HMAS Brisbane : Flag Locker

Accession Number	REL33210
Collection type	Technology
Object type	Maritime vessel or watercraft
Maker	Unknown
Date made	Unknown
Conflict	Gulf War, 1990-1991 Vietnam, 1962-1975

Description

The flag locker consists of a rectangular alloy casing, made of riveted sheets attached to a welded alloy L channel frame. The top edge of the case is angled with the height of the unit rising toward the back. The top is open. Running across the open section is a single alloy tube at the front, in the middle is an alloy tube and rectangular plate. Secured to the plate is a stainless steel plaque, engraved on the plaque are coloured representations of the flags and numbered positions running from 1-0. In front of each engraved marking is a flag stowage bracket in stainless steel. There are 37 brackets. On the front of the locker is a hand rail secured by four mounts, below this are two rectangular louvered air vents. At the back of the locker is a further rail, four Z shaped brackets and below that three rectangular louvered vents. A fabric cover for the locker is secured to the top rear edge. The base of the locker is perforated with holes. The entire unit is painted gray.

History / Summary

This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The locker was located on the Flag Deck on Level 03 aft of the Bridge. The locker contains a set of signalling flags, and is part of the ship's communication system. 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.