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Image Not Available for RAN Oberon class submarine
RAN Oberon class submarine
Image Not Available for RAN Oberon class submarine

RAN Oberon class submarine

Date2005
Object number00040523
NameShip in a bottle
MediumGlass, cork, string, wood, felt, paint, plastic
Dimensions100 x 270 x 85 mm
ClassificationsToys, games and souvenirs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis model depicts a Royal Australian Navy Oberon class submarine moving at speed on the ocean. The submarines played a vital role protecting Australia as they were able to be silent, invisible and collect information. The diesel-electric submarines were multi-purpose and undertook many activities including secret patrols, photographic reconnaissance, surveillance, shadowing and intelligence gathering.HistoryThe Oberon class attack submarines played a vital role protecting Australia for more than 30 years, until they were phased out during the 1990s and completely replaced by the 'Collins class boats in 2000. Initially built to replace the Royal Navy's Fourth Submarine Division, which had provided submarine services and training for the Royal Australian Navy and RNZN after World War II, the Oberons were also ordered in response to concerns about the expansion of the Soviet Pacific fleet; they were commissioned at the height of the Cold war. Their versatility lay in their ability to operate with extreme stealth - to watch, listen and collect information without being detected. These conventionally powered diesel-electric submarines carried out many activities including secret patrols, photographic reconnaissance, surveillance, shadowing and intelligence gathering. This small model depicts the Oberon class in its final configuration - after the change of the sonar dome. THE Royal Australian Navy's six Oberons are spread out around the country, in various locations: HMAS OVENS is located at the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle, HMAS ONSLOW is located at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, Sydney. Both are successful museum ships. HMAS OTWAY's sail, outer hull and stern section are preserved on land at Holbrook, NSW. HMAS OTAMA is located in Westernport Bay, Victoria, where she has been since 2000 and still (2010) awaits conversion to a museum ship. HMAS OXLEY's fin stands as a permanent memorial at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. HMAS ORION was scrapped by Tenix at Henderson, Western Australia in December 2006. The sail was given to the City of Rockingham and is now mounted as a permanent memorial at the Naval Memorial Park.The port propellor was donated to the Western Australia Maritime Museum.SignificanceShip models in bottles are a popular form of model making and were often built by sailors as keepsakes of a vessel, voyage or event. This example is a representation of the important Oberon class submarine.