HMAS Sheean

Last updated

HMAS Sheean (SSG 77) at Pearl Harbor in July 2014.JPG
Sheean at Pearl Harbor in July 2014
History
Naval Ensign of Australia.svgAustralia
NameSheean
NamesakeOrdinary Seaman Edward "Teddy" Sheean VC
Builder Australian Submarine Corporation, Osborne
Laid down17 February 1994
Launched1 May 1999
Commissioned23 February 2001
Homeport Fleet Base West, Perth
Motto"Fight On"
StatusActive as of 2016
Badge HMAS sheean crest.png
General characteristics
Class and type Collins-class submarine
Displacement
  • 3,051 tonnes (surfaced)
  • 3,353 tonnes (submerged)
Length77.42 m (254.0 ft)
Beam7.8 m (26 ft)
Draught7 m (23 ft) at waterline
Installed power3 × Garden Island-Hedemora HV V18b/15Ub (VB210) 18-cylinder diesel motors, 3 × Jeumont-Schneider generators (1,400 kW, 440-volt DC)
Propulsion
  • Main: 1 × Jeumont-Schneider DC motor (7,200 shp), driving 1 × seven-bladed, 4.22 m (13.8 ft) diameter skewback propeller
  • Emergency: 1 × MacTaggart Scott DM 43006 retractable hydraulic motor
Speed
  • 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) (surfaced and snorkel depth)
  • 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) (submerged)
Range
  • 11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km; 13,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) (surfaced)
  • 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) (snorkel)
  • 32.6 nautical miles (60.4 km; 37.5 mi) at 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) (submerged)
  • 480 nautical miles (890 km; 550 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) (submerged)
Endurance70 days
Test depthOver 180 m (590 ft) (actual depth classified)
Complement
  • Originally 42 (plus up to 12 trainees)
  • Increased to 58 in 2009
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Radar:
  • GEC-Marconi Type 1007 surface search radar
  • Sonar:
  • Thales Scylla bow and distributed sonar arrays
  • Thales Karriwarra or Namara towed sonar array
  • ArgoPhoenix AR-740-US intercept array
  • Combat system:
  • Modified Raytheon CCS Mk2
Armament
  • 6 × 21-inch (530 mm) bow torpedo tubes
  • Payload: 22 torpedoes, mix of:
  • Mark 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedoes
  • UGM-84C Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles
  • Or: 44 Stonefish Mark III mines
NotesThe 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 Sheean (SSG 77) is the fifth of six Collins-class submarines operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Contents

Named for Ordinary Seaman Edward Sheean VC—the only submarine of the class to be named for an enlisted sailor—the boat was laid down in 1994 and launched in 1999. Sheean and sister boat Dechaineux were modified during construction as part of the "fast track" program—an attempt to fix the problems affecting the Collins class, and put at least two fully operational submarines in service before the last Oberon-class submarine was decommissioned.

Characteristics

The Collins class is an enlarged version of the Västergötland class submarine designed by Kockums. [1] At 77.42 metres (254.0 ft) in length, with a beam of 7.8 metres (26 ft) and a waterline depth of 7 metres (23 ft), displacing 3,051 tonnes when surfaced, and 3,353 tonnes when submerged, they are the largest conventionally powered submarines in the world. [2] [3] The hull is constructed from high-tensile micro-alloy steel, and are covered in a skin of anechoic tiles to minimise detection by sonar. [4] [5] The depth that they can dive to is classified: most sources claim that it is over 180 metres (590 ft), [6] [7]

The submarine is armed with six 21-inch (530 mm) 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. [3] [8] [9]

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. [3] [8] 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, 4.22-metre (13.8 ft) diameter skewback propeller. [3] [10] The Collins class has a speed of 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) when surfaced and at snorkel depth, and can reach 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) underwater. [3] The submarines have a range of 11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km; 13,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) when surfaced, 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) at snorkel depth. [3] When submerged completely, a Collins-class submarine can travel 32.6 nautical miles (60.4 km; 37.5 mi) at maximum speed, or 480 nautical miles (890 km; 550 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph). [3] Each boat has an endurance of 70 days. [3]

