSM JA Prentis
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ABMTPSM S Pike
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ABETPSM TA Spencer
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ABETSSM GF Taffe
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ABCKSM DW Thomas
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ABETSM AB Vandepeer
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ABUCSM M Vaughan
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SMNMTPSM PK Spoor
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SMNUCSM RK Pugh
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SMNROSMN M Holl
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† On
Eternal Patrol
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COMMANDING OFFICERS -
HMAS OXLEY
27 MARCH 1967 - 13 FEBRUARY 1992
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LCDR D H Lorrimer RAN
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21 March 1967
|
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LCDR I D Roberts RAN
|
7 May 1969
|
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LCDR PJS Usher RAN †
|
15 June 1971
|
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LCDR PD Johnstone-Hall RAN
|
17 July 1972
|
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LCDR T Everard RAN
|
8 July 1974
|
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LCDR RJH Canham RAN
|
1 August 1975
|
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LCDR RRH Fayle RAN
|
17 January 1977
|
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LCDR PD Briggs RAN
|
19 July 1979
|
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LCDR DN Nicholls RAN
|
5 December 1980
|
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LCDR DF Webb RAN
|
21 December 1981
|
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LCDR AC Benford RN
|
31 March 1983
|
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LCDR MB Maclean CAF
|
12 November 1984
|
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LCDR JA Dierks RAN
|
11 August 1986
|
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LCDR RA Shalders RAN
|
17 November 1987
|
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LCDR PH Earlam RAN †
|
16 May 1989
|
|
LCDR NF Wallace RAN
|
7 November 1990
|
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Decommissioned
|
13 February 1992
|
 HMAS
OTWAY - "VINCENT AMOR PATRÆ"
April 1968 - 1995
HMAS Otway was named by Her Royal Highness Princess Marina at Scott's shipyard when
launched on the 29th November, 1966. Otway commissioned into the RAN the 23rd April
1968 and decommissioned for the final time at HMAS Platypus in 1995 after 27 years
of active service.
She was named after a cliffy promontory on the coast of Victoria, about 70 miles
south-west of Port Phillip Heads. The Cape is 250 feet high and is the sight of a
lighthouse and radio beacon. The Cape was originally called Cape Albany
Otway, but
this became abridged. It was named in 1800 by Lieutenant James Grant, commander of
HMS Lady Nelson, after Captain Albany Otway RN who rose to to be an Admiral in the
position of Flag Officer Scotland.
During her 25 years of efficient service HMAS Otway steamed over 415,000 miles and
her succession of ship's companies preserved the highest of standards that can expected
of any submarine.
 HMAS
Otway was decommissioned on the 17th February, 1994 in Sydney
by the Guest of Honour RADM PD Briggs AM, CSC, RAN. Otway was eventually cut up
for scrap at GI Dockyard
Today Otway's casing and fin can be seen in Holbrook, NSW, a tiny rural town of some
1,500 people located 500 km south-west of Sydney. "Holbrook" was after Naval
Commander Norman Holbrook who in a submarine with battery power for only two hours
stayed submerged for nine hours (unheard of in 1914) evading the enemy by maneuvering.
Replica of the original B11 submarine and a statue of Commander Holbrook are also
located at the town main square. |
COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS OTWAY - 23 APRIL 1968
|
LCDR GR Dalrymple RAN (CO) † |
|
| |
LEUT MWD White RAN (XO) |
|
| LCDR PC Mitchell RAN (WEEO) |
LEUT PJS Usher RAN † |
SBLT BA Taylor RAN |
| LCDR MG Rickard Bell RAN (MEEO) |
LEUT PW Horobin RAN |
|
| |
|
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| CPOERA EG Armstrong |
CPO JE Dixon |
CPORS RE Foden † |
| CPO CM Fowler |
CPO WF Harding |
CPO JR Hodgen |
| CPOERA RS James |
CPO PA Neilsen |
CPO KJ Peterson |
| CPO RJ Ruse † |
CPOERA IM Taber
| PO AF Butler |
| PO JT Curtain |
PO WR Hosie
| POMED EJ Hughes |
| PO DW Kakoschke † |
PO HP Reid |
PO TJ Wright |
| LS TE Burns |
LSUW R Faramus |
LSMED KJ Green
|
| LSUC KJ Hamilton
| LS KT Jenkins |
LS RH Jones |
| LSMED JR McGinn |
LS RC Mills |
LS MJ Stepetz |
| LS PW Vidler † | LSMED TW Wyatt
| AB CCE Bayley |
| AB LA Benson |
AB LW Blake
| ABUC DJ Bryant
|
| ABMED RJ Colbert |
AB JA Coleman |
ABUC GG Collins
|
