CRUISER MODERNISED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23897, 26 August 1939, Page 15

CRUISER MODERNISED

H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA REFITTED NEW ARMOUR AND GUNS (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, Aug. 18. The modernisation of H.M.A.S. Australia at a cost of £650,000 will be completed this month, and her steam and gunnery trials will take place off the New South Wales coast in September. A belt of armour has been added to the sides of the cruiser, enabling her to withstand heavier gunfire, and to the deck to give protection to vital machinery. About 140 miles of new electrical wires have been installed, of which 44 miles are multicord. The firing power of the cruiser has been greatly increased by almost rebuilding the bridge to accommodate the latest fire control arrangements for the eight 8-inch guns and other armament. To permit of the installation of four twin 4-inch highangle anti-aircraft guns to meet high-flying attack, the top gun deck has been removed. pom-poms have been installed to aid the machine-guns in fighting lowflying aircraft, and the aircraft catapult has been strengthened to launch heavier aircraft and boats. Special tanks have been installed to carry petrol for planes and boats. The machinery has been overhauled. Similar modernisation will be begun on the sister ship H.M.A.S. Canberra about the end of the year. Work on the Australia gave employment to. an average of 70.0 men for 16 months. By working shifts and overtime the work was accelerated by at least four month*.