Gun turret from HMAS Swan given to Albany

18/11/96

Albany has been given the gun turret from the HMAS Swan by the State Government, Tourism Minister Norman Moore announced today.

"The gun will give the Town of Albany, which is planning to display it at the historic Princess Royal Fortress, another valuable addition to this already fantastic tourist attraction," Mr Moore said.

"It was important to the Government that the State gained maximum value from the decommissioning of HMAS Swan and this gift to Albany provides another tourism attraction for Western Australia."

Mr Moore said the removal of the gun turret would take place in Bunbury, where the ship's decommissioning was being finalised, because of ballast requirements when towing the vessel.

Earlier this week it was announced that the Geographe Bay Artificial Reef Society had been the successful tenderer for HMAS Swan. Once sunk, the vessel would become the biggest dive wreck in Australian waters.

Mr Moore said he was pleased to be able to make a gift of the twin 4.5-inch gun to Albany and hoped it assisted in attracting visitors to the town.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444