HMAS Rankin (SSG 78)

HMAS "Rankin" (SSG 78), is a "Collins"-class submarine laid down by the Australian Submarine Corporation at Osborne in South Australia on 12 May 1995, launched on 7 November 2001 and commissioned on 29 March 2003. HMAS "Rankin" is based at Fleet Base West in Western Australia.

Name

The submarine is named after Lieutenant-Commander Robert William “Oscar” Rankin who distinguished himself in action in World War II. He commanded the sloop HMAS "Yarra" 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 to the very last in an intense exchange. He was killed when an eight inch salvo hit the bridge shortly after he had passed the order to abandon ship.

The submarine's motto "Defend the Weak" is testimony to Robert Rankin and "Yarra's" determination to defend the unarmed convoy ships.

Operational History

"Submariners" documentary

HMAS "Rankin" featured in the 6 part documentary 'Submariners' filmed in 2004 and subsequently screened on the Australian television channel SBS, and later released in DVD format.

The documentary follows the 6 month deployment of HMAS "Rankin", starting with a Unit Readyness Evaluation (URE) off Fleet Base West. This evaluation was to satisfy the RAN that HMAS Rankin was competent in operating procedures and allowing it to be deployed would not endanger any crew or the submarine itself.

Shortly after the URE, "Rankin" headed North East towards South Korea where it took part in Deep Sea Rescue exercises with the South Korean Navy, Japanese Navy and the United States Navy, before leaving to Japan for a short shore leave.

After Japan, "Rankin" headed East towards Hawaii where it took part in Exercise Silent Fury, which consisted of 2 × USN Destroyers, 2 × USN Frigates, 1 × USN "Los Angeles"-class submarine and 1 × USN ASW helicopter. "Rankin"'s mission was to elude detection by the USN forces and pass through a choke point between two islands to become within range of USN destroyer USS "O'Kane". "Rankin" was successful in its mission.

Immediately after Exercise Silent Fury, "Rankin" proceeded to Pearl Harbour, and the crew went on shore leave before returning to the submarine to take part in RIMPAC.

External links

* [http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/HMAS_Rankin Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Rankin site]
* [http://www20.sbs.com.au/insideaustralia/index.php?pg=doc&id=10 Submariners Documentary site]

Photos