October 4, 1958
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
A preliminary specification for a new aircraft carrier is submitted for review to Sir Phillip McBride. The specification calls for a carrier of between forty and sixty thousand tons at full load, a length of no less than 850 feet with a maximum length of 970 feet and a beam no greater than 147 feet so as to fit within the Captain Cook Graving Dock on Garden Island. Two steam catapults capable of launching an aircraft weighing 40,000 pounds at a minimum speed of 130 knots or an aircraft weighing 70,000 pounds at 100 knots were to be fitted. Arresting gear and deck strong enough to recover aircraft weighting at least 50,000 pounds at landing would be required along with command and control facilities sufficient to command a fleet from. And finally, the ability to carry at least forty tactical aircraft of the latest type along with support aircraft such as Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and helicopters would be needed. This would give them a carrier large enough for a powerful airwing today and future proof enough for tomorrow.
Sir Phillip read over the specifications and chuckled to himself. The Navy was making their intentions very clear with this paper. They wanted either a new build, custom designed carrier or a second hand Essex class. Flipping to the page listing the desired radar and radio fit, he was surprised to see that American equipment was listed as the preferred choice over British supplied equipment. This would mark a significant shift in Australian defense policy and acquisitions. For decades, British ships, aircraft and equipment had been preferred. But with the latest preference for American aircraft, he supposed that it only made sense to prefer compatible radars and radios as well.
Making a series of notes, he sent a memo back to the Navy asking for their minimum required needs. He knew without even having to ask that Parliament would never approve the costs to design and build a one-off carrier. And the American supercarriers were far more ship, and far more expense, than Australia needed. Perhaps if the British were designing and building a new class of carrier he could swing buying a new ship. Particularly if he could get the ship built in Australia. But they weren't. So it would be an American ship. And likely one of their Essex class ships unless the Americans were willing to eat the cost to downsize one of their existing designs to fit Australian needs. He somehow rather doubted that they would be.
