HMAS Farncomb
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| Commanding Officer | Commander Tom Phillips |
|---|---|
| Pennant | SSG 74 |
| Class | Collins Class |
| Based | Perth |
| Launched | 15 December 1995 |
| Commissioned | 31 January 1998 |
| Displacement | 3,350 tonnes3,350,000 kg 3.35e+9 g 7,385,483.7 lb 118,167,772.7 oz (submerged) 3,050 tonnes (surfaced) |
| Length | 77.8 metres7,780 cm 0.0778 km 0.0483 mi 255.249 ft 3,062.992 in |
| Beam | 7.8 metres780 cm 0.0078 km 0.00485 mi 25.591 ft 307.087 in |
| Armament | |
| Main Machinery |
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| Speed | 20 knots10.289 m/s 37.04 km/h 0.0103 km/s 2,025.372 ft/min 33.756 ft/s (submerged) 10 knots (surfaced) |
| Company | 45 |
The keel of the second Collins Class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy was laid on 3 March 1991 at the ASC facility, South Australia. The construction and assembly of the submarine consumed the efforts of many over the following four years. On 15 December 1995, the submarine was launched as Farncomb.
The second of the Collins Class Submarines to enter service in the Royal Australian Navy, HMAS Farncomb's design and operational characteristics have been tailored specifi cally for its defence and surveillance roles.
HMAS Farncomb has evolved from five generations of submarines designed and built by the Swedish Navy. One of the first submarines to be totally designed by computers, HMAS Farncomb boasts a vast range of features. These include a high performance hull form, highly automated controls, low indiscretion rates, high shock resistance, optimal noise suppression, effi cient weapons handling and discharge, and an optional air-independent propulsion system.
The submarine is named after RADM Harold B. Farncomb CB, DSO, MVO, RAN who distinguished himself in action during World War II. He commanded HMAS Canberra (I) in 1941 when the ship forced two German raider support ships to scuttle while on Indian Ocean patrol. Later, aboard HMAS Australia (II) he saw action in the Coral Sea, Guadalcanal, the East Solomons, Arawe and Cape Gloucester. He assumed temporary command of His Majesty's Australian Squadron when CDRE Collins was wounded aboard the HMAS Australia (II) at Leyte in 1944. He commanded the Squadron in operations at Corregidor, Brunei and Balikpapan.
History of The Crest
The Blazon
Per fess azure and argent; fess wavy of two argent and azure, in chief a seven pointed star and in base, a swan rampant, wings elevated, sable, beaked and legged gules, gorged with a naval crown or, in fess point two swords of justice in saltire, points upward, hilted or, proper.
Motif Description
The field colourings of blue and white represent the Navy and the Sea.
The seven pointed star and the heraldic black swan are derived respectively from the HMAS Australia and HMAS Perth badges in which Farncomb served with distinction.
The crossed Swords of Justice represent the practice of law by Farncomb after his retirement from the Navy.
Motto: "WITH SKILL AND RESOLVE"
The motto for HMAS Farncomb is derived from the citation for the Distinguished Service Order awarded to Captain Farncomb as Commanding Officer HMAS Australia at Guadalcanal in August 1943.
