POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Swash plate engine used on HMAS Australia

Object No. B1319

This unusual hydraulic engine played a crucial role on Australia's first battle cruiser, turning one of the gun turrets smoothly and accurately so its guns could be aimed at an enemy target, even as the ship rolled in a heavy sea. It was made by the leading British manufacturer of armaments and warships, the Elswick Ordnance Company of Newcastle-on-Tyne, which had been founded by Sir William Armstrong. As well as designing and making guns, Armstrong was a pioneer of the hydraulic industry. Many Australians were shocked when British officials determined that HMAS Australia would be scuttled under the terms of the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty, a disarmament agreement aimed at reducing the chances of another world war. Australia was not itself a signatory to the treaty alongside the UK, USA, Japan, France and Italy; despite the valour and sacrifice of its forces at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, it had not really come of age as a fully independent nation. Public interest in the fate of Australia's first battle cruiser led to the salvage of equipment and of brass and teak to be re-shaped as souvenirs (see the Australian War Memorial's object REL31272 and the Australian National Maritime Museum's photograph 00034328) for donation to municipalities and educational institutions or (in the case of brass ash trays) for sale. Without national pride in it as the flagship of the Royal Australian Navy, and concern at its scuttling, all materials and fittings would probably have been recycled as scrap, this engine included. Brooks, John, 'Dreadnought gunnery and the Battle of Jutland: The question of fire control', page 44. Debbie Rudder 2019

Loading...

Summary

Object Statement

Swash plate engine, 14 cylinder hydraulic, made by Elswick Ordnance Company, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, used on the battle cruiser HMAS Australia, 1913-1924

Physical Description

Comprises 14 cylinders, 6 supply ports, 6 discharge ports. Valve moves at 1/6 speed of swash plate in opp. direction. Max. pressure 2000 lbs. approx. size 30" x 21" x 21". Plate on engine reads in part, "sunk off Sydney April 12, 1924 in conformity with the conditions of the Washington Treaty". Presented in 1924 to Sydney Technical College.

DIMENSIONS

Height

650 mm

Width

750 mm

Depth

550 mm

HISTORY

Notes

The engine was used to turn a gun turret on board HMAS Australia. Hydraulic operation, and the arrangement of cylinders so the pistons impacted in turn (from alternate ends of the engine) on a swashplate instead of on a crankshaft, allowed the turret to be turned smoothly and accurately to focus on a target.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Gift of University of Technology, 1956

Acquisition Date

5 November 1956

Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.

Image Licensing Enquiry

Object Enquiry