HMS Australia was a Royal Navy battleship commissioned in 1888, part of the Admiral-class battleships. The ship was the first to bear the name Australia, reflecting the British Empire's ties to the Australian colonies. With a displacement of 10,600 tons, she was armed with four 67-ton guns and had a top speed of 16.25 knots. HMS Australia served in the Mediterranean Fleet and later the Channel Fleet before being placed in reserve in 1902. During the First World War, the ship was used as a training vessel and later as a depot ship for minelayers. In 1918, she was renamed HMS Drake to free up the name Australia for a new battlecruiser. Following the war, HMS Drake was converted into a depot ship for destroyers and served in that role until being sold for scrap in 1922. HMS Australia's career exemplifies the changing roles of battleships in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, from frontline combatants to support and training roles. The ship's association with Australia highlights the importance of naval power in maintaining and projecting the British Empire's influence across the globe.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.