HMAS Brisbane : Gun Plot Room : Headset unit type H200/U with cables attached

The headset unit consists of two sections ' a metal framed adjustable headset with a pair of padded earphones and a chest set consisting of a microphone base unit. The headset is a metal chrome-plated frame with black padding secured by blue gaffa tape, with moveable ear-pieces and adjustable head-size options. The ear-pieces have the company name Stromberg-Carlson pressed into them. The headset has two (2) cables, one running from each ear-piece, to the base of the microphone unit, which is contained within a piece of black, circular rubber. The unit is type H200/U (no serial number). On the back of the unit is printed 70214 836, next line 1H1265-00-675-9656, next line is N00104-82-W-KD64, last line PO 504. A long black cable is protruding from the bottom of the unit, which has a black and brass plug attached to the end. The plug has STAR engraved on it and the number S74211.

This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The headset was fitted in the Gun Plot Room, and is part of the internal communication system for the ship. 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.