View source for HMAS Onslow

{{Short description|Royal Australian Navy submarine (1969–1999)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:HMAS Onslow alone.jpg|300px|alt=A submarine tied up alongside a wharf on a calm day. Numerous skyscrapers are in the background]]
|Ship caption=HMAS ''Onslow'' on display at the [[Australian National Maritime Museum]]
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Ship country=Australia
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Australia|naval}}
|Ship namesake=Town of [[Onslow, Western Australia]]
|Ship ordered=1963
|Ship builder=[[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]], [[Greenock]]
|Ship laid down=4 December 1967
|Ship launched=3 December 1968
|Ship commissioned=22 December 1969
|Ship decommissioned=29 March 1999
|Ship refit=Modernisation (1982–1984)
|Ship homeport={{HMAS|Platypus|naval base|6}} Sydney
|Ship motto=''[[Festina Lente]]'' ("Hasten Slowly")
|Ship nickname=
|Ship status=Museum ship at the [[Australian National Maritime Museum]] since April 1999
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Ship class={{sclass|Oberon|submarine}}
|Ship displacement=*1,610&nbsp;tons standard
*2,030&nbsp;tons surfaced
*2,410&nbsp;tons submerged
|Ship length={{convert|295.2|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|26.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|18|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=*2 × Admiralty Standard Range supercharged V16 diesel generators
*2 × English Electric motors
*3,500&nbsp;bhp, 4,500&nbsp;shp
*2 shafts
|Ship speed=*{{convert|12|kn}} surfaced
*{{convert|17|kn}} submerged
*{{convert|11|kn}} at snorkel depth
|Ship range={{convert|9000|nmi}} at {{convert|12|kn}}
|Ship test depth={{convert|200|m|ft}}
|Ship complement=*'''As launched:'''
*8 officers, 56 sailors
*'''At decommissioning:'''
*8 officers, 60 sailors
|Ship sensors=*'''Sonar:'''
*Atlas Elektronik Type CSU3-41 bow array
*BAC Type 2007 flank array
*Sperry [[BQG-4]] Micropuffs rangefinding array
*'''Radar:'''
*Kelvin Hughes Type 1006
|Ship armament=*'''Torpedo tubes:'''
*6 × {{convert|21|in|cm|adj=on}} bow tubes
*2 × short-length {{convert|21|in|cm|adj=on}} stern tubes (later removed)
*'''Payload:''' Mix of 20:
*[[Mark 48 torpedo|Mark 48 Mod 4]] torpedoes
*[[Boeing Harpoon|UGM-84 Sub Harpoon]] missiles
|Ship notes=Taken from:<ref name=Janes96>Sharpe (ed.), ''Jane's Fighting Ships, 1996–1997'', p. 23</ref><ref name=Shaw15>Shaw, ''HMAS Onslow'', p. 15</ref>
}}
|}
'''HMAS ''Onslow'' (SS 60/SSG 60)''' is one of six {{sclass|Oberon|submarine}}s, 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 [[ship's badge|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.

During her career, ''Onslow'' became the first conventionally powered submarine to be fitted with anti-ship missiles, and was successful in wargames, "sinking" a seven-ship flotilla during Exercise Kangaroo 3 in 1980 and the United States supercarrier {{USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70|6}} at [[RIMPAC]] 1998.<ref name=curtispride/><ref name=White202/><ref name=Lind303/><ref name=jollyroger/>

After being decommissioned in March 1999, ''Onslow'' was then presented to the [[Australian National Maritime Museum]] in April, where she is preserved as a museum ship.

==Design and construction==
''Onslow'' is one of four ''Oberon''-class submarines ordered in 1963.<ref name=Janes96/> The last of this group, ''Onslow'' was laid down by Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. in Greenock, Scotland on 4 December 1967.<ref name=Janes96/> She was launched by [[Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy]] on 3 December 1968, and commissioned into the RAN on 22 December 1969.<ref name=White199>White, ''Australian submarines'', p. 199</ref> The boat was named after the coastal town of [[Onslow, Western Australia]], which was in turn named after Sir [[Alexander Onslow]], the third [[Chief Justice of Western Australia]].<ref name=White199/> ''Onslow''{{'}}s motto, ''[[Festina Lente]]'' (Latin for "Hasten Slowly"), is shared with the [[Earl of Onslow|Onslow family]], and the [[ship's badge]] contains a judge's wig.<ref name=White200>White, ''Australian submarines'', p. 200</ref> Although this was the only use of the name by the RAN, two surface ships of the Royal Navy have previously been named {{HMS|Onslow}}.<ref name=White199/>

