HMAS Brisbane : Combat Data Centre : Amplifier

The amplifier consists of a rectangular metal case, painted grey. The front panel is an alloy sheet and is hinged along the front lower edge and is secured with two screws, one in each upper corner. On the front panel is a variety of dials, flick-switches and indicator lights. These include (from left to right) a red circular indicator switch, a power on/off flick switch, a black carry handle, two tear-shaped knobs and a white indicator fuse, and two more fuses. A nomenclature panel in the lower left hand corner reads: Amplifier Type AM-3729/SR, Fed Stock No: 2F5820-999-2591, Serial No: A3041, Radio Engineering Products, Montreal, Canada. The lower front right hand corner of the unit has been painted bright pink. Three black cables with silver plates are protruding from the base of the unit.

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