The issues with the Collins class highlighted in the McIntosh-Prescott Report and the pressing need to have combat-ready submarines in the RAN fleet with the pending decommissioning of Otama, the final Oberon-class submarine in Australian service, prompted the establishment of an A$1 billion program to bring Sheean and sister boat Dechaineux up to an operational standard as quickly as possible, referred to as the "fast track" or "get well" program. [11] The fast track program required the installation of reliable diesel engines, fixing hydrodynamic noise issues by modifying the hull design and propeller, and providing a functional combat system. [12] The original Rockwell International-designed combat system had been cancelled, but because there wasn't enough time to evaluate the replacement system to include it in the "fast track" program, the two submarines were fitted with components from the old Rockwell system, which were augmented by commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software. [13] Even with the enhanced Rockwell system, it was believed that the capabilities of the fast track Collins boats was only equivalent to the Oberons. [14]

Sheean was named for Ordinary Seaman Edward "Teddy" Sheean, who manned an Oerlikon and fired on Japanese aircraft attacking the bathurst-class corvette HMAS Armidale, dying when the ship sank. After his ship was damaged shortly in the fight, an abandon ship order was called. Teddy, realizing that the men in the water would be massacred by the incoming Japanese zeroes, manned an anti-aircraft gun, successfully downing 3 aircraft. Teddy was last seen still at his gun, continuously firing, even as he was pulled under, stilled strapped to his anti-aircraft gun. [15] Sheean is the only submarine named after an enlisted sailor. [15] The submarine was laid down by Australian Submarine Corporation, on 17 February 1994, launched on 1 May 1999 by Ivy Hayes, Teddy Sheean's sister, and commissioned into the RAN on 23 February 2001. [16]

Operational history

Sheean on display at Maritime Day, Fremantle Harbour, 2016 HMAS Sheean (SSG 77), Fremantle, 2016 (02).jpg
Sheean on display at Maritime Day, Fremantle Harbour, 2016

On 14 December 2000, Sheean and Dechaineux arrived at HMAS Stirling, following the completion of sea trials. [17]

The submarine participated in RIMPAC 02, where Sheean was able to penetrate the air and surface anti-submarine screens of an eight-ship amphibious task force, then successfully attacked both the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa and the dock landing ship USS Rushmore. [18] [19] During two weeks of combat trials in August 2002, Sheean demonstrated that the class was comparable in the underwater warfare role to the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Olympia. [18] [20] The two submarines traded roles during the exercise and were equally successful in the attacking role, despite Olympia being larger, more powerful, and armed with more advanced torpedoes than Sheean. [20]

In 2006, Sheean was presented with the Gloucester Cup for being the RAN vessel with the greatest overall efficiency over the previous twelve months. [21]

Sheean was docked for a long maintenance period in 2008, but workforce shortages and malfunctions on other submarines requiring urgent attention have drawn this out: RAN and ASC officials predicted in 2010 that she would not be back in service until 2012. [22] The maintenance period ended in late 2012, and Sheean spent the rest of the year working back up to operational status. [23] The submarine was formally returned to service on 23 February 2013. [24]

On 16 July 2013, Sheean was damaged while berthed at the Australian Marine Complex. [25] Combi Dock III , a cargo ship owned by Danish company Combi Lift and intended to supply the Gorgon gas project, broke free of moorings during a storm, and drifted into the submarine, causing damage to Sheean's propeller and steering apparatus. [25] Combi Dock III was impounded by the Australian government until 13 September, when Combi Lift agreed to pay for the damage. [25]

On 21 September 2021 Sheean experienced an emergency during a training exercise when water entered via a pump and the automatic system that is intended to respond to such malfunctions failed. The crew were forced to rapidly bring the submarine to the surface. The Australian Financial Review reported that there were concerns that the submarine's crew had a poor safety culture, and that some members of the crew had requested transfers off the boat due to the trauma they experienced in the accident. The Navy stated that the submarine had experienced a "minor flooding incident" and had not been in danger of sinking, and that it returned to service within a few days of the accident. [26]

