HMAS Adelaide (1918)

HMAS Adelaide in her third armament configuration
History
Australia
NameAdelaide
NamesakeCity of Adelaide
BuilderCockatoo Island Dockyard
Laid down20 November 1915
Launched27 July 1918
Completed31 July 1922
Commissioned5 August 1922
Decommissioned27 June 1928
Recommissioned13 March 1939
Decommissioned17 May 1939
Recommissioned1 September 1939
Decommissioned26 February 1945
Recommissioned19 May 1945
Decommissioned13 May 1946
Motto
  • "Ut Prosint Omnibus Conjuncti"
  • "United for the Common Weal"
Nickname(s)HMAS Longdelayed
Honours and
awards
  • Battle honours:
  • Pacific 1941–43
  • East Indies 1942
FateSold for scrap
General characteristics
Class and typeTown-class light cruiser
Displacement5,560 long tons (5,650 t)
Length138.8 m (455 ft)
Beam14.9 m (49 ft)
Draught5.7 m (19 ft)
PropulsionParsons turbines, 2 shafts, 25,000 shp (19,000 kW)
Speed25 knots (46.3 km/h; 28.8 mph)
Complement
  • 1922: 33 officers and 450 sailors
  • 1941: 26 officers and 436 sailors
Armament
Armour3-inch (7.6 cm) side armour-belt over midships section

HMAS Adelaide was a Town-class light cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), named after Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. Laid down in 1915, wartime shortages and design modifications meant the ship was not completed until 1922, earning her the nickname "HMAS Longdelayed".

Adelaide served with the Royal Navy's Special Service Squadron during 1924 and 1925, and was involved in the 1927 Malaita massacre. She was decommissioned in 1928, but was modernised and returned to service just before World War II began. During the war, Adelaide was involved in successful efforts to secure the colony of New Caledonia for Free France, was present during the Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour, and intercepted the German blockade runner Ramses.

The cruiser was decommissioned in 1946, and broken up for scrap in 1949.