SHIPPING enthusiasts have launched an ambitious scheme to buy a former Royal Navy submarine and berth her on the Clyde as an exhibit.
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They are seeking to buy HMS Onyx, the last Oberon-class sub, and bring her back to Greenock, where the undersea craft was assembled.
But since 2006 the sub has been languishing at Buccleuch Dock in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, after being part of a plan to build a Submarine Heritage Centre which never materialised.
Eleven Oberon-class submarines were built at Scott’s Drydock in Greenock, six for Royal Australian Navy, three for Royal Navy and two which were purchased by Chile.
The group members, which include former submariners, have been to inspect HMS Onyx and say she is in good enough condition to be put on display. A feasibility study is currently under way to establish if the plan could go ahead, while a number of local businessmen are backing the scheme.
HMS Onyx saw action during the Falkland Islands conflict and helped smuggle members of the Special Boat Service into the warzone.
The group’s spokesman, Bill Mutter, said: “Greenock has a proud heritage of shipbuilding but at the moment all it has to show for it is the (Paddle Steamer) ‘Comet’ and it is positioned in Port Glasgow.
“Onyx is display ready, as for many years she was located in Liverpool and it was only due to harbour regeneration around 2007 that the then museum had to be broken up.
“We narrowly missed out on acquiring her then, and she went to a Barrow business man, supposedly as a gift to the people of Barrow, but when his planning application for a hotel he proposed building was refused he promptly sold Onyx to a scrap dealer with whom she presently languishes.”
He added he felt the old Scott’s Dry Dock would be the ideal location for Onyx as it was in this dock that the Oberons built by Scott’s were fitted out. He said the dock itself is also historic.
Source – Herald Scotland
Submarine Diary 
What about sending her back to Dolphin as a floating display
How and where do we donate to keep her?
Can a HM Government e-petitions be started?
Can the BBC pick up this story, even better BBC International?
Could Simon Western provide support, considering her sad links with the Sir Galahad?
Have The National Lottery Fund been approached and or British Heritage?
How much is needed to save and keep her as business enterprise may well be interested if she is self supportive as a Museum?
Many thanks and fingers crossed
I ws on the build of the Renown in Liverpool, and the Onyx was also being built there at the same time. Roy Cros ex LRO(G)
If she stays in Glasgow, I would happily volunteer for a work party to get her back in shape.
Dave Herd Ex-Oberon