HMAS Sheean


HMAS Sheean Statistics
Crest Sheean.gif
HMAS Sheean.jpg
Pennant SSG 77
Type Submarine
Classification Guided Missile Submarine, Diesel-Electric (SSG)
Class Collins Class
Based Perth
Launched 1 May 1999
Commissioned 23 February 2001
Displacement 3,350 tonnes3,350,000 kg
3,350,000,000 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
  • Diesel Electric, 1 x 5.4MW Jeumont Schneider main motor;
  • 3 x Hedemora VB 210 18 cylinder diesel's;
  • 3 x Jeumont Schneider Generators; single shaft
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 Sheean is the fifth Collins Class Submarine built by the ASC in Adelaide, Australia.

Sheean was named after Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean, who was lost when HMAS Armidale (I) was sunk on 1 December 1942 off the Timorese coast. Armidale (I) had survived two days of bombing before being struck by a Japanese aerial torpedo. During the action Ordinary Seaman Sheean was wounded and rather than abandoning ship with the rest of his shipmates, he strapped himself to the aft Oerlikon Gun and continued to fire at the attacking Japanese aircraft until Armidale (I) sank. Sheean was 'mentioned in dispatches' for his bravery.

Sheean is the only Australian naval vessel to be named after a sailor, and the Submarine continues to maintain strong ties with Teddy Sheean's hometown of Latrobe , Tasmania , Australia.

History of the Crest

The Blazon

Vert, in base embattled azure an oerlikon.

Motif Description

The blue field represents the Navy and the sea.

The green field represents the farming fields and Mt Roland of Sheean's home town of Latrobe.

The Oerlikon represents the weapon which Sheean manned to the last.

The division of the fields is known in heraldic terms as "embattled" and in this context signifys that Sheean's last stand was during battle.

Motto: "FIGHT ON"

The originally recommended ship's motto for HMAS Sheean was "Fight On" with and alternative of "Never Surrender". The alternative however was rejected on the basis that is was considered too alike "No Cede", the approved motto of HMAS Harman.

What's in a Name?

Lone Pine Service at the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli. Pictured is Lieutenant Hugh Jones talking...

Lone Pine Service at the Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli. Pictured is Lieutenant Hugh Jones talking...