[[File:HMAS Onslow nameplate.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A rectangular plaque mounted on a bulkhead. The plaque reads "H.M.A.S. "Onslow". Engine no 798. Scotts' Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd. Greenock. 1969"|The builders' plaque for ''Onslow'']]
The submarine is {{convert|295.2|ft|m}} long, with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|26.5|ft|m}}, and a [[Draught (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|18|ft|m}} when surfaced.<ref name=Janes96/> At full load [[Displacement (nautical)|displacement]], ''Onslow'' displaces 2,030&nbsp;tons when surfaced, and 2,410&nbsp;tons when submerged.<ref name=Janes96/> The two propeller shafts are each driven by an [[English Electric]] motor providing 3,500&nbsp;[[brake horsepower]] and 4,500&nbsp;[[shaft horsepower]]; the electricity for these is generated by two Admiralty Standard Range supercharged V16 diesel generators.<ref name=Shaw15/> These can propel the submarine at up to {{convert|12|kn}} on the surface, and up to {{convert|17|kn}} when submerged.<ref name=Janes96/> ''Onslow'' has a maximum range of {{convert|9000|nmi}} at {{convert|12|kn}}, and a [[test depth]] of {{convert|200|m|ft}} below sea level.<ref name=Janes96/><ref name=Shaw15/> When launched, the boat had a company of 8 officers and 56 sailors, but by the time she was decommissioned, the number of sailors had increased to 60.<ref name=Janes96/><ref name=Shaw15/> In addition, up to 16 trainees could be carried.<ref name=Shaw15/>

Unlike other submarines in her class, ''Onslow'' is fitted with a four-man diver access hatch, allowing for easier deployment and recovery of special forces divers.<ref name=Shaw10>Shaw, ''HMAS Onslow'', p. 10</ref>

===Armament===
The main armament of ''Onslow'' are six {{convert|21|in|cm|adj=on}} bow torpedo tubes, capable of firing torpedoes or releasing sea mines.<ref name=Janes96/> The [[British 21 inch torpedo#21 inch Mark VIII|British Mark 8 torpedo]] was initially carried by the submarine; this was replaced by the wire-guided [[British 21 inch torpedo#21 inch Mark 23 Grog|Mark 23]].<ref name=Shaw21>Shaw, ''HMAS Onslow'', p. 21</ref> During a refit from 1982 to 1984, ''Oberon'' became the first conventionally-powered submarine in the world to be fitted with anti-ship missiles—specifically, the [[Boeing Harpoon|UGM-84 Sub Harpoon]].<ref name=White202/><ref name=Lind303/> At the same time, the Mark 23 torpedoes were replaced by the [[Mark 48 torpedo|United States Mark 48]] wire-guided torpedo.<ref name=White202/> As of 1996, the standard payload of ''Onslow'' was a mix of 20 Mark 48 Mod 4 torpedoes and Sub Harpoon missiles.<ref name=Janes96/> Some or all of the torpedo payload could be replaced by [[Stonefish (mine)|Mark 5 Stonefish]] sea mines, which were deployed through the torpedo tubes.<ref name=Shaw21/>

The submarine's secondary armament consisted of two stern-mounted, short-length {{convert|21|in|cm|adj=on}} torpedo tubes: these were intended for use against pursuing submarines, but the development of steerable wire-guided torpedoes shortly after the boat entered service made these redundant, and they were closed off during the 1982–84 refit.<ref name=Shaw19>Shaw, ''HMAS Onslow'', p. 19</ref> The aft tubes fired [[Mark 20 Bidder|Mark 20]] anti-submarine torpedoes.<ref name=Shaw19/>

==Operational history==

===1970–1981===
''Onslow'' arrived in Sydney at the conclusion of her delivery voyage to Australia on 4 July 1970.<ref name=White200/> On board was Vice Admiral Sir [[Victor Smith]], at the time the [[Chief of Navy (Australia)|Chief of Naval Staff]], who had embarked at Brisbane.<ref name=White200/> The boat visited [[Pearl Harbor]] later that year; arriving without being detected by the USN until she surfaced in the middle of the harbour.<ref>Pratley, ''Farewell to a quiet achiever'', p. 59</ref> ''Onslow'' returned to Pearl Harbor in 1971 to participate in the [[RIMPAC]] multinational naval exercise.<ref name=Shaw6>Shaw, ''HMAS Onslow'', p. 6</ref> During the exercise, a practice torpedo fired by the United States Coast Guard Cutter {{USCGC|Rush|WHEC-723|2}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110688057|title=Onslow makes repair|date=16 November 1971|work=The Canberra Times|publisher=trove.nla.gov.au|page=3|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> failed to disengage as designed and hit the submarine—the only damage was a small dent near the stern.<ref name=Shaw6/>

