Construction and Trials
Farncomb was laid down by Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) on 3 March 1991. She was named for Rear Admiral Harold Farncomb; the first Australian-trained officer promoted to Captain, and commanding officer of the flagship HMAS Australia from 1941 to 1944. Work on the boat was delayed by the need to complete sister boat and class lead Collins to a launchable condition by her set launch date of 28 August 1993. To free up resources at ASC for Collins, Farncomb's bow section was sent to Newcastle for completion.
Farncomb was launched on 15 December 1995: as she was the first submarine to be completely constructed in Australia (two sections of Collins had been assembled in Sweden), the submarine wore a large Made In Australia logo on the fin. The submarine commenced sea trials in September 1996. Lessons learned from the trials of lead boat Collins benefitted Farncomb, with training materials improved and the trials crew instructed to familiarise themselves with the submarine while she was being completed (the crew of Collins had the option to, but most personnel did not). The trial program was impacted on by problems with Collins.
Farncomb was provisionally accepted into service by the RAN at the end of 1997. She was formally commissioned into the RAN on 31 January 1998.
Read more about this topic: HMAS Farncomb (SSG 74)
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