HMAS Brisbane : Combat Data Centre : Remote Chain Selector Unit

The Remote Chain Selector Unit is a rectangular metal case, with two L shaped metal brackets attached to the rear left and right edges. Each bracket has two bolt holes. On the top of the unit is a rectangular access panel secured by 20 screws and on the lower surface are two female sockets (plugs fitted). The front panel has numerous switches, fuses (capped) and indicator lights. At the top left of the front panel is a green indicator light with DATA SEND written underneath it. Below this is a black selector knob, which can be rotated to select to positions 1-20. At the top right hand corner are two white gridded plaques, containing four columns of numbers, running from 1-20. In the centre is a nomenclature plaque which reads: C-01/WSC-3(V) RAN Remote Chain Sel Unit PN 01-01262-001, Serial No E00004. Immediately below and beside this are three indicator lamps, two amber and one white. Along the bottom edge are four fuse holders with leashed (attached) covers. In the bottom right hand corner is a switch. Two metal attachments, which have cables running through them, are attached to the LHS of the base.

This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The selector unit 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.