Citations

  1. ↑ Woolner, Procuring Change, p. 7
  2. ↑ Jones, in The Royal Australian Navy, p. 244
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wertheirm (ed.), Combat Fleets of the World, p. 18
  4. ↑ Yule & Woolner, The Collins Class Submarine Story, pp. 165–74
  5. ↑ ‘Built in Australia’ Collins rolls out, Jane's Defence Weekly
  6. ↑ Wertheirm (ed.), Combat Fleets of the World, p. 19
  7. ↑ Grazebrook, RAN prepares for Collins class
  8. 1 2 SSK Collins Class (Type 471) Attack Submarine, naval-technology.com
  9. ↑ Heavyweight Torpedo – Mark 48, United States Navy Fact File
  10. ↑ Grazebrook, Collins class comes up Down Under
  11. ↑ Yule & Woolner, The Collins Class Submarine Story, pp. 288–9
  12. ↑ Yule & Woolner, The Collins Class Submarine Story, pp. 291–4
  13. ↑ Yule & Woolner, The Collins Class Submarine Story, pp. 292–4
  14. ↑ Yule & Woolner, The Collins Class Submarine Story, p. 294
  15. 1 2 Yule & Woolner, The Collins Class Submarine Story, p. 340
  16. ↑ "HMAS Sheean".
  17. ↑ Yule & Woolner, The Collins Class Submarine Story, p. 298
  18. 1 2 Thompson, Lessons not learned, p. 28
  19. ↑ Field, Prawns, roo end RIMPAC 2002 at Pearl Harbor
  20. 1 2 Nicholson, Collins sub shines in US war game
  21. ↑ Jeffrey, Presentation of the 2007 Gloucester Cup to HMAS Rankin, [speech]
  22. ↑ Oakes, Two subs out of action for 9 years
  23. ↑ Berry, Paul (6 December 2012). "This year in review". Navy News. Directorate of Defence News. pp. 6–7.
  24. ↑ Bird, Isabel (24 February 2013). "HMAS Sheean pays visit to Devonport". The Examiner. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  25. 1 2 3 Klinger, Peter (17 September 2013). "Gorgon ship freed after sub smash". The West Australian. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  26. ↑ Tillett, Andrew (6 May 2022). "Crew feared ageing Australian submarine would sink in deep sea mishap". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 8 May 2022.

Related Research Articles

HMAS <i>Newcastle</i> Adelaide-class frigate

HMAS Newcastle, named for the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, the largest provincial city in Australia, was an Adelaide-class guided-missile frigate. The last ship of the class to be constructed, Newcastle entered service with the Royal Australian Navy in 1993. During her career, the frigate has operated as part of the INTERFET peacekeeping taskforce, served in the Persian Gulf, and responded to the 2006 Fijian coup d'état. The frigate was decommissioned on 30 June 2019 and transferred to the Chilean Navy on 15 April 2020 and renamed as Capitán Prat.

HMAS <i>Collins</i>

HMAS Collins is the lead vessel of the six-submarine Collins class operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

HMAS <i>Farncomb</i>

HMAS Farncomb is the second of six Collins-class submarines 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.

HMAS <i>Waller</i>

HMAS Waller is the third of six Collins-class submarines operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

HMAS <i>Dechaineux</i>

HMAS Dechaineux is the fourth of six Collins class submarines operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

HMAS <i>Rankin</i> Diesel-electric submarine of the Australian navy

HMAS Rankin is the sixth and final submarine of the Collins class, which are operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Named for Lieutenant Commander Robert William Rankin, the boat was laid down in 1995, and commissioned into the RAN in March 2003, following major delays.

HMAS <i>Onslow</i> Royal Australian Navy submarine (1969–1999)

HMAS Onslow is one of six Oberon-class submarines, previously operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The submarine was named after the town of Onslow, Western Australia, and Sir Alexander Onslow, with the boat's motto and badge derived from Onslow's family heritage. Ordered in 1963, Onslow was laid down at the end of 1967 by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Scotland, launched almost a year later, and commissioned into the RAN at the end of 1969.

HMAS Orion was an Oberon-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). One of six submarines ordered by the RAN during the 1960s, Orion, named after the constellation in a break from ship-naming tradition, was built in Scotland and commissioned in 1977. Orion was one of two Oberon-class submarines designed for intelligence gathering and conducted regular patrols in Soviet, Indian and Chinese waters to gather information regarding enemy capabilities.

