H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1924, Page 1

H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA

OHS EQUIES COMMENCE. IUSTBALIAN AND N.Z- CABLE ASSOCIATION. SYDNEY, April 11. The warship Australia will go to her grave to-morrow. Despite many protests, the Minister of Defence persists in his decision, and she will be sunk twenty miles off the Heads This decision is endorsed by Admiral Field. He declared it was inevitable under the terms of the Washington Conference Treaty. Besides, the warship was worth very little for ship-breaking purposes. The Australia has l>cen dismantled as far as the removable portions are concerned, and is practically a hulk. With her will go certain twelve-inch guns, which were sent out for arming purposes, but which have lain in the naval dockyards for years and were never placed aboard. Many beautiful floral emblems from clubs ami other bodies, and personal floral tributes were placed aboard her. That from the Millions Club was inscribed:—“ln loving memory of the defender of Australia’s millions.” SUNK AS A TIULK. SYDNEY, April 13. The battleship, Australia, was on Saturday towed to sea by tugs, and with her seacocks open, and her colours flying, plunged beneath the elements which she rode so triumphantly during and since the war-scarred days of 391-1. The day was perfect, and crowds, though of smaller dimensions than 'marked her entry, saw her depart on her final cruise. Although towed out as a worn-out hulk, she took her final farewell with all honours, sinking with her colours flying, and to the accompanying sound of a royal salute, fired from the cruiser "Brisbane,” which also was accompanied by the cruiser “Melbourne,” and three destroyers. The Australia was loaded with flowers and wreaths arriving from all sections of the community. The special service light cruisers, which sailed for Brisbane yesterday, fired a salute in honour of the doomed ship iust before she sank. A liolc was blown in her side, and plugged with dynamite, which was fired by an electric ignition coil before the crew left.