''Onslow'' became the first vessel of the RAN to be assigned to the [[ANZUK]] force in Singapore on 22 July 1972.<ref name="Gillett">Gillett, ''Warships of Australia'', p. 198</ref> During another ANZUK deployment, in 1974, the boat's attack periscope was damaged when it came in contact with the log probe of the frigate {{HMS|Leopard|F14|6}}.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} The boat returned to Australia on 18 December.<ref name="Gillett" /> On 5 May 1975, ''Onslow'' began a two-year refit at [[Cockatoo Island Dockyard]], becoming the first Australian submarine to use the dockyard's new slave dock.<ref name="Jeremy64">Jeremy, ''Cockatoo Island'', p. 64</ref> This dock had been built specifically for refit work on ''Oberon''-class submarines, and was the main location of all ''Onslow''{{'}}s refits until 1990.<ref name="Jeremy64" /> In 1977, ''Onslow'' was presented with the [[Gloucester Cup]], marking her as the most efficient warship in the RAN during the previous year—''Onslow'' was the first submarine to receive the award.<ref name="Shaw6" />

[[File:Onslow old bow dome.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=A submarine underway on the surface. A man is standing near the boat's bow sonar dome, while other personnel are visible on top of the sail|''Onslow'' underway on the surface. A sailor is standing near the original bow sonar dome. This dome was replaced during the submarine's 1982–84 refit, as the new sonar was larger.]]
In 1980, ''Onslow'' participated in [[Exercise Kangaroo]] 3 as an [[opposing force|opposing submarine]].<ref name=jollyroger>Richards & Smith, ''Onslow's Jolly Roger'', pp. 11–12</ref> During the exercise, ''Onslow'' carried out successful simulated attacks on all seven surface ships involved in the exercise without being 'sunk' herself, including a simultaneous 'attack' on two [[United States Navy]] (USN) amphibious warfare vessels and a RAN replenishment ship while they were under escort by the other four warships.<ref name=jollyroger/> To indicate her success, the submarine flew a [[Use of the Jolly Roger by submarines|Jolly Roger]] from her communications mast upon her return to port, which was marked with the silhouettes of her seven targets: the {{sclass|Perth|destroyer|2}}s {{HMAS|Brisbane|D 41|6}} and {{HMAS|Hobart|D 39|6}}, the {{sclass|Knox|frigate|2}} {{USS|Lang|FF-1060|6}}, the {{sclass2|River|destroyer escort|2}} {{HMAS|Yarra|DE 45|6}}, the {{sclass|Anchorage|dock landing ship|2}} {{USS|Mount Vernon|LSD-39|6}}, the {{sclass|Newport|tank landing ship|2}} {{USS|Bristol County|LST-1198|6}}, and the {{sclass2|Tide|replenishment oiler|2}} {{HMAS|Supply|AO 195|6}}.<ref name=jollyroger/>

On 1 March 1981, ''Onslow'' participated in wargames with a [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] frigate off the coast of Sydney.<ref name=Sundaynight>''Seconds from Disaster'' [''Sunday Night'' segment]</ref> While operating at periscope depth, the submarine spotted an 'enemy' [[P-3C Orion]] aircraft{{verification needed|date=July 2012}} and stopped snorting (the process of taking in air to operate the boat's two diesel generators and expelling the produced exhaust through a [[submarine snorkel|snorkel]]) in preparation to go deep.<ref name=Sundaynight/> Both generators were turned off, but upon diving, it was quickly discovered that the starboard diesel had failed to switch off or had restarted and as the exhaust snorkel was sealed, the [[carbon monoxide]] exhaust filled the submarine.<ref name=Sundaynight/> ''Onslow'' rapidly resurfaced, and the exhaust was pumped from the submarine.<ref name=Sundaynight/> Able Seaman Christopher Passlow, who had been on the lower deck of the submarine at the time, died of [[asphyxiation]] and carbon monoxide poisoning, while another eighteen were rendered unconscious or were convulsing because of blood poisoning.<ref name=Sundaynight/><ref>White, ''Australian submarines'', p. 203</ref> Upon returning to base, doctors found that one-third of the 66 survivors had absorbed twice the lethal limit of carbon monoxide into their blood.<ref name=Sundaynight/> The crew onboard were taken to Soldiers Beach surf club and provided with free alcohol for 3 days before returning back to duties. They were not compensated in any other way as stated they were by the RAN.

