The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
An emergency escape trunk extends from the upper to the lower decks of the ship and passes through the GPR. Fittings within the room include top hatch, lower hatch and communicating ladder. The lower hatch consists of a welded alloy frame with a ring flange to allow the assembly to be bolted to the compartment floor. The assembly also includes hinge points for the hatch and inner ring for the hatch seal and latching system. The hatch is circular, flat on top, with two hinge points. On the under surface is a central operating wheel driving three latch pins. The hatch is green and has a brass circular handle positioned in the middle.
This component was removed from HMAS Brisbane after the ship was de-commissioned in 2001. The Lower Escape Hatch is mounted on the floor in the corner of the Gun Plot Room (GPR). An emergency escape trunk extends from the upper to the lower decks of the ship and passes through the GPR. Fittings within the room include top hatch, lower hatch and communicating ladder. 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.
The top hatch is not held but an equivalent example was obtained from the Flag Deck. It is similar in construction but the hatch hinge fittings are attached to the deck beside the hatch mounting ring.
The bracket is attached to the wall of the GPR, adjacent to the hull of the ship (opposite door). It consists of two rectangular steel plates welded at the rear to a Z shaped U section channel frame.
The stool consists of a square padded top cushion with a brown vinyl cover and a lower section made of square steel tube and consisting of four legs and four cross-bracing members. There is a metal cl
The cover is a rectangular alloy sheet with two folded edges located on one long side and one short side. On the opposite long side the edge is pierced by three holes, a length of rope with taped ends
The cover is rectangular, made from a folded sheet of alloy, painted grey. It consists of a top and two sides. Each side has four holes for bolting them to the correct piece of equipment. On the top o
Rectangular alloy plate with a cut-out section on one corner. The panel has two irregular holes cut together with two drilled holes. This is believed to be a sample of floor panelling from the GPR. Th
