Design

HMAS Perth was designed and constructed as a modified Leander class light cruise
r. The original design was intended to fulfill the desire for a cruiser armed wi
th 152mm to serve with fleets. Perth was fitted with the same armament used on t
he Leander class. The primary difference between Perth and her older sister ship
s was the adoption of segmented machinery spaces. This allowed for the ship to c
ontinue operating should one engine room become inoperable. The main belt armor
was subsequently lengthened to protect her larger machinery spaces and the beam
of the ship was increased slightly to improve her stability. Two funnels were in
stalled instead of a single funnel due to the split machinery spaces. This limit
ed the space available on deck and prevented a seaplane catapult from being moun
ted when the ship was first being fitted out. She later received a shortened cat
apult for use with the Supermarine Seagull.
Perth herself did not undergo many refits or modifications throughout her career
. As completed, her 102mm guns were fitted in single mountings but this was chan
ged to double mounts before she was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy. Sh
e also received several small caliber anti-aircraft guns.
Though she saw service mostly in the Royal Australian Navy, Perth was built in t
he United Kingdom and commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Amphion. Her name
was later changed when she was transferred to Australia.