HMAS Rankin
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| Commanding Officer | Commander Phillip Stanford |
|---|---|
| Pennant | SSG 78 |
| Class | Collins Class |
| Based | Perth |
| Launched | 7 November 2001 |
| Commissioned | 29 March 2003 |
| 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 |
HMAS Rankin is the final, in a class of six, of Australian built submarines. Based on a Swedish design, these submarines are amongst the largest and most sophisticated conventionally powered submarines in the world. Being specifically designed to meet demanding operational requirements, Rankin's characteristics have been tailored for defence and surveillance roles.
Rankin boasts an impressive array of features including; a high performance hull form, highly automated controls, low indiscretion rates, optimal noise suppression and efficient weapons handling and discharge systems.
The submarine is named after LCDR Robert William 'Oscar' Rankin who distinguished himself in action in World War II. He commanded the sloop HMAS Yarra (II) and was conducting convoy escort duties in the Northern Indian Ocean when attacked by a Japanese force in February 1942. Facing a far superior force of three Heavy Cruisers and two Destroyers, Rankin gallantly positioned his ship between the Japanese and the scattering convoy vessels. Rankin fought his ship tot he very last in an intense exchange. He was killed when an eight inch salvo hit the bridge shortly after passing the order to abandon ship. The motto "Defend The Weak" is testimony to Robert Rankin and the Yarra's determination to defend the unarmed convoy ships.
Rankin is based at Fleet Base West in Western Australia, as a unit in The Australian Submarine Force. "The Black Knight", as the submarine is affectionately known, is a formidable part of Australia's Fighting Force and remains ready to live up to the legacy of Robert Rankin.
History of the Crest
The Blazon
Argent; fess wavy of three azure and argent a shield azure, fimbriated gold, charged with an admiralty anchor or, surmounted by an esquire's helmet proper.
Motif Description
The "Barry Wavy" in blue and white represents the Navy and the sea.
In heraldy, an officer in the Navy above the rank of Lieutenant can be called or recognised as an Esquire and an Esquire was also regarded as a shield bearer. In this instance, the Esquire's helmet represents Lieutenant Commander Rankin as the Esquire, carrying his shield, namely HMAS Yarra and protecting the ships it was escorting from attach by superior Japanese forces in WWII.
The anchor on the shield depicts the naval environment of the protection provided by Rankin.
Motto: "DEFEND THE WEAK"
The original motto proposed for HMAS Rankin was "My Ship Your Shield" however the motto had previously been used for HMAS Madang and so was rejected in favour of the current motto.