The RAN Board of Inquiry into the incident concluded that the accident was caused by human error—the duty engineer failed to shut down both engines—but members of ''Onslow''{{'}}s complement disagree with this, claiming the problem to be mechanical in origin.<ref name=Sundaynight/> Changes were made to [[Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service|Submarine Service]] operating procedures as a result of the Inquiry, but the investigation and subsequent report remained classified until 2009, when the information was acquired by the ''[[Sunday Night (Australian TV program)|Sunday Night]]'' [[newsmagazine]] program under the [[Freedom of Information Act 1982|Freedom of Information Act]].<ref name=Sundaynight/> When interviewed by ''Sunday Night'' in March 2009, the deputy Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral [[Davyd Thomas]] (who had been Passlow's [[divisional officer (military)|divisional officer]]<!-- Is "division officer"—which does have an article—meant here? --> prior to the incident) promised counselling for the survivors, and claimed that prior treatment of the ''Onslow'' submariners was due to a limited understanding of [[post-traumatic stress disorder]] back in the 1980s.<ref name=Sundaynight/>

===1982–1990===
''Onslow'' underwent a modernisation refit from 1982 until 1984, becoming the third Australian ''Oberon'' to be modernised.<ref name=White202>White, ''Australian submarines'', p. 202</ref> As part of the modernisation, integrated data processing and fire control systems were installed, and the boat was fitted with [[Passive Underwater Fire Control Feasibility System|Micropuffs]] passive ranging sonar.<ref>White, ''Australian submarines'', p. 201</ref> The torpedo payload was upgraded to the United States [[Mark 48 torpedo|Mark 48 wire-guided torpedo]].<ref name=White202/> In addition to new torpedoes, the modernisation allowed ''Oberon''-class submarines to carry and fire the [[Boeing Harpoon|Harpoon anti-ship missile]] through the torpedo tubes: ''Onslow'' became the first conventionally-powered submarine in the world to be fitted with guided anti-ship missiles.<ref name=White202/><ref name=Lind303>Lind, ''The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year'', p. 303</ref>

''Onslow'' was the first Australian submarine to visit the west coast of the United States of America when she arrived in San Diego on 17 July 1985.<ref>Lind, ''The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year'', p. 304</ref> The boat made goodwill visits to the cities of San Francisco and Seattle during mid-August, before participating in the Royal Fleet Review for the 75th anniversary of the [[Royal Canadian Navy]].<ref name=White200/><ref>''Australian Submarine to visit San Francisco'', PR Newswire, p. 7</ref>

''Onslow''{{'}}s "safe to dive" certificate ran out just after Christmas 1989.<ref name=nodive>Grigson, ''Nothing doing down under for our subs'', p. 3</ref> The Australian government had been trialling a program whereby refit work was tendered out to the private sector; delays in selecting the winning company and allocating the funds meant that an 18-month refit of the submarine scheduled to begin at the start of 1990 did not commence on time.<ref name=nodive/> [[Australian Defence Industries]] (ADI) was awarded the $100 million refit contract for ''Onslow'' and sister submarine {{HMAS|Otama}} in July.<ref>Grigson, ''$100M submarine refits to stay in Sydney'', p. 2</ref> Cockatoo Island's slave dock was transferred to the ADI facilities at Garden Island in November 1990, and was used for the refit.<ref name=Jeremy64/> It was later found, during arbitration between the Australian Government and Cockatoo Island Dockyard for various issues, that by tendering out the submarine refits to other companies, the government was in breach of contract with the Dockyard; A$17.3 million in compensation was awarded to the dockyard in August 1996 for loss of profits and overhead costs.<ref>Jeremy, ''Cockatoo Island'', pp. 52–3</ref>

===1990–1999===
In the early 1990s, four of ''Onslow''{{'}}s sister boats were decommissioned from service. By 1996, ''Onslow'' and ''Otama'' were the only members of the class in active service.

