HMAS Brisbane : Gun Plot Room : 'Felix' the Cat mascot

Stuffed toy of 'Felix the Cat', which became the unofficial mascot of the GPR, after the name of the Brisbane ' the `Steel Cat.' The toy is a sewn acrylic cover packed with stuffing. The cover is assembled from machine sewn panels. Several panels have printed details, including the face, tie and feet. The fabric is slightly faded, especially on the face, but there are no rips or holes. The cat is black with a white face and feet, black nose and ears and a yellow and black chequered bow tie. Details of the toy's fabric and manufacture are provided on a tag attached to the back of the toy.

This toy cat was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The toy was the mascot of the Gun Plot Room, and was usually kept by the work stations. This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. 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.