| ABMED J Dunthorne |
ABUC NJ Felsch † |
AB RJ Hawthorne |
| AB EM Hemingway |
AB EW Horridge
| AB DG Howden |
| ABMED I Hutchison |
ABMED JE Kendon |
AB J McClean |
| AB DJF O'Brien |
ABUW T Lund
| AB JF Pearson |
| AB LR Reedman
| AB IR Ritchie |
ABUW TJ Rowell
|
| AB DR Ryles |
AB P Stock † |
AB GJ Webb |
|
† On
Eternal Patrol
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|
DE-COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS OTWAY - 17 FEB 94
| |
LCDR ID Arthur RN |
|
| LEUT MW Merryfield RAN |
LEUT GA McKenzie RAN |
LEUT DJ Robinson RAN |
| LEUT MW Orr RAN |
LEUT TA Brown |
LEUT RD Dixon RAN |
| |
SBLT ML Potter RAN |
|
| CPO GN Boissery |
LS C Wood |
AB SA Brewer |
| CPO IA Cox |
LS WC Trevarthen |
AB MJ Caruana |
| CPO MJ Pederson |
LS RT Hunter |
AB JH Crawford |
| CPOETS R Brownlie |
LS DC Kasch |
AB MW Crellin |
| PO RJ Brennan |
LS MJ Kiernan |
AB JN Day |
| PO DG Cagney |
LS MA Lang |
AB DL Excell |
| PO PW Campbell |
LS BA Lawrence |
AB AL Farqhar |
| PO BJ Dunster
| LS RW Maynard |
ABUC WA Gardner |
| PO AJ Florance |
LS HE Nest |
AB MA Hallcroft |
| PO AM Francis
| LS DE Robertson |
AB KS Harriden |
| PO MA Jones |
LS SP Rule |
AB AJ Harris |
| POJG Knott |
LS DE Smith |
AB JD Lindley |
| PO JA Lloyd |
LS MD Smith |
AB SM McGuigan |
| PO SA Macadam |
LS K Streher |
AB CJ Morgan |
| PO DJ Reid |
LS DN Thompson
| AB PD Mortenson |
| PO MA Webb |
LS B Trafford |
AB DJ Nayda |
| LS S Allen |
AB PL Strembichjy |
AB BM Newton |
| LS MJ Barnes |
AB CJ Von Rechenberg |
AB AJ Norton |
| LS MJ Batey |
AB RA Allen |
AB JE Paterson |
| LS GJ Boorman |
AB MW Andison |
AB DA Peacock |
| LS DJ Elgey |
AB PW Appleby |
AB SD Phoo |
| LS KL Fisher |
AB PM Bell |
AB DJ Shaw |
| LS PA Gravelle |
AB DS Bichel |
AB DR Smith |
| |
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† On
Eternal Patrol
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| |
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|
 HMAS
OVENS - "SILENCE IS GOLDEN"
15 April 1969 - 1 December 1995
HMAS Ovens was named by Lady Slim, wife of Viscount Slim, a former Governor General
of Australia, at Scott's shipyard when launched on the 4th December, 1967.
Ovens commissioned into the RAN at Greenock, Scotland on 15 April 1969 and decommissioned
for the final time at HMAS Stirling on Friday, 1st December 1995 after 26 years of
active service.
She was named after the Irishman John Ovens (1778-1825) who first went to the colony
of New South Wales in 1810 as a Lieutenant of the 73rd regiment. He returned to England
the following year, but after serving with distinction in the Peninsular war he went
back to NSW in 1821.
He was made Aide-de-camp to Governor Brisbane and became chief Engineer of the colony.
In 1823 Brigade Major Ovens explored some of the southern areas of NSW, and was responsible
for naming the Murrumbidgee and Monroe rivers. He also noted that "the down
country was bounded in the west by a snowy range of mountains". The
Ovens river
in NE Victoria was named after John Ovens. He died in Australia in 1825.
The significant aspects of the submarines crest is a sixteenth century cupellation
oven used for refining gold - an allusion to the submarine's motto "Silence
is Golden".
During her 26 years of service she steamed over 420,000 nautical miles, and was the
first conventional submarine to fire a Harpoon anti ship missile and followed this
up with the sinking of HMAS Colac with a Mk 48 Torpedo in 1987 (on purpose, not a
stuff up).
HMAS Ovens was adopted by the shire of Coffs Harbour (NSW) in 1972 (?) and on 10th
July 1979 the ship's company were given the title, privilege, honour and distinction
of the Freedom of entry into the Shire of Coffs Harbour. (Editors note: One of many
great runs and I am pleased to say I remember none.)
HMAS Ovens was the first of the RAN's submarines to be fitted with a long range sonar
system. This was installed during her refit at Cockatoo Island Dockyard in 1975 HMAS
Ovens underwent a major modernisation between March 1980 and August 1982. This saw
the fitting of a completely redesigned bow dome necessary to accommodate a new sonar
system and a new fire control system.
Whilst participating in exercises off Sydney and Jervis Bay in November 1983, HMAS
Ovens was accidentally dented by a torpedo fired by the destroyer escort HMAS Parramatta.
HMAS Ovens was again in refit in Sydney for the period of September 1987 to May 1988.
HMAS Ovens has been a regular participant in major exercises, attending RIMPAC exercises
in 1977, 1978, 1984, and 1986.
HMAS Ovens completed her third (and final) main refit on I I April 1991 at a cost
of $A64 million and was decommissioned in order to make way for the Collins class
submarines that were being constructed in Adelaide. However, her period of service
to the RAN was to continue for a short time, as she was reconfigured in order to
be used as a working training platform for trainee submariners.
