HMAS Auckland (ADV-1913 (1932-mod)

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The Area Defence Vessel  concept of rebuilding old capital ships to carry lots of seaplanes for use as local bases at islands and harbours that would not normally have the base facilities that could be provided by an ADV plus the added advantage of being able to be used as training ships during time of peace. HMAS Auckland and HMAS Gascoyne were the Australis Neptune class ships and had the same turret arrangement as the Australis Indefatigable class ships but being 80 feet shorter they were not able to have the same level of hangarage and therefore less aircraft and or trainees, marines.

The same reduction of arms, armour and speed was carried out in these ships to take them out of the active battleship class and so to not count against the Treaty tonnage total. The work was undertaken from 1932 to 1934 and this made way for the Westralis class that was to replace these ships. Because of the limitations the demilitirisation work left these ships they were not used in first line postings.

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