During 1995, ''Onslow'' was deployed to South East Asia. During this deployment, the personnel of ''Onslow'' were involved in a controversial [[line-crossing ceremony]] while operating near the equator.<ref name=AAMH>Weaver, ''Navy crosses the line with anal antics'', p. 13</ref> During this particular ceremony, normally intended to induct new sailors into the "court of King Neptune", the victims were verbally and physically abused, had their pelvises and genitals covered in what was described as a "blistering concoction", then thrown overboard and forced to stay there until the rest of the company permitted them on board.<ref name=AAMH/> When one of the victimised sailors complained to superiors, he became subject to several administrative errors and inconveniences, to the point where he was forced to resign a year later.<ref name=AAMH/> The sailor acquired a copy of a videotape made of the ceremony and presented it to the [[Nine Network]], which broke the story on 6 July 1999.<ref name=AAMH/> An inquiry into the incident aboard ''Onslow'' was held, which found that although guidelines had been developed in the years after the incident to prevent harassment in the Australian Defence Force, disciplinary charges against the sailors involved could not be laid, as more than three years had passed since the offence.<ref name=AAPnoDis>Australian Associated Press, ''Sailors won't be disciplined over videotaped ceremony''</ref> The inquiry also stated that while line-crossing ceremonies would continue to be held aboard RAN vessels, they would be supervised by a non-involved member of the crew to prevent similar extreme situations developing.<ref name=AAPnoDis/> The deployment ended in December, with ''Onslow'' visiting her namesake town for the last time on her return to Australia.<ref name=SnubSub>Barton, ''Onslow snubbed on sub visit'', p. 38</ref>

On the evening of 16 April 1997, three [[Australian Special Air Service Regiment]] soldiers were injured when they were thrown from their Zodiac boat during launch and recovery exercises with the submarine.<ref>Seymour, ''SAS men hurt in submarine exercise'', p. 4</ref> Later that year, in November, ''Onslow'' participated in a joint RAN-[[Royal Australian Air Force|RAAF]] exercise off the coast of Western Australia.<ref name=Fighters>Cusworth, ''Farewell flight for fighters'', p. 48</ref> Over the end of 1997 and the start of 1998, ''Onslow'' and ''Otama'' were used for trials of the Australian-designed Narama [[towed array sonar]].<ref name=janeNI>''Narama Sonar secures first sales'', Jane's Navy International, p. 36</ref> The Narama sonar was one of the towed arrays under consideration for incorporation with the under-development{{sclass|Collins|submarine}}s,<ref name=janeNI/> and was the array selected.

In mid-1998, the date of ''Onslow''{{'}}s decommissioning was announced for early 1999.<ref name=SnubSub/> Representatives from the town of [[Onslow, Western Australia]] requested that the submarine visit her namesake town before decommissioning, but were informed that the submarine's planned operational schedule could not accommodate such a visit.<ref name=SnubSub/> As part of this schedule, ''Onslow'' participated in the 1998 [[RIMPAC]] exercise.<ref name=curtispride>Curtis, ''Pride of the fleet''</ref> The submarine had to pull out of the early part of the exercise: a [[resistor]] in the motor room switchboard had begun to smoke, forcing ''Onslow'' to return to Pearl Harbor for repairs.<ref name=StottJaimeson>Stott & Jaumeson, ''Navy sinks Indonesian fishing vessel'', p. 6</ref> She departed on 12 July, but was forced to return less than 24 hours later when a smouldering smell was noticed.<ref name=StottJaimeson/> During the latter part of RIMPAC 98, on the morning of 10 August, ''Onslow'' located the "enemy" {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|0}} {{USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70|6}}, closed to within {{convert|300|m|ft}} without being detected, then released green flares to indicate her location, "sinking" the supercarrier.<ref name=curtispride/><ref name=navnews-vinson-sunk>{{cite news |last1=Davis|first1=Graham |title=Submarine will stay in-service |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Navy_News-October-19-1998.pdf |work=[[Navy News (Australia)|Navy News]] |access-date=15 February 2015 |page=3 |type=PDF |date=19 October 1998 |volume=41 |number=20 |quote=... Onlsow had acquitted herself well during [[RIMPAC 98]]. The submarine had&nbsp;... "taken out"... US carrier CARL VINSEN[sic]&nbsp;... }}</ref> From 7 November onwards, ''Onslow'' was used as the target submarine for the annual [[Fincastle competition]].<ref name=fincastle>Blenkin, ''RAAF use old technology to hunt old sub in annual comp''</ref> ''Onslow'' operated on a secret patrol course {{convert|130|nmi}} south of [[Kangaroo Island]] while aircraft from the competing Australian, British, Canadian, and New Zealand air forces attempted to locate and "sink" her.<ref name=fincastle/> [[No. 5 Squadron RNZAF]] was declared the winner, although all teams were successful in locating the submarine during at least one of their three attempts.<ref>Australian Associated Press, ''Kiwis win Fincastle anti-submarine trophy again''</ref>