Today Ovens lives on, the centrepiece of the Maritime Museum at Fremantle (WA) and
having visited her recently, am pleased to say that they are going to have a
wonderful
exhibit when the infrastructure of the new facilities have been completed. |
COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS OVENS - 15 APRIL 1969
|
LCDR B Nobes RAN (CO) |
|
| |
LEUT TE Harrison RAN (XO) |
|
| LCDR DJB Taylor RAN (WEEO) |
LEUT RLP Jones RAN |
LEUT PD Briggs RAN
|
| LCDR W Raymont RAN (MEEO) |
LEUT AW Podmore RAN |
|
| |
|
|
| CERAD DJ Whitford (Daryl) † |
MED RL Clarke (Nobby) |
CPOCOX LG Muir (Bonney) |
| ERAD RN Ayres (Ron) |
CSAW RJR Vassett (Bob) |
POCOX MJ Southall (Matt) † |
| ERAD HT Leatham (Tom) |
OAW JW Murphy (Spud) |
POUW GR Caesar (Graham) |
| ERAD JB Blunt (Jim) |
SAP FA Gibbs |
POUW PC Smith (Peter) † |
| ERAD PJ O'Brien (Oby) |
POEP R Bobilak (Bob) |
ABUW GG Blackman |
| MECH HA Delaney (Blue) |
LEMWR WD Maitland (Bill) |
ABUW KE Beaton (Ken) |
| CMED GJ Gilbert (Graham) |
LEMP G Draper (Drapes) |
ABUW JH Schmidt |
| POMED RG Strange (Darky) |
EMP D Luck (Dave) † |
ABUW TF Thomas (Taff) |
| LMED BR Patch (Bruce) |
EMP DC Petherick (Pee Wee) |
POUC FJ Lawrence (Fred) |
| LMED NT Williams (Bungy) |
EMWR BJ Affleck |
LSUC LJ Martin (Pincher) |
| LMED TA Johnson (Tom) |
EMP KJ Hatfield (Boots) |
ABUC GJ Ross (Garry) |
| MED JR Young (Brigham) |
EMWR JF Angelini (Angi) |
ABUC JD Morris (Johnny) |
| MED DA Wigg (Dennis) |
RS FE King (Frank) |
ABUC HL Ford |
| MED MP Reptik (Mick) |
RS TJ Jarrett (Tom) |
ABUC GW Smallman |
| MED DT Hodder (Dave) † |
RO NJ Wedge (Nick) |
ABUC TR Gough (Terry) |
| MED RF Cross (Jumper) |
RO KF O'Brien (Oby) |
LSRP JP Mahoney (Rip) ) |
| MED RI Marsland (Bob) † |
LCK BW Gilshenen (Barry) |
ABRP ED Brent (Eddy) |
| MED IM Collins (Ian) |
LSTD RE McMinn (Ray) |
ABRP DJ Rankin (John) † |
| |
ABCK J Goss (John) |
|
| |
† On
Eternal Patrol
|
|
DE-COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS OVENS - 1 DECEMBER 1995
| |
LCDR MR Jones RAN |
|
| LEUT DM Theobald RAN |
LEUT NA Odgaard RAN |
LEUT ML Potter RAN |
| LEUT CE Smith RAN |
SBLT MJ Stillwell RAN |
SBLT SM Bunny RAN
|
| |
|
|
| CPOMTP C Smith |
LSUC S Allen |
ABCK C Birch |
| CPONPC L Frost
| LSEW A Addinnal
| ABMT R Scott |
| CPOMTP T Eggleton |
LSETP C Van de Berg |
ABEWA J Quarrell
|
| CPOETS R Brownlie |
LSRO P Van Brink |
ABRO C Oliver |
| CPOUC S Hibbert |
LSUC D Smith |
ABMTP C Morgan |
| POMTP T Aldred |
LSRO R Murray |
ABCK JP Metcalf |
| POMT A Jallands |
LSEW N Moore |
ABMT C Marshall |
| POEW G Keesing |
LSCK McGuigan |
ABET C Marcus |
| POUC C Prior |
LSET J Lindley |
ABETS M Lynch |
| POETP J Robertson |
ABUC P Zanki |
ABUC D Lockyer |
| POUC M Turnbull |
ABMTP J Woodward |
ABETS R Bleasedale |
| PORS AJ Wilkinson |
ABUC M Wills |
ABMTP G Fletcher |
| PONPC R Young |
ABUC C Warner |
ABETP D Excell |
| LSUC S Allen |
ABRO G Tyrie |
SMNET S Pearce |
| LSMTP G Bunting |
ABMTP G Thoms |
SMNRO D Woolford |
| LSMTP D Chandler |
ABMT G Street |
SMNUC R Saunders |
| LSUW A Cobcroft |
ABMT D Storey |
SMNUC G Renshaw
|
| LSMT M Fox |
ABETP B South |
SMNEW R Ratkovic |
| ABRO P Stuart |
ABCK S Smith |
SMNUC S Pfeiffer |
| ABMTP M Kerr † |
ABET R Haywood |
ABMTP M Lambert |
| ABET R Hancock |
ABMTP T Direen |
SMNMT B Jackson |
|
|
SMNUC C Guildea |
| |
|
|
| |
† On
Eternal Patrol
|
|
COMMANDING OFFICERS HMAS
OVENS
15 APRIL 1969 - 01 DECEMBER 1995
| LCDR B Nobes RAN
| 15 October 1969 |
| LCDR FVR Wolfe RAN |
17 February 1971 |
| LCDR RH Woolrych RAN
| 05 June 1972 |
| LCDR TA Roach RAN
|
21 July 1975 |
| CMDR TA Roach RAN
|
01 July 1976 |
| LCDR AB Parkin RAN |
16 March 1977 |
| LCDR AD James RAN |
21 September 1978 |
| LCDR AD James RAN |
17 May 1982 |
| LCDR AP Smith RAN |
6 December 1982 |
| LCDR RD Carter RAN |
28 November 1983 |
| LCDR JM Hodges RAN
| 13 March 1985 |
| LCDR DJ Gladman RAN |
24 March 1986 |
| LCDR BG Anderson RAN |
6 January 1989 |
| CMDR DJ Gladman RAN |
3 January 1992 |
| LCDR MA Sander RAN
|
29 May 1992 |
| LCDR SM O'Hearn RAN |
16 February 1994 |
| LCDR MR Jones RAN |
26 May 1995 |
| Decommissioned |
01 December 1995 |
 HMAS
ONSLOW - "HASTEN SLOWLY"
22 December 1969 - 29 March 1999
HMAS Onslow was named after an Australian river. The name comes from a family
well known in early Australian history. The founder was Arthur Pooley
Onslow who
carried out surveying duties for the administration during the early part of of the
19th century and then became Justice of the Peace. He had two sons, Arthur Alexander
and Alexander Campbell.
The first joined the Navy, retired after achieving the rank of Captain and then entered
politics. the second was called to the English Bar in 1868, became Attorney General
of Western Australia and finally the state's Chief Justice in 1883. He was knighted
in 1895. The town of Onslow in Western Australia is named after this brother.
