Defence Series No. 104 - HMAS ADELAIDE. Cruiser of 5,100 tons.

Publisher Rose Stereograph Co (Australian, founded 1880)

Maker Royal Australian Navy, Department of Information

Date1939 - 1945

Object number00028887

NamePostcard

MediumPhotographic print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 87 x 138 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis black and white photographic postcard shows the modified Town class light cruiser HMAS ADELAIDE. The postcard details the ships weight, speed, guns and torpedoes at the base of the card. Produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Armadale, Victoria, this postcard is number 104 in a series of cards featuring Royal Australian Navy ships.HistoryHMAS ADELAIDE (I) was a Town class light cruiser commissioned in 1922 and built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney. It was sent to New Caledonia (French colony) in 1940 to monitor the Vichy French. It took part in the Royal Navy's Special Service Squadron world cruise on the leg from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA to the UK. It was also the first Royal Australian Navy ship to pass through the Panama Canal. In 1928 it was paid off into the Reserves and then taken out to be refitted in 1938 for war duties. During World War II ADELAIDE conducted operations along Australia's east and west coasts undertaking patrol and escort duties, being one of the navy ships present in Sydney Harbour during the Japanese midget submarine attack in May 1942. In 1942 it also sank the German blockade runner RAMSES in the Southern Indian Ocean, stopping to collect the survivors. It was paid off in 1946 and in 1949 ADELAIDE was sold and broken up for scrap metal at Port Kembla.SignificanceThis postcard of HMAS ADELAIDE is a pictorial record of a vessel that holds a significant place in Australian maritime history having served in the Royal Australian Navy.