HMAS Brisbane : Engine Room : Salinity Indicator

The salinity indicator consists of a rectangular steel case. At the rear, four attachment brackets have been cut. A rectangular access panel was mounted on the bottom (missing). The cover is hinged on the left hand side and is secured by a single brass screw on the right. A nomenclature plate on the front panel reads: Salinity Indicator Panel, FIMA, SDT NAVY STOCK NO: 317-P-12751 1179, Model: G, Serial No: 149, Volts: 115, Cycles: 60, Amps: 3, Navy Department Bureau Ships, Marine Electric Corp, Pilot Marine Division, Contract No:. Also on the cover panel of the unit is (from left to right) a chloride EPM gauge, power supply fuse and power indicator lights, a test button, brass cell location table and a black circular dial with the numbers 10-14.

This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The Indicator was fitted in the ship's Engine Room. 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.