HMCS Onondaga facts for kids
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A Canadian Oberon-class submarine alongside in Roosey Roads for Operation Springboard, January 1969
HMCS Onondaga (S73) is a special type of submarine called an Oberon-class submarine. It served in the Royal Canadian Navy and later the Canadian Forces. This submarine was built in the mid-1960s. Onondaga mainly worked with the Maritime Forces Atlantic until it stopped active service in 2000. It was the last Canadian Oberon submarine to be used.
After its service, there were many ideas for what to do with the submarine. Finally, the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père in Rimouski bought it. They wanted to turn it into a museum vessel. The submarine was moved to its new home in 2008. Now, it is open to the public for visits.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Canada |
|
| Name | Onondoga |
| Namesake | Onondaga First Nations people |
| Builder | Chatham Dockyard, England |
| Cost | CAN$16,000,000 |
| Laid down | 18 June 1964 |
| Launched | 25 September 1965 |
| Commissioned | 22 June 1967 |
| Decommissioned | 28 July 2000 |
| Motto |
|
| Status | Preserved as museum vessel since 2008 |
| Badge | Blazon Azure, within a representation of the wampum of the Iroquois nation, another of the head of the mace used at the sitting of the first Parliament of Upper Canada in 1792, both proper. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Oberon-class submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 295.25 ft (89.99 m) |
| Beam | 26.5 ft (8.1 m) |
| Draught | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Propulsion | 2 diesel electric engines |
| Speed |
|
| Range | 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) |
| Endurance | 56 days |
| Test depth | 120–180 metres (390–590 ft) |
| Complement | 69 |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
MEL Manta UAL or UA4 radar warning |
| Armament | 8 × 21 in (533 mm) tubes (6 bow, 2 stern), 18 torpedoes |
Submarine Design and Features
The Oberon class submarines were an improved version of older submarines. They had a stronger hull and were made from better steel. This allowed the Oberon submarines to dive much deeper, about 1,000 feet (300 m) underwater.
These submarines were quite large. When on the surface, they weighed about 2,030 tonnes (2,000 long tons). When fully underwater, they weighed 2,410 tonnes (2,370 long tons). They were about 295 ft 1⁄4 in (89.922 m) long. Their width, called the beam, was 26 ft 1⁄2 in (7.938 m). The part of the submarine that was underwater, called the draught, was 18 ft (5.5 m).
The submarines used a special engine system. They had two diesel engines and two electric motors. This allowed them to travel at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) on the surface. When submerged, they could go faster, up to 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph). They could travel about 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) without needing to refuel.
For defense, the submarines had eight torpedo tubes. Six were at the front (bow) and two were at the back (stern). They could carry 30 torpedoes in total. Canadian submarines were special because they used US Mark 37C torpedoes. They also had advanced sonar systems to detect other ships and submarines.
Submarine Upgrades (SOUP)
By the late 1970s, the Oberon submarines used by Canada were getting old. They needed to be updated. So, a plan called the Submarine Operational Update Program (SOUP) was approved in 1979. This program aimed to make the submarines ready for frontline service, not just training.
The SOUP upgrades included new sonars, periscopes, and communication systems. They also got new fire-control systems to help aim torpedoes. The submarines were updated to fire the more modern Mark 48 torpedo. This allowed them to work with NATO to track Soviet submarines in the North Atlantic. These upgrades cost about C$45 million and were finished by 1986. The SOUP program helped the Canadian Oberon submarines stay in service until the late 1990s.
How Canada Got the Submarines
In 1962, the Canadian government decided to buy three Oberon submarines from the United Kingdom. The deal was that the UK would also buy defense items from Canada to help with the cost. The purchase was announced in the Canadian Parliament.
However, the plan faced some delays. The final price for all three submarines was agreed upon in 1963, costing C$40 million. The Canadian submarines were modified from the original Oberon design. They had a larger air conditioning unit, different weapons, and new sonar equipment. The second and third submarines built for Canada had their kitchen moved forward. This change, however, meant less space for the crew to sleep. These submarines were mainly used to help train other ships in how to find and fight submarines.
Life and Service of Onondaga
Onondaga was built in England at Chatham Dockyard. Its construction started on June 18, 1964. It was officially launched into the water on September 25, 1965. The submarine began its service on June 22, 1967. It was named after the Onondaga First Nations people. The submarine cost C$16,000,000.
Onondaga was part of the First Canadian Submarine Squadron. It spent almost its entire career in the North Atlantic. It often trained with the Royal Navy. Starting in the 1970s, Canadian submarines like Onondaga began secret patrols. They tracked Soviet submarines and ships, especially those carrying missiles. They often worked with Canadian patrol aircraft during these missions.
In 1982, Onondaga went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for its major SOUP refit. This upgrade started in June 1983 and finished in April 1984. After the SOUP refit and getting the new Mark 48 torpedoes, the Oberon submarines were considered fully ready for combat.
After the Cold War ended, Onondaga took on new tasks. From 1991 to 1994, it helped government groups like the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. It even spent six months on the west coast in 1994. The submarines were used longer than planned because new submarines were delayed. During a dispute called the Turbot War, Onondaga helped watch European fishing fleets. Its presence helped calm the situation.
Onondaga officially stopped its service on July 28, 2000. It was the last Oberon-class submarine still working for Canada. After this, Onondaga and its sister submarines waited in Halifax harbour to be disposed of.
Becoming a Museum Submarine
In 2001, there was a plan to cut Onondaga into pieces and put it back together inside the Canadian War Museum. But this idea was too expensive and was cancelled. In 2005, it was announced that Onondaga might be sold for scrap metal. Officials thought it was not in good enough shape to be a museum.
However, the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père in Rimouski bought the submarine in 2006 for a very low price. The submarine was then towed from Halifax to Rimouski in the summer of 2008. Moving the submarine was a huge challenge. It had to be floated onto a special marine railway and then pulled up onto the shore.
Getting the submarine onto the railway needed a very high tide. This only happened for a short time on August 2. Before the tow, water had to be pumped into the submarine's tanks to make it stable. The journey itself had delays due to bad weather and even a snapped tow rope. The submarine also had to change its route to avoid a hurricane.
When Onondaga arrived in Rimouski, a storm prevented the first attempt to pull it ashore. A second attempt was made in September. This time, the submarine was partly pulled out, but it wasn't lined up correctly. As the water went down, the submarine rolled off the railway and was damaged. After repairs and more tries, Onondaga was finally pulled clear of the water on November 28. This amazing move was even shown on a TV show called Monster Moves.
After being repaired and made ready, Onondaga opened as a museum on May 29, 2009. It was a big success, with over 100,000 visitors in its first year.