==Decommissioning and preservation==
[[File:Australian national maritime museum ships cr.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A destroyer and a submarine tied up alongside a wharf. The destroyer is next to the wharf, with the submarine docked alongside the destroyer. A sailing ship is moored on the other side of the wharf. Several small boats are underway around and behind these three vessels.|''Onslow'' at the [[Australian National Maritime Museum]], alongside the destroyer {{HMAS|Vampire|D11|6}} and the [[HM Bark Endeavour Replica|HM Bark ''Endeavour'' replica]]]]
[[File:HMAS Onslow 03.JPG|thumb|Bunks onboard HMAS Onslow]] ''Onslow'' was decommissioned from service on 30 March 1999.<ref name=DTbehind>''Subs leave harbour behind'', The Daily Telegraph, p. 4</ref> While in service, ''Onslow'' travelled {{convert|358068|nmi}}.<ref name=NNnewHome>Casey, ''Onslow finds new home''</ref> On the same day, sister boat ''Otama'' was permanently reassigned to the submarine base at {{HMAS|Stirling||6}} in Western Australia, clearing the way for the closure of {{HMAS|Platypus|naval base|6}}.<ref name=DTbehind/>

The submarine was gifted to the [[Australian National Maritime Museum]] in April 1999.<ref>{{Citation |last=Collings |first=Jon |editor=Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit  |date=19 June 2002 |title=Review of the Accrual Budget Documentation |type=Report |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=jcpaa/accrualbudget/contents.htm#contents |publisher=Government of Australia |chapter=Submission 18: Department of Defence |chapter-url=http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=jcpaa/accrualbudget/submissions/sub18.pdf |access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref> On 3 May 1999, the submarine was towed from ''Platypus'' to the museum at [[Darling Harbour]].<ref name=NNnewHome/> ''Onslow'' was docked next to {{HMAS|Vampire|D11|6}}, another warship belonging to the museum, and was officially opened to the public on 1 June 1999.<ref name=NNnewHome/> ''Onslow'' is the second RAN submarine to be preserved as a [[museum ship]]; the first was sister submarine {{HMAS|Ovens||6}}, which was decommissioned at the end of 1998 and installed at the [[Western Australian Maritime Museum]].<ref>Australian Associated Press, ''Submarine to rest at museum after distinguished service''</ref> {{As of|2004}}, she is one of seven ''Oberon''-class submarines preserved in this manner.<ref>Weaver, ''The conservation of heritage submarines'', pp. 58–9</ref>

On 22 November 2002, ''Onslow'' was taken by tugs to Garden Island for three weeks of maintenance in drydock.<ref name=brough30>Brough, Onslow'' in dry dock 2002'', p. 30</ref> This included cleaning and repainting of the hull,<ref>Davis, ''Sub surfaces in Sydney''</ref> replacement of the [[tributyltin]] coating used to prevent [[biofouling]] with a coating that was not harmful to marine organisms,<ref name=brough30/> and the sealing of several ballast tanks to improve the boat's stability and raise the aft section relative to the waterline.<ref name=Brough31>Brough, Onslow'' in dry dock 2002'', p. 31</ref> ''Onslow'' was returned to the museum on 11 December, and re-opened to the public three days later.<ref name=Brough31/> In October and November 2008, ''Onslow'' returned to Garden Island for maintenance and upkeep. During this refit, an additional torpedo was loaded into the submarine's torpedo tubes and her hull was cleaned and painted.<ref name="Brooke10">Brooke, ''Oberon sub surfaces at Fleet Base East'', p. 10</ref> Another docking occurred on 18 May 2012, with hull cleaning, rust removal, repainting, and repairs to the boat's aft torpedo tubes done before she returned to display on 6 June.<ref name=Vanoac>Vanoac, ''Cold War sub gets polished''</ref> In November 2015, the submarine was moved to the new Warships Pavilion 'Action Stations' at the [[Australian National Maritime Museum]] alongside [[HMAS Vampire (D11)]] and [[HMAS Advance]]. In February 2018 Onslow was towed from the museum to Garden Island, Sydney, for regular maintenance in dry dock.
{{clear}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="200">
File:HMAS ONSLOW.JPEG|HMAS ''Onslow'' returning to Hawaii from [[RIMPAC 98]].
File:HMAS Onslow fin and masts.jpg|HMAS ''Onslow''{{'}}s fin and masts.
File:HMAS Vampire (15570024127).jpg|HMAS ''Onslow''{{'}}s nameplate.
File:HMAS Onslow 2017.jpg|HMAS ''Onslow'' on display at the [[Australian National Maritime Museum]] in 2017
File:HMAS Onslow-.jpg|HMAS ''Onslow'' at night
File:Ship's galley at HMAS Onslow.jpg|HMAS ''Onslow''{{'}}s galley
</gallery>

