- Author
- Editorial Staff
- Subjects
- Ship histories and stories
- Tags
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- RAN Ships
- HMAS Protector II, HMAS Protector I
- Publication
- March 2025 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
In June 1919, the Royal Australian Navy gunboat HMAS Protector almost sank. The incident took place off Cape Everard, (known as Point Hicks since 1970), the small coastal headland in the East Gippsland region of Victoria. Heavy seas and a strong south-westerly winds had developed in the region before the 1884-vintage, former South Australian colonial cruiser entered Bass Strait.
The following description is reproduced from The Age newspaper, Melbourne, June 1919.
THE DISABLED GUNBOAT
Protector reaches Melbourne
Presenting a curious and weather-beaten appearance, minus main top mast and funnel, the small gunboat HMAS Protector entered Port Phillip Bay yesterday morning (23 June 1919), in tow of the tugboat James Paterson. Later she came up to Hobsons Bay and moored at the dockyard pier.
Many of the vessel’s complement had a very uncomfortable passage in violent south-westerly weather. The gale, accompanied by high seas, was first encountered in the vicinity
of Cape Everard. Protector had been relieved of her guns before leaving Sydney for Melbourne, and in light trim, she rolled heavily in the rough seas.
On Saturday (21 June), the funnel went overboard, while at the height of the storm the main topmast and the wireless aerial gear carried away. A jury smokestack had to be erected. In this crippled condition it was decided to make for shelter to Sealer’s Cove.
News of the vessels plight having been telegraphed to Melbourne from headland stations, the tug James Paterson was dispatched. The tug arrived on Monday about 2 p.m. and took Protector in tow. The voyage to Sealer’s Cove after the funnel and masthead had gone overboard, was a tedious undertaking.