HMAS <i>Otama</i> RAN Oberon Class submarine

HMAS Otama was an Oberon-class submarine, formerly of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Built in Scotland, the submarine was the last of the class to enter service when commissioned into the RAN in 1978. Otama was a specialist, one of two "Mystery Boats", fitted with additional surveillance and intelligence-gathering equipment. Otama was routinely deployed on classified operations to obtain intelligence on Soviet Pacific Fleet vessels and Chinese Navy vessels, and conducted associated coastal surveillance, throughout Asia.

HMAS <i>Ovens</i>

HMAS Ovens is an Oberon-class submarine, formerly of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was one of six Oberons built for the Royal Australian Navy by the Scottish Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, and entered service in 1969. The vessel was named for Irishman and Australian explorer John Ovens (1788–1825) and for whom the Victorian river Ovens was named. During her career, Ovens was the first RAN submarine to deploy with the ANZUK force, and the first RAN submarine to fire an armed Mark 48 torpedo, sinking the target ship Colac. The boat was decommissioned in 1995, and is preserved at the Western Australian Maritime Museum as a museum ship.

HMS <i>J2</i> J class submarine

HMS J2 was a J-class submarine operated by the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy.

<i>Oberon</i>-class submarine British-designed underwater naval vessel

The Oberon class was a ship class of 27 British-designed submarines operated by five nations. They were designed as a follow-on from the Porpoise class; physical dimensions were the same but stronger materials were used in hull construction and improved equipment was fitted.

<i>Collins</i>-class submarine Australian underwater naval vessel

The Collins-class submarines are Australian-built diesel-electric submarines operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The Collins class takes its name from Australian Vice Admiral John Augustine Collins; each of the six submarines is named after significant RAN personnel who distinguished themselves in action during World War II. The six vessels were the first submarines built in Australia, prompting widespread improvements in Australian industry and delivering a sovereign sustainment/maintenance capability.

HMAS <i>Arunta</i> (FFH 151) Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Arunta is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The ship, named for the Arrernte people, was laid down in 1995 and commissioned in 1998. Since entering service, Arunta has performed a wide range of duties, including border protection patrols in northern Australian waters, and several deployments to the Persian Gulf.

HMAS <i>Warramunga</i> (FFH 152) Anzac-class frigate of Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Warramunga is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). One of ten frigates built for the Australian and New Zealand navies, Warramunga was laid down by Tenix Defence in 1997 and commissioned in 2001. During her career, the frigate has operated in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst, and undertaken anti-piracy operations off Somalia. Warramunga underwent the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade during 2014. She is active as of October 2022.

HMAS <i>Ballarat</i> (FFH 155) Anzac-class frigate of Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Ballarat is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The frigate was laid down in 2000 and commissioned into the RAN in mid-2004. Since entering service, Ballarat has been involved in border protection as part of Operation Relex II, was deployed to the Gulf for Operation Catalyst, and was one of the two ships involved in the Operation Northern Trident 2009 round-the-world voyage. Ballarat has undergone the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade, completing in 2015.

HMAS <i>Armidale</i> (J240) Bathurst-class corvette

HMAS Armidale (J240), named for the then town of Armidale, New South Wales, was one of 60 Bathurst-class corvettes constructed during World War II, and one of 36 initially manned and commissioned solely by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service</span> Submarine element of the Royal Australian Navy

The Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service is the submarine element of the Royal Australian Navy. The service currently forms the Navy's Submarine Force Element Group (FEG) and consists of six Collins class submarines.

HMAS <i>Otway</i> (S 59) 1968–1994 Oberon-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Otway was an Oberon-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). One of the first four Oberon-class boats ordered for the RAN, Otway was built in Scotland during the mid-1960s, and commissioned into naval service in 1968. The submarine was decommissioned in 1994. The submarine's upper casing, fin, and stern are preserved at Holbrook, New South Wales.

HMAS <i>Oxley</i> (S 57) 1967–1992 Oberon-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Oxley was an Oberon-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

References

Books
Journal and news articles
Other media

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.