==Citations==
{{reflist}}

==References==
;Books
*{{cite book |last=Gillett |first=Ross |others=MacDougall, Anthony; Graham, Colin (illustrations) |title=Warships of Australia |year=1977 |publisher=Rigby |location=Adelaide, SA |isbn=0-7270-0472-7 |oclc=4466019}}
*{{cite book |last=Jeremy |first=John |title=Cockatoo Island: Sydney's historic dockyard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ulc79wlY54C |access-date=7 December 2008 |year=1998 |publisher=UNSW Press |location=Sydney, NSW |isbn=0-86840-817-4 |oclc=60607127}}
*{{cite book |last=Lind |first=Lew |title=The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year |orig-year=1982 |edition=2nd |year=1986 |publisher=Reed Books |location=Frenchs Forest, NSW |isbn=0-7301-0071-5 |oclc=16922225}}
*{{cite book |editor=Sharpe, Richard |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1996–97 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Surrey |date=March 1996 |edition=99th |isbn=0-7106-1355-5 |oclc=34998928 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi0099unse }}
*{{cite book |last=Shaw |first=Lindsey |year=2005 |title=HMAS Onslow: cold war warrior |publisher=Australian National Maritime Museum |location=Sydney, NSW |isbn=0-9751428-4-4 |oclc=225390609}}
*{{cite book |last=White |first=Michael |title=Australian submarines: a history |year=1992 |publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service |location=Canberra |isbn=0-644-24397-X |oclc=464378737}}

;Journal articles
*{{cite journal |last=Brough |first=Neil |date=March 2003 |title=''Onslow'' in dry dock 2002 |journal=Signals |publisher=Australian National Maritime Museum |issue=62 |issn=1033-4688 |oclc=26039864 |url=http://www.anmm.gov.au/webdata/resources/research/Signals_62_OnslowInDrydock.pdf |type=PDF |access-date=10 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706121334/http://www.anmm.gov.au/webdata/resources/research/Signals_62_OnslowInDrydock.pdf |archive-date=6 July 2011 }}
*{{cite journal |date=1 September 1997 |title=Narama Sonar secures first sales |journal=Jane's Navy International |volume=102 |issue=7 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |issn=1358-3719 |oclc=32219867}}
*{{cite journal |last=Richards |first=Bill |author2=Smith, Peter |date=December 2006 |title=Onslow's Jolly Roger |journal=Signals |publisher=Australian National Maritime Museum |issue=77 |pages=10–12 |issn=1033-4688}}
*{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Weaver |title=Navy crosses the line with anal antics |url=http://www.aamh.asn.au/news/0076.pdf |type=PDF |work=Quarterly Newsletter |publisher=The Australian Association for Maritime History |issn=1440-5164 |date=30 August 1999 |access-date=20 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050710062918/http://www.aamh.asn.au/news/0076.pdf |archive-date=10 July 2005 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Weaver |first=Martin |year=2004 |title=The conservation of heritage submarines|journal=APT Bulletin |publisher=Association for Preservation Technology International |volume=35 |issue=2/3 |pages=51–59 |type=[[JSTOR]] article, subscription required |doi=10.2307/4126405 |jstor=4126405}}