The significant aspects of the submarines crest are a Chief Justice's wig and a bunch
of flowers used by the justice when investigating the case of the rather smelly prisoners
who predominated in those days. The submarine's motto "Festina Lente" is
latin for Hasten Slowly.
The first hull section was placed in position on the 29th of May, 1967 by Commodore
DHD Smith RAN. The submarine was launched by HRH Princess Alexandria on the 22nd
of December, 1969 at Scott's Shipyards in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. |
COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS ONSLOW - 22 DECEMBER 1969
|
LCDR CAB Nixon-Eckersall RN |
|
| |
LEUT TDA Bowra RAN |
|
| LCDR GD White RAN |
LEUT BC Clarke RAN |
LEUT MT Dunne RAN |
| LEUT GD Anderson RAN |
SBLT KF Pitt RAN
|
SBLT GW Fisher RAN |
| |
|
|
| CPO Cox'n RW Budd (Ron) † |
CSAW DJ Luck (Dave) |
MECH JC Sneyd (Sam) |
| ERA CC Corney (Col) |
MECH DJ Elliott (Doug) |
POUC L Clarkson (Les) |
| POME HJ Rutter (Tex) |
RS G O'Keefe (Garry) † |
POEWR WC Watego (Rip) |
| LSUC RA Hardwicke (Surfie) |
LME JR Dale (Chip) |
LME CG Stocker |
| LRO JL Brown (Bomber) |
LCK O'Beirne (Oby) |
LEMP KG Thompson |
| ABUW RT Kelly (Little Ned) |
ABRO RV Sylvester (Ray) † |
EMWR PKR Thorpe (Paddy) |
| ABUW DK Petty (Dick) |
ABRO ME Regan (Max) |
ME RF Wilson (Tug) |
| ABUC IP Haw (Ian) |
ME AC Ellard (Tony) |
ABUC NH Steyn (Nick) |
| ME JE Clelland (Olly) |
ME RW Mees (Bob) |
ME MJ Hamilton |
| ME RW Evans (Ray) |
CME HJ Carey (Harry) † |
CERA RJ Dunstan (Bob) |
| MECH MJ Kidd (Merv) |
ERA PC Edwards (Phil) |
PORP JR Head (John) |
| POEP BJ Birch (Brian) |
POUW R Lawrence (Ray) |
SAP RI Madden (Dog) |
| SAWS J Beekman (John) |
LEMP K Brazier (Ken) |
LSUW WR Cummins (Bill) |
| LSRP RP Glover (Roger) |
LSTD JR Cornish (John) |
LME T Rutherford (Tom) |
| ABUC TJ Spencer (Tom) † |
ABCK JD Simounds (Simmo) |
ME JR McCrohen (Jack) |
| EMWR RW Andrews (Ray) |
ABUW JA Rana (JR) |
EMP WJ Bacon (Bill) |
| ABUW RA Steley (Rick) |
EMP DC Petherick (PeeWee) |
ABUC AM Urquhart |
| ABRP JW Heinze (John) |
ABRP JR Kelly (Big Ned) |
ME JH Joyce (Jim) |
| |
† On
Eternal Patrol
|
|
DE-COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS ONSLOW - 29 MARCH 1999
|
LCDR O'Dwyer SPM |
|
| LCDR RS Walker RAN |
LCDR MW Orr RAN |
LEUT BK Slape RAN |
| LEUT JR Martins RAN |
LEUT GA Miles RAN |
LEUT SJ Doolin RAN |
| |
|
|
| CPONPC RA Young |
CPOUW AS Florance |
POET RJ Muir |
| CPOMT SAC Hendrick |
POMT GR Bunting |
POMT GW Anderson |
| CPOET BC Snow |
POEW SW Bartlett |
LSMT JT Woodward |
| POMT MA Jones |
PORS MD Cossey |
LSMT PC Mullins |
| LSMT RJ Hodson |
POMT K Harris |
LSET DJ Crouch |
| LSET MP Foster |
LSMT GR Milne |
LSET TJ Samuels |
| LSET DI White |
LSMT MA Watherston |
LSMT DL Excell |
| LSAWA DE Engi |
LSRO PW Powell |
LSAWA WG Smith |
| LSAWA GDWells |
LSAWA GA Mawhinney |
LSRO MJ Ploenges |
| LSRO PR Wrigley |
LSCK GS Walsh |
LSMT PI Bopf |
| LSMT PJ Bennett |
LSET NS Leach |
LSEW AJ Kennedy |
| LSEW AJ Henry † |
LSMT BT Elstone |
LSMT BS Warton |
| ABAWA DW Croke |
ABAWA RA Wilkinson |
ABAWA KR Murphy |
| ABAWA IF Crouch |
ABAWA C Dickson |
ABAWA GS Thomms |
| ABMT RJ Driscoll |
ABMT RF Scott |
ABMT DJ Priestly |
| ABMT KR Howell |
ABMT DJ Walker |
ABMTMP Young |
| ABMT TD Manwaring |
ABMT MR Bournes |
ABMT MB Slater |
| ABET JE Thrift |
ABET SL Robson |
ABET MA Wernas |
| ABET SA Loynes |
ABCK SJ Carman |
ABCK SB Rowell |
| ABCK MG Ollet |
|
|
| |
† On
Eternal Patrol
|
|
COMMANDING OFFICERS HMAS
ONSLOW
22 DECEMBER 1969 - 29 MARCH 1999
| LCDR CAB Nixon-Eckersall RN |
11 February 1969 |
| LCDR DPR Ryan RN |
16 June 1971 |
| LCDR IDG Mc Dougall RAN
|
31 December 1971 |
| LCDR RRH Fayle RAN |
07 August 1973 |
| LCDR PW Horobin RAN
| 29 November 1974 |
| LCDR ASL Smith RN |
10 January 1975 |
| Decommissioned |
14 January 1975 |
| LCDR ASL Smith RN |
01 February 1977 |
| LCDR GD Anderson RAN
