HMAS Brisbane : Gun Plot Room : watertight door dogging tool

Steel tube, 30.4 cm (one foot) in length and 2.5 cm (one inch) in diameter. Painted red.

This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. This tube or pipe was used as a lever extension to fully 'dog down' or tighten the individual dogs on the barbette watertight door. The barbette was located directly under the Gun Director. There was no way to fully engage the 8 door securing handles without an extension lever being used.

A similar tool was used on board United States ships. On board those ships, 'L' shaped brackets were welded to the bulkheads away a few inches from the door at about shoulder level. The upper bracket faced down and was a little longer than the bottom bracket. You simply would grab the steel tube - lift it up and pivot it out from the bottom. Then just drop it down slightly and it was free and clear to use. (This information was kindly supplied by the former Gunfire Control Tech. FC1(ESW) of the U.S.S. Joseph Hewes FF1078).

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.