HMVS Cerberus: 150 Years

With the passing of Britain’s Colonial Defence Act 1865, the Victorian colonial government successfully obtained funding from Britain towards increasing its naval defence, commissioning Australia’s first armoured warship. The Cerberus – named for the three-headed dog that guarded the gates to the underworld in Greek mythology – was commissioned as a coastal defence ship to safeguard Melbourne, Australia’s largest and wealthiest city of the time.

Designed by Edward James Reed and built by Palmer Shipbuilding & Iron Co. near Newcastle in Britain in 1867–69, the Cerberus arrived in Port Phillip Bay on 9 April 1871, following a dramatic 123-day voyage across the globe. This stamp issue marks the 150th anniversary of the vessel’s historic entry to service in Australia in 1871.

The 225-foot (68.58m) Cerberus, with a beam of 45 feet (13.73m), had a two-cylinder 250-horse-power engine, powering two screw propellers, which allowed her to reach a maximum speed of 12.4 knots, with a cruising speed of seven knots. Designed specifically for Port Phillip Bay, the Cerberus’s flat keel meant she was not restricted to the channels, as any attacking ship would be, but could move with freedom throughout the bay. Her innovative lack of sails meant that she could be adequately manned by a small colonial navy. For 36 years, the Cerberus guarded Port Phillip, yet was not once called upon to engage in conflict. She was later sunk at Black Rock to become a breakwater. The site is a maritime heritage zone that comes under the auspices of Heritage Victoria.