H.M.S. AUSTRALIA.

Shannon News, 15 April 1924, Page 4

H.M.S. AUSTRALIA.

feOES DOWN WITH COLOURS FLYING. (Received Sunday 7 p.m) SYDNEY, April 13. The? battleship Australia was towed to sea by tugs,, and with seacocks open and . colours flying, plunged beneath I tjie element which she rode .so triumphantly during and since the irwarnscaured days of 1914. i The day was perfect and crowds, though of smaller dimensions than ithose th?it marked the entry, saw her depart on her final cruise. Although stowed oat, as a. worn-out hulk, she cook he? final?farewell with all hon- /■ ours; ■'-sinking; with • her colours \ flying and + o tfie accompanying sound of the Royal Shlute, fired from the cruiser Biisbane, which was also accompanied by the and three destroyers. s ’ The Australia was loaded witn flowers, fwreaths arriving from all sections lof the community. Special service light cruisers sailed with the? Brisbanl, and fircd a salute in honour of-the doomed ship just before ,she sank i A‘hole was blown in her side and, plugged with dynamite, which was .fired by an electric ignition coil before the crew ■ left.