H.M.A.S. Perth
I.29
1941
(Neptun 1145)
- Class: Leander (2nd group) - 3 cruisers of 1932-33
- Displacement: 6,830 tons
- Dimensions: 522 (pp) 555 (oa) x 56.75 x 16.25 ft
- Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, SHP 72,000 = 32.5 knots
- Armor: Main belt 2-4 in, deck 2 in, turrets 1 in, DCT 1 in
- Armament: 8-6in (4x2), 8-4in AA (4x2), 4-2pdr AA (1x4), 12-.5in AA (3x4) guns; 8-21in TT (2x4)
- Complement: 550
- Builder: Portsmouth Dockyard
- Laid Down: 26 Jun 1933
- Launched: 27 Jul 1934
- Completed: 6 Jul 1936
- Service: Completed as HMS Amphion and sent to the South African station as flagship. She was paid off for refit in 1938 in order to be sold to Australia. Renamed HMAS Perth, she was at New York representing Australia at the World's Fair in 1939 when war was declared. 8th CS America and West Indies Sep 1939-Feb 1940. Australia Squadron Mar-Dec 1940. 7th CS Mediterranean Fleet Jan-Jul 1941. Although designed to carry a catapult amidships like Sydney, it was not installed until Jul 1941; she is shown here with a temporary quad 2pdr mount installed on the catapult base in early 1941. Bombed and damaged off Crete, 30 May 1941. Return to Australia Squadron Aug 1941 with refit and repairs at Sydney, Sep-Nov 1941.
Took part in the Battle of the Java Sea, 27/28 Feb 1942. In company with USS Houston she was sunk off Java 1 Mar 1942 by Japanese forces including cruisers Mikuma and Mogami.
Previous
Up