ON this day 12 April 1924, the battle cruiser HMAS Australia (I) was ceremonially scuttled off Sydney under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. Keeping her manned and operational had become impractical in the reduced circumstances of the post war RAN.
Prior to scuttling all useful fittings were removed from the ship and many relics can be found widely distributed around Australia. For example; her steam whistle remained in use for many years on top of the Powerhouse in Canberra, while the table from the admiral’s cabin is now on display in the Senate Opposition Party Room at Parliament House, Canberra.