;Newspaper articles
*{{cite news |author=Australian Associated Press |title=Sailors won't be disciplined over videotaped ceremony |publisher=Australian Associated Press |date=18 November 1999}}
*{{cite news |author=Australian Associated Press |title=Kiwis win Fincastle anti-submarine trophy again |publisher=Australian Associated Press |date=14 November 1998}}
*{{cite news |author=Australian Associated Press |title=Submarine to rest at museum after distinguished service |publisher=Australian Associated Press |date=17 November 1998}}
*{{cite news |title=Australian submarine to visit San Francisco |work=PR Newswire |date=8 August 1985}}
*{{cite news |first=Mairi |last=Barton |title=Onslow snubbed on sub visit |work=The West Australian |date=8 June 1998}}
*{{cite news |first=Max |last=Blenkin |title=RAAF use old technology to hunt old sub in annual comp |publisher=Australian Associated Press |date=4 November 1998}}
*{{cite news|url=http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/default.aspx?xml=defencenews_navy.xml&iid=10486|title=Oberon sub surfaces at Fleet Base East|last=Brooke|first=Michael|date=30 October 2008|work=Navy News|access-date=12 April 2009}}
*{{cite news |first=Annie |last=Casey |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS/editions/1999/05_03_99/story08.htm |title=Onslow finds new home |date=3 May 1999 |access-date=20 September 2008 |work=Navy News}}
*{{cite news |first=Anthony |last=Curtis |title=Pride of the fleet |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 July 2001}}
*{{cite news |first=David |last=Cusworth |title=Farewell flight for fighters |work=The West Australian |date=29 November 1997}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/4525/topstories/story21.htm |title=Sub surfaces in Sydney |first=Graham |last=Davis |date=19 December 2002 |access-date=20 September 2008 |work=Navy News}}
*{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Grigson |title=Nothing doing down under for our subs |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=4 June 1990}}
*{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Grigson |title=$100M submarine refits to stay in Sydney |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=3 July 1990}}
*{{cite news |first=Kathleen |last=Hickie |title=Gassed submariner awarded $420,000 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=21 April 1993}}
*{{cite news |first=Jerry |last=Pratley |title=Farewell to a quiet achiever |publisher=The West Australian |date=16 December 2000}}
*{{cite news |first=Trevor |last=Seymour |title=SAS men hurt in submarine exercise |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=17 April 1997}}
*{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/sailors-washed-off-submarine-as-rescue-kept-quiet/story-e6frg6nf-1225776884379 |title=Sailors washed off submarine as rescue kept quiet |last=Stewart |first=Cameron |date=19 September 2009 |work=The Australian |pages=1–2 |access-date=19 September 2009}}
*{{cite news |first=Diane |last=Stott |author2=Jaimeson, Tim |title=Navy sinks Indonesian fishing vessel |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |page=6 |date=23 June 1998}}
*{{cite news |title=Subs leave harbour behind |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |page=4 |date=30 March 1999}}
*{{cite news |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8469535/cold-war-sub-gets-polished |title=Cold War sub gets polished |last=Vanoac |first=Neda |date=18 May 2012 |work=Ninemsn News |publisher=Ninemsn.com |access-date=20 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523115929/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8469535/cold-war-sub-gets-polished |archive-date=23 May 2012 }}

;Other media
*{{cite episode |title=''Seconds from Disaster'' |series=Sunday Night |series-link=Sunday Night (Australian TV program) |credits=[[Ross Coulthart]] (reporter), [[Mike Munro]] (presenter/interviewer), [[Chris Bath]] (presenter) |network=[[Seven Network]] |airdate=29 March 2009 }}

==External links==
{{commons category|HMAS Onslow}}
*[https://www.sea.museum/discover/blog?query=ONSLOW Australian National Maritime Museum – Submarine] – Postings from the Australian National Maritime Museum's weblog relating to ''Onslow''
*[http://www.anmm.gov.au/actionstations anmm.gov.au] ANMM Action Stations Warships Pavilion
*[http://www.actionstations.sydney/ Action Stations microsite] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604022633/http://www.actionstations.sydney/ |date=4 June 2017 }} Action Stations, November 2015
{{Oberon class submarine}}
{{Australian submarines}}

{{coord|33|52.155|S|151|11.997|E|type:landmark|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Onslow, HMAS}}
[[Category:Oberon-class submarines of the Royal Australian Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Clyde]]
[[Category:1968 ships]]
[[Category:Museum ships in Australia]]
[[Category:Australian National Maritime Museum]]
[[Category:Ships built by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]]