| 26 May 1978 |
| LCDR KF Pitt RAN
|
05 July 1979 |
| LCDR JAC Miers RN |
15 August 1980 |
| LCDR AB Parkin RAN
| 27 May 1981 |
| Decommissioned |
30 September 1982 |
| LCDR DW Mole RAN |
16 April 1984 |
| LCDR DM Forbes RN |
28 October 1985 |
| LCDR BL Beveridge RAN |
06 March 1987 |
| LCDR JN Edgell RN |
14 March 1988 |
| LCDR BG Anderson RAN |
15 December 1989 |
| LEUT IR Bray RAN |
04 March 1990 |
| Decommissioned |
05 May 1990 |
| LCDR IR Bray RAN |
13 December 1992 |
| LCDR MA Sander RAN
|
15 November 1994 |
| LCDR SG Dalton RAN |
01 April 1996 |
| LCDR SPM O'Dwyer RAN |
07 October 1997 |
| Decommissioned |
29 March 1999 |
 HMAS
ORION - "ORBE CIRCUMCINTO"
15 June 1977 - 4 October 1996
The motto for Orion according to the Latin Department of the University
of London is either "Encompass the World" /"Belt around the World"/"Over
the World". It is apparently very difficult to get a precise translation. When
the crew first arrived in Greenock as commissioning crew the motto from the RAN Navy
Board was "Over the World" but the crew preferred the Latin as HMAS
Orion was the direct descendant from the old 8" cruiser and asked the Navy Board if
they could keep the Latin. The College of Heralds and Navy Board (ADM Synot) agreed.
It was changed back to "OVER THE WORLD" at a later date when Defence decreed
that all mottos had to be in English.
Orion is said in Greek mythology to be the son Hypieus, a mighty hunter of great
beauty and gigantic strength. He was beloved of Eos the Greek Dawn goddess who carried
him to Delos. Previously he had been struck blind by Dionysus the Greek god of wine.
His eye sight was however restored upon exposing his eyeballs to the rays of Eos
(Her task was to open the gates of the East for the sun). A hunter, he is alleged
to have known Artemis, the sister of Apollo. Artemis became Orion's companion which
made Apollo jealous.
 This caused Apollo to deceive Artemis, whereupon she shot
Orion.
After his death Orion was changed into a constellation in the form of a warrior wearing
a girdle of three stars and a lion's skin carrying a club and sword.
HMAS Orion was the sixth warship to be given the name Orion. The first five were
all British warships. The first was a 74 gun ship launched on the Thames on the I
st June 1787. She served in the French Wars. In a long fighting career she won the
Battle Honours 'First of June' under Lord Howe in 1794, 'Groix Island' under Lord
Bridport in 1795 and 'St. Vincent' under Sir John Jervis against the Spanish Fleet
in 1797. Under Nelson she fought at the Battle of the Nile (1798) and at Trafalgar.
In the final phases of the Napoleonic Wars she served in the Baltic before paying
off to be broken up in 1814.
The first hull section of the 5th Orion was placed in position on the 19th of April,
1972 and launched by Mrs John Armstrong, the Australian High Commissioner on the
16th of September, 1974 at Scott's Shipyards in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland.
HMAS Orion was the first HMA vessel ever to visit a German port.
HMAS Orion called at Spain, Greece, made a transit of the Suez Canal, visited the
Seychelles and Singapore, making its Australian landfall at Cockburn Sound WA on
the 20th June 1978, arriving at its home base Sydney on July 3, 1978.
The significant aspects of the submarines crest is the bust of Orion
and was unofficially
the cret of the original HMS Orion, and the submarine's motto "Orbe Circumcinto"
is latin for ..
During her 19 years of service she steamed over 321,850 nautical miles.
Orion was adopted prior to its commencement of building
and was granted the rights to the Freedom of the City of Woolongong, NSW on the 27th
September 1980. |
COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS ORION - 15 JUNE 1977
|
LCDR RH Woolrych RAN |
|
|
LEUT KF Pitt RAN |
|
| LEUT NJ Lowrie RAN
| LEUT JM Hodges RAN
