HMAS Brisbane : Gun Plot Room : Chair

The chair consists of a heavy tubular base terminating at the base in a square mounting bracket with four holes. Attached to the top of the base are two square metal plates incorporating a swivel mechanism. On top of the plates are two fixed U channels to mount the seat. The seat consists of a base to which are attached two mounting rails. Attached to the base is an adjustable seat-back with separate adjustable head rest and adjustable folding arms. The arms are covered in moulded black vinyl pads. The upholstery for the seat back and headrest is synthetic brown woven material. The seat sits in-front of the Radar Set control Panel. The chair has adjustable height and tilt handles which are located on the right hand side of the chairs and have a red handle. The base of the chair is secured directly to the gun plot room floor. The chair has numerous small burns, possibly from a previous electrical fault.

This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The chair (one of two) is located in front of the console for the Radar Set AN/SPG-53, which is in turn part of the Gun Fire Control System used to direct 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.