HMAS Brisbane : Combat Data Centre : Emergency light unit with cable

The emergency lamp has a rectangular metal case, painted yellow. The front is bakelite (also painted yellow) and is attached with four screws. The lamp is inset and covered by a heavy glass lens. In the top right hand corner of the lamp is engraved `NM', and in the left hand corner, although heavily painted over, are the letters `USN'. At the base of the lamp is an access panel on which is mounted a cable connector and a push switch. One the back of the lamp is engraved `Manufactured by The Rob Ian Company Topsfield Massachusetts.' Connected to the emergency lamp is a second, smaller lamp, this consists of a pressed metal rectangular case with rounded corners, two oval mounting brackets are riveted to the back. At the lower rear edge is a plated metal flick-switch, at the top is a small cable shroud and an access hole for three cables. The lid is hinged on the left side and is secured by a hinged clip and screw on the right. To the front of the lid is secured a welded cylindrical alloy shade. The lid is pierced with a 25mm circular hole, behind this is the lamp bulb. The case, shade and brackets are painted grey, the interior is painted black.

This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The light was fitted in the Combat Data Centre. 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.