| LEUT JM Taubman RAN
|
| LEUT DW Meredith RAN |
LEUT FR Van Der Berg RAN |
|
| |
|
|
| CPOMTP3 RJ Bateman |
CPOETS3* KR Fremantle |
CPOCOX KA Mills
|
| CPOMTP3 DK Buck
| CPOET3* BJ Birch |
POUC DJ Bryant
|
| CPOMTP3 JW Johnson |
CPOETP3 GH Dagg |
LSUC E Bylett |
| CPOMTP3 PC Menere |
CPOETS4 JR Hodgen |
LSUC RD Walters |
| CPOMTP4 IM Taber
| CPOETS D Roach |
LSUC MJ White |
| CPOMTP3* TW Wyatt
| POETS V Hirschausen |
ABUC WG Mitchell |
| POMTP3* RL Clarke
| LSETP JE Robinson |
ABUC SG Edwards |
| POMTP3 RI Marsland † | LSETS AJ Barling |
ABUC D Wilkinson |
| LSMTP MA Carew
| LSETP AJ Phelan |
P0UW TJ Rowell
|
| LSMTP DT Connors |
ABETP AF Radford |
POUW AG Wooton † |
| LSMTP J Francis |
ABETP DA Currell |
LSUW DN Horne
|
| LSMTP PF Passmore
† | ABETS RJ Kemp
| ABUW MJ Close |
| LSMTP RM Ross † |
LSSN AX Robinson |
ABUW MR O'Neill |
| ABMTP R Steltenpool |
CPORS WFJ Wells † |
ABUW PJ Ballantyne
|
| ABMTP PJ Dorante |
PORS J McCormack |
LSRP RD Bray |
| ABMTP BD Earle
| LSRO JV Dansey † |
ABRP WG Donnelly
|
| ABMTP DA Gregg |
LSR0 DL Harrison |
ABRP RC Thurston
|
| ABMTP RA Nicholls
| LSRO R Curtis
| LSCK MG Masterson |
| ABMTP AJ O'Connor |
|
ABCK JF Arnold |
| ABMTP IG Prodger |
|
LSSTD BJ Smith |
| |
† On Eternal Patrol |
|
DE-COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS ORION
04 OCTOBER 1996
| |
LCDR SM O'Hearn RAN |
|
| LEUT SPM O'Dwyer RAN |
LEUT A Eenink RAN |
LEUT RD Brown RAN |
| LEUT AS Keough RAN |
LEUT TA Brown RAN
| LEUT ML Potter RAN |
| LEUT S Taragel RAN |
SBLT MW Baker RAN |
|
| |
|
|
| CPOUW VA Hancock |
CPOMT S Ritchie |
CPOET JMB Rorke |
| POMT T Aldred |
POAWA AJ Brewer |
POMT M Dixon |
| POMT LJ Hinch |
POET DL Johnson |
POUW AC Kirkman |
| POMT AT Koutsoukis |
POMT RA Lowe |
POMT RW Maynard |
| PORS RB Maraldo |
LSEW ML Arope |
LSAWA JS Christie |
| LSAWA J Corker |
LSAWA JJ Croxon |
LSET JA Edwards |
| LSMT RC Faulkner |
LSEW PG Freestone |
LSET MP Foster |
| LSMT MR Fox |
LSMT DA Green |
LSMT AJ Hogarth |
| LSRO NM Holl |
LSMT CT Jackson |
LSCK P Jones |
| LSMT CI Macleod |
LSMT L Raftery |
LSET PJ Reed |
| LSMT CJ Rowley |
LSMT T Rubenstein |
LSMT PL Talbot |
| ABAWA CJ Butterworth |
ABMT MR Bournes |
ABAWA GT Finney
|
| ABRO EF Francis |
ABET DM Fulton |
ABEW TM Heggen |
| ABMT BD Heller |
ABAWA DR Hunt |
ABAWA GJ Langshaw |
| ABMT GJ Lucy |
ABMT DJ Marsh |
ABMT MT Morris |
| ABCK VG Murner |
ABCK MG Ollett |
ABRO LR Passey |
| ABAWA SJ Pfeiffer |
ABAWA J Prentis |
ABMT JA Rendalls |
| ABCK DA Robinson |
ABMT KR Sutherland |
|
| |
† On
Eternal Patrol
|
|
 HMAS
OTAMA - "UNSEEN WE SEEK"
27 April 1978 - 15 December 2000
HMAS Otama was launched by the Princess Anne, Mrs Mark Phillips on the 3rd of December,
1975 at Scott's Shipyards in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Her Royal Highness
was also the guest of honour at the commissioning ceremony, conducted on 27 April 1978.
The name Otama is the North Queensland aboriginal word for dolphin, the world wide
submariner's emblem and it was fitting to name the last RAN Oberon HMAS
Otama.
HMAS Otama completed the voyage to her home base Sydney on the 15th December 1978,
and de-commissioned on this date 22 years later.
The significant aspects of the submarines crest is a stylised dolphin and the submarine's
motto "Unseen We Seek" which reflects the operational role undertaken by
HMAS Otama. Her crew lovingly referred to her as "The Gucci Boat". During
her 22 years of service she steamed 316, 693 nautical miles.
HMAS Otama is the last of the six RAN Oberons to de-commission. She was also the
last of 35 Oberons and almost identical Porpoise class submarines built for the navies
of Britian, Canada, Brazil, Chile and Australia.
Note: 2004 - Otama is currently at Westernport in
Victoria where it is hoped that it can be opened as a tourist and
educational attraction. Difficulties with local authorities are
holding up this project.
