HMAS Dechaineux (SSG 76)

HMAS "Dechaineux" (SSG 76) is a "Collins" class submarine laid down by the Australian Submarine Corporation at Osborne, South Australia on 4 March 1993, launched on 12 March 1998 and commissioned on 23 February 2001.HMAS Dechaineux is based at Fleet Base West in Western Australia.

Name

The vessel is named for Captain Emile Dechaineux, who commanded vessels in the North Atlantic and South West Pacific during World War II, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the U.S. Legion of Merit. Dechaineux died as a result of what is believed to be the first hit scored by a kamikaze. On 21 October 1944, HMAS "Australia", commanded by Dechaineux, was supporting the Allied landing at Leyte in the Philippines. A Japanese aircraft was engaged and hit by RAN AA gunners. The plane flew away from the ships, but then turned and dived into "Australia", hitting the foremast and causing an explosion and fire. Dechaineux died of wounds received in the attack.

Operational History

2003 flooding incident

In 2005, it was revealed that "Dechaineux" had almost sunk in February 2003, following the failure of a seawater hose at its maximum diving depth. [cite news |title=Navy forced to reduce subs' diving depth |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Navy-forced-to-reduce-subs-diving-depth/2005/07/23/1121539174654.html | work = The Age |date=23 July 2005 |accessdate=2006-12-16] The engine room was flooded and a crew member almost drowned. The maximum dive depth was later reduced, but remains classified. Nevertheless there is some evidence to support claims that much-publicised teething problems with the "Collins" class have been resolved. [cite news |author=Brendan Nicholson |title=Collins subs star in naval exercises |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/23/1064082993693.html |work=The Age |date=24 September 2003 |accessdate=2006-12-16]

References

External links

* [http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Dechaineux Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Dechaineux site]
* [http://www.awm.gov.au/people/157.asp Australian War Memorial Captain Emile Dechaineux site]