HMAS Brisbane : Combat Data Centre : Plotting System Mk NC-2 Mod 1 ' Dead Reckoning Indicator.

The Plotting System is a large square unit housed in metal case painted grey. The front panel is black and contains a variety of dials and indicator lights. On the left hand side of the front panel are four dials ' calibration, calibration speed, null adjust and power, as well as a null adjust indicator gauge. Below these dials are ten white indicator lights, grouped in lots of two. They indicate for power supply, 400 CPS, 60 CPS, compass and log respectively. In the upper right hand corner of the front panel is a silver nomenclature plate, which reads: `Plotting System Mk NC-2 Mod 1, Dead Reckoning Indicator, Serial No: 76, Sperry Piedmont Co, Division of Sperry Rand Corp, Charlottesville, VA.' Next to the nomenclature plate is a small black plate which reads `DRT No.2. Under the nomenclature plate is a latitude counter, with a written warning `Do not run counter beyond 90-deg.' There are also three turn dials ' SLEW 'south/north, a dimmer, longitude counter and another SLEW dial ' east/west. In the lower right hand corner of the front panel is a calibration checkout procedure list, with a black plastic calibration table underneath. There is a section of black foam around the base of the unit. At the base of the unit four power cables are protruding. Three have been severed although one is connected to a osmos/UBWC unit. This unit consists of a grey, metal rectangular case. On the front panel is a grey circular turn-dial with black handle. It can be set to UBW, OFF, OSMOS OFF, and UBWC. There is a white circular indicator light in the lower left hand corner. The unit is attached to a rectangular alloy sheet bracket. Welded to this bracket at right angles is a triangular alloy sheet bracket. The unit has several power cords protruding from the back, all are severed except that which is attached to the plotting system.

This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The Plotting System was fitted in the Combat Data Centre, near the Plot Table (REL32982.040) 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.