|
COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS OTAMA - 27 APRIL 1978
|
LCDR FVR Wolfe RAN |
|
| LEUT AP Smith RAN |
LEUT KD Chilvers RAN |
LEUT DE Webb RAN |
| LEUT RA Sulman RAN
| LEUT RD Carter RAN |
LEUT DJ Gladman RAN |
| |
|
|
| CPOCOXNSM MF Gray |
LSROSM K Allen |
ABMTPSM GR Brownley |
| CPOMTP3SM MG Baldock |
LSSN MD Bobridge |
ABMTP2 JP Conlon |
| CPOMTP3SM RG Birch |
LSUCSM Britton |
ABCK LG Elliot |
| CPOUCSM GG Collins |
LSMTPSM J Burrell |
ABROSM RJ Fishbourne |
| CPOETPSM GN Cox |
LSMTPSM RD Clark |
ABRP IL Frost |
| CPOMTP3* EJ Hughes |
LSMTPSM WL Clayton |
ABUWSM AF Hoof |
| CPOMTP3SM CJ Hobson |
LSETPSM JP Eyck |
ABUCSM D Hughes |
| CPOMTP4SM RS James |
LSMTPSM G Gillis
| ABETS DT Irvine |
| CPOETS4SM IR Johnson |
LSRPSM AR Hawken |
ABUCSM GR Henderson |
| CPOMTP3SM A Mooney |
LSUCSM GJ Hollas
| ABMTPSM GP Jemeson |
| CPORPSM JL McMannim |
LSMTP ME Howard † |
ABETPSM PG Jensen |
| POMTP3*SM DD Bevan |
LSETPSM DB Lindley |
ABSTDSM DA Moore |
| POMTP2SM AJ Vine |
LSUWSM AC Woods
| ABRPSM AT Robertson |
| POUWSM GG Blackman |
LSETCSM IM Seagrove |
ABUWSM P Shaddock † |
| POETSSM RR Galloway |
LSETPSM KG Thompson |
ABROSM R Sjollema |
| POETPSM GR Irwin |
ABUCSM RG Baker |
ABMTPSM MF Smith
|
| POETC RJ O'Brien |
ABMTPSM DI Beaumont |
ABMTPSM WW Stewart
|
| PORSSM DR Parsons
| ABMTP AJ Bernhagen |
ABMTPSM DA Stubbs
|
| POCKSM TG Rowley
| ABUW R Mellowship |
ABUWSM BL Tait |
|
ABUCSM PW Vine † |
|
| |
† On Eternal Patrol |
|
DE-COMMISSIONING CREW HMAS OTAMA
15 DECEMBER 2000
| |
LCDR SPM O'Dwyer RAN |
|
| LEUT JR Lybrand RAN |
LCDR ID Salter RAN |
LEUT JR Martins RAN |
| LEUT G Miles RAN |
LEUT BA Slape RAN |
LEUT SG Taragel RAN |
|
LEUT FA Vergelius RAN |
|
| |
|
|
| CPOUW AS Florance |
LSCK R Allen |
ABMT GJ Clarke |
| CPOMT AB Jallands |
LSEWA BW Anderson |
ABAWA DW Croke |
| CPONPC SA MacAdam |
LSAWA JH Crawford |
ABMT AC Dixon |
| CPOMT JC Michener |
LSAWA GD Cure |
ABRO MJ Dowell |
| CPOET JM Robinson |
LSMT B Elstone |
ABET MD Farrow |
| POEWA SW Bartlett |
LSEWA TM Heggen |
ABRO EF Francis |
| POMT GR Bunting |
LSMT SJ Howie |
ABMT IC Graham |
| PORS MD Cossey |
LSAWA NJ Minett |
ABCK JA Hetherington |
| POET MP Foster |
LSRO JL Minns |
ABET CS Knott |
| POET PT Green |
LSMT AC Mitcherson |
ABET JA Martin |
| POAWA G Peterson |
LSAWA JP Moore |
ABCK JP Metcalf |
| POEWA CJ Pitman |
LSMT MT Morris |
ABMT R Michael |
| PMOT T Rubenstein |
LSMT CJ Rowley |
ABMT MC Paroli |
| POMT TJR Shone |
LSMT JC Schwerin |
ABAWA SJ Pfeiffer |
| POET WB Stottelaar |
LSMT MJ Smith |
ABMT JA Rendalls |
| PORS JAF Vella |
LSAWA CA Standen |
ABCK DA Robinson |
| POMT WA Webb |
ABMT DD Bevan |
ABAWA DT Rosenthal |
| POMT R Zwikielberg
| ABMT MR Bournes |
ABMT PN Ross |
| POMT B Patrick |
ABMT JS Russell |
ABAWA GS Thomms |
|
ABMT AD Woods |
|
| |
† On
Eternal Patrol
|
|
COMMANDING OFFICERS HMAS
OTAMA
27 APRIL 1978 - 15 DECEMBER
2000
| LCDR FVR Wolfe RAN |
March 1977 - January 1979 |
| LCDR RC Seaward RN |
January 1979 - April 1980 |
| LCDR PW Horobin RAN
| April 1980 - October 1980 |
| CMDR RJH Canham RAN |
October 1980 - November 1981 |
| CMDR MT Dunne RAN |
November 1981 - August 1983 |
| LCDR DN Nicholls RAN |
April 1985 - November 1986 |
| LCDR JMH Taubman RAN
| November 1986 - March 1988 |
| CMDR DW Mole RAN |
March 1988 - August 1989 |
| LCDR TJ Robertson RAN |
August 1989 - January 1991 |
| LCDR MW Merrifield RAN |
December 1994 - July 1997 |
| LCDR AJ Taylor RAN |
July 1997 - March 1998 |
| CMDR MA Sander RAN
|
March 1998 - June 1999 |
| LCDR SPM O'Dwyer RAN |
June 1999 - December 1999 |
| Active Reserve |
December 1999 - December 2000 |
| Decommissioned |
15 December 2000 |
DECOMMISIONING HMAS OTAMA
Friday, 15 December 2000
CAPTAIN M.A. SANDER
Leader of the Opposition, The Most Honourable Kim
Beasley, Admiral Shackleton, Admiral Briggs, Admiral Smith, Former
Commanding Offic ers and ships
companies of Otama, Fellow submariners, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honoured to be here today to speak at this significant occasion
and as the Commanding Officer on the last Operational deployment for
the Class. I would like to thank Captain Rick Shalders for thinking
of me and affording me the opportunity not only to be here today,
but to participate in what I consider to be, a most noteworthy and
important day. I must make mention of LCDR Paddy O’Dwyer who
succeeded me for the last few months of Otama’s sea going life.
It was almost 18 months ago that I relinquished command of Otama. I
am not embarrassed to say that I did so with a heavy heart and a
tear in my eye as I crossed the brow for the final time as the CO of
an operational submarine. I am sure that is a common feeling for
submariners. A submarine is not simply a complex web of steel, pipes
and cables. A submarine lives and breathes, from the constant throb
of an ASR 1 diesel to the movement on the high seas. If the hull and
systems are the body, then the crews of the submarines are the soul.
What is it then, that lures 8 Officers and 56 Crew to careers in
which they spend so much of their time in cramped quarters, under
great psychological stress, with dangers lurking all about?
Submariners by necessity form a very close knit and harmonious team.
