HMAS Brisbane : Gun Plot Room : Stable Element Mk 16 Mod 11

Accession Number	REL32980.001
Collection type	Technology
Object type	Maritime vessel or watercraft
Maker	Sperry Gyroscope Co
Place made	United States of America: Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, United States of America: New York
Date made	Unknown
Conflict	Gulf War, 1990-1991 Vietnam, 1962-1975

Description

The SE is a floor-mounted component. The Stable Element (SE) is a rectangular metal unit with an angled top and a large access door at the front. On the angled top panel is a variety of controls and indicators. The left section of the control panel has a function/Master switch, status indicating lamps, and indicating fuses. The right section has the remaining operator controls and indicators. These include two small switches ' a `dimmer' and `display select' and five indicator lights. Also included is an LED display with keyboard for communicating with an internal digital microprocessor. Access to interior assemblies is through a door on the front of the main body of the console, which also supports several assemblies. The door has two silver handles and can be opened by lifting and turning the handles. A sticker with the words Danger ' High Voltage Multiple Sources is on the front of the console. A nomenclature plate reads `Stable Element Mk 16 Mod 11, Part No. 53711-5482429-5, Serial No. 275, Manufactured for Naval Ordinance Station Louisville by contractor Sperry Division, Sperry Corporation, Gyroscope, Great Neck, New York.' Some of the paint has chipped off the console although generally the console is in good condition. The SE is positioned in the back right hand corner of the gun plot room. At the base of the SE is a heavy alloy frame which is used to attach the unit to the floor via four bolts. The Stable Element (SE) Mk 16 Mod 11 generates stabilisation data to compensate for ship roll and pitch. The SE data is fed to the Amplifier Mk 76 Mod 8 (Amplifier Mk 76). To stabilise the director optics and the scanner, and to the GFCS for use in the calculation of gun orders. The SE develops stabilisation data by sensing ship motion. The output signals are used by the Gun Weapon System (GWS) to compensate the director for the ship motion, and to develop stablised gun orders.

History / Summary

This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The Stable Element is positioned in the back right hand corner of the gun plot room. It is part of the Mk 68 Mod 4 Gun Fire Control System used to control the ship’s two 5 in. 54 calibre guns. HMAS Brisbane [II] was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in December 1967 and was the second vessel of that name to serve in the RAN. Known officially as DDG-41, Brisbane was the third of the RAN's American-built "Charles F. Adams" class guided-missiles destroyers. This class were the first major Australian warships designed and built in America, and were constructed by the Defoe Shipbuilding Co. The original complement of the Brisbane was 20 officers and over 300 sailors. Main armament was two 5-inch/54 calibre guns and anti-submarine torpedoes. The Ikara missile system was subsequently added. In later service the ship was known by the nick-name ‘the Steel Cat’. The HMAS Brisbane saw operational service in two conflicts. During the Vietnam War the ship undertook two tours of duty with the United States Seventh Fleet, in 1969 and again in 1971. The ship’s major task was to provide gunfire support for the land campaign. During the Gulf War (1990-91), Brisbane was one of four Australian warships to serve a tour in Gulf waters. The Brisbane arrived in the Gulf in December 1990 and operated there until March 1991, performing a number of roles. Apart from contributing to the anti-aircraft defences in the carrier screen, the ship also kept watch for mines and ensured that small civilian craft kept well away from the carrier group. Later, during Operation Desert Storm, the Brisbane controlled fighter combat air patrols and tanker aircraft. The ship’s final role was as an escort for US replenishment ships. In 2003 HMAS Brisbane was retired from service in the Royal Australian Navy. The Brisbane was the last steam powered ship in the RAN. HMAS Brisbane was sunk as a recreational dive wreck off the coast of southern Queensland in July 2005.