HMVS Cerberus

Why is it important?

The former flagship of the Victorian Colonial Navy, HMVS Cerberus is considered internationally significant as one of the only remaining monitor class warship left in the world.  With its keel laid in 1867, Cerberus was the first armoured warship built for an Australian colony, and upon Federation became the Commonwealth of Australia's first capital ship. 

The Cerberus had an uneventful career for a naval vessel, with never a shot fired in anger in 53 years of service between 1871 and 1926.  After its use as a capital ship had expired, the Cerberus operated in Port Phillip as a port guard ship, a floating explosives store, and a submarine depot ship for six J-Class submarines, until being purposely sunk in 1926 for use as a breakwater for the Black Rock Yacht Club.

Why is it at risk?

The Trust has been lobbying for the preservation of the HMVS Cerberus for some 30 years.  Since 2001 it has been part of the Save the Cerberus Alliance, which includes the Friends of the Cerberus Inc, Heritage Victoria, and the City of Bayside.  With funding provided by Heritage Victoria, the four massive 10” cannon were removed from the vessel in 2005 and placed in the water next to the vessel.  This action was designed to prolong the life of the vessel by removing loadings.

The original request for Federal funding made by the Friends of the Cerberus was for half of the estimated $7.0 million cost of stabilisation recommended by engineers GH&D.  In 2008 a grant of $500,000 was made by the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and this money is held by the Trust.

The Trust conducted discussions with interested persons regarding an appropriate site if a feasibility report indicated that it was viable to move the HMVS Cerberus onto land.  The Iron Preservation Study commissioned by the Friends of the Cerberus indicated that on-shore metal preservation by traditional measures was not financially possible.  While other less expensive techniques are possible, this option was put on the back-burner for the time being.

What needs to be done?

The Commonwealth has provided its in-principle support for use of the $500,000 for basic bracing of the turrets, and removal of the cannon from the water for on-shore interpretation.  Options for less visually intrusive bracing of the turrets will now be explored with engineers, and discussions will begin with City of Bayside regarding interpretation options.