This adds to the espirit de corp and provides a powerful and
enduring connection between the crews and their boats. We grow as a
team, confident in the knowledge that we can rely upon our shipmates
in time of need, and determined that we succeed as a team.
Submarines each have their own character. Our emblem was the
dolphin, Otama will always be known as the Gucci boat, a trait often
reflected in her crews. Always the operational submarine and hence
required to always maintain the highest operational standards. In
her three commissions she traveled over 300,000 Nautical miles and
as her motto states, always Unseen.
A nautical romantic at heart I took the opportunity this week to
walk her passageways for just one more time.
I went down to the forends where the forendies used to sit and
watchkeep for endless hours. Passing through 34 bulkhead I stopped
briefly in the cramped forward mess which was the home for about
twenty sailors. The noise emanating from the senior rates attracted
my attention. Opposite was the outside wreckers, the SPO and the
POLTOs bunks, all filled with every conceivable spare under their
mattresses to ensure they could cope with whatever defect the boat
threw at them. The galley was next with the smell of pizza and
chips. It reminded me of Saturday night at sea. Through 49 bulkhead
to the grot. Aptly named because it was still a mess. The wardroom
was next. Corro was counting the contingent account, The XO was
writing just one more XOTM and of course the WEEO was asleep in his
bunk. I could then here the sounds of the control room. Standby
target setup, pay attention CEP, get me on depth now engineer,
racket dangerous, racket dangerous, racket dangerous, down all
masts, well done panel. Far too tense there so I moved aft passed
the Cos cabin and stepping over the ROs as they were scrubbing out
trap 1. I also needed to step over the chef who was in the fridges
for the third time that day. I still wonder what possessed the Brits
to put the fridges directly outside a toilet. The AMS was far too
noisy so I continued aft where the donk shop horse and pony were
busy changing a cylinder head on the stbd donk, something todays CO
would gladly have the capacity to do. The engine room is no place
for a seaman officer so I hurried through to the motor room with the
sound of "fifty gallons ballast pump" still ringing in my ear. The
first motor room watchkeeper was there
 bright and breezy having been
warned off by the donk shop that I was coming aft. To his relief I
passed through quickly to the after mess. In Otama the aft mess was
more than a home away from home. It was decked out in wood and
carpeted throughout. Not a soul stirred as we had just finished SAI
day 3. Consequently I turned around and went back forward. I stopped
momentarily to read "Christina, my daughter’s name, on the ship’s
bell, a time honoured tradition afforded to past and present members
of a ship’s company to christen their children on ships or
submarines.
According to tradition, a member of a ship’s commissioning detail,
in the days of wooden vessels, had the right to take a plank from
her deck when she was decommissioned. Today, it would be difficult
to find a plank on a submarine; so all I can offer is some words of
praise for Otama, and those memories to take away with you today.
The paying off pennant dates back to the 19th century when cleaning
rags in a ship decommissioning were knotted together and hoisted as
a sign that they would no longer be used. The practice was for the
pennant to be the length of the boat if she paid off on the proper
date, with an addition of 1/24 of the length for each additional
month. Can anyone work out how long Otama’s pennant should be?
For those of us who served on Otama, a little of us will be lost
today as Otama is taken away and started down that irreversible path
towards decommissioning. I am glad to see today many former
shipmates and the COs from the three commissions. There is a special
relationship that exists between a submariner and their boat,
especially a boat such as Otama. Her sustained outstanding
performance is testimony to that closeness of that relationship
throughout her life. The ship and its crew have been an integral
part of each other for 22 years, and all of us justifiably take
pride not only in what we have done during our deployments on Otama,
but also what has been done by those who preceded us as well as
those who succeeded us.
This feeling exists because we all have influenced our past, present
and future shipmates. Those of us who worked so hard to be a part of
that relationship cannot take today too lightly. In your programs
you have the names of but a few of these heroes — unsung heroes. As
the boat retires, we know her memories will live beyond her years.
I ask you not to think of this decommissioning so much machinery as
being superseded. I ask you to look at her as a proud lady,
gracefully retiring knowing that her job has been well done. I ask
you to look to the future, to our new submarines, which will carry
us to the fore.
 And
finally, I would ask you to reflect on the accomplishments of this
great, albeit tired lady. She is truly a leader of her class and
arguably the most productive and successful submarine Australia has
had.
I would like to say goodbye, a final farewell to Otama by reading a
passage I kept in my notebook while CO, written by the author best
known for his book ‘the Cruel Sea’, Nicholas Monsarrat, back in
1944.
No-one save a power-maniac, a sadist or a nautical romantic can hold
any belief for submarine warfare. There is a current Anglo American
illusion skilfully fostered during the war, that whereas the Germans
used boats, which were beastly, we only used submarines which were
quite different and rather wonderful. This piece of disillusion does
not persist with those who have ever been on the receiving end of a
torpedo. Of course there is another side to the medal. It cannot be
denied that submariners are brave and skillful men and that they are
accustomed to continue their skill in conditions of acute danger,
which is perhaps the bravest thing of all.
Rest well, our Lady Otama. You have earned your rest. Know your
labours have set the standard which others must meet. Let them try
and match you. To those of us who have served with you, you remain
the love of our lives; you will always be in our memories.
I will now like to introduce an officer who I respect and envy, envy
because he leaves the RAN on the ultimate high, RADM Peter Briggs.
This is a copy of the speech given by CAPT Mark Sander
, the last operational
Commanding Officer of HMAS Otama. LCDR O'Dwyer was unable to attend
due to an overseas posting.
The End of an Era
- HMAS Otama Decommissioning Gallery
Oberons
on Display
HMAS
Ovens - Fremantle, Western Australia
HMAS
Onslow - Sydney, New South Wales
HMAS Otama -
Westernport, Victoria
HMAS
Otway - Holbrook,
NSW
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