An item dated Melbourne 28 March reported that Australian labourers fiercely complained against the intended building of two Australian cruisers in England.(1) According to the unions were millions thrown away on a foreign market with cheaper labourers for totally unnecessary ships with just a result: more tax to be paid.
Note
1. The heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra of the Kent/County class laid down at the shipyard of John Brown&Company at Clydebank (yard no. 513) on 9 September 1925, launched on 31 May two years later and completed on 10 July 1928 (a day earlier commissioned) and which was sunk by American torpedoes on 9 August 1942 after being heavily damaged in the battle of Savo Island against Japanese forces. With a displacement of 9,850 (light)-10,000 (standard) tons and as dimensions 180 (between perpendiculars)-192,05 (over all) x 20,80 x 6,50 (maximum) metres or 590-630’1”x 68.25’x 21’4”. The eight boilers and four turbines supplied 80,000 shp allowed a maximum speed of 31.5 knots. The crew numbered 690 (peace)-819 (war) men. Main armament consisted of 4x3-8”guns.
The heavy cruiser HMAS Australia of the Kent/County class laid down at the shipyard of John Brown&Company at Clydebank on 26 August 1925, launched on 17 March two years later, commissioned on 24 April 1258, decommissioned on 31 August 1954 and a year later sold to be broken up.
