Queensland Maritime Defence Force Auxiliary Gunboats facts for kids
Bonito in 1896
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Quick facts for kids Class overview |
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| Name: | Queensland auxiliary gunboats |
| Builders: | Walkers of Maryborough |
| Operators: |  Queensland and Australia |
| Preceded by: | None |
| Succeeded by: | None |
| Built: | 1884–1885 |
| In service: | 1884 – at least 1901 |
| In commission: | 1884 – at least 1901 |
| Completed: | 5 |
| Active: | 0 |
| Retired: | 5 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 450 tons |
| Propulsion | Expansion steam engines |
| Armament |
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The Queensland auxiliary gunboats were a group of five special ships built in Australia during the late 1800s. They were designed to help protect Queensland's coast. These ships were unique because they were originally built for river work but were later changed to carry a powerful gun. They were the biggest warships made in Australia before the country became a federation.
Contents
Building Australia's First Warships
In 1884, Queensland started its own navy, called the Queensland Maritime Defence Force. At first, they bought two gunboats and a torpedo boat. But Queensland has many ports along its long coast. So, more ships were needed to protect them all.
The government decided to use five ships that were already being built. These ships were for the Queensland Department of Harbours and Rivers. They were changed to also work as auxiliary gunboats. This meant adding a powerful 5-inch gun to each ship. Their engines were also moved lower down for better protection.
The five ships were named:
- Bonito
- Bream
- Dolphin
- Pumba
- Stingaree
Design and Service
These ships were built by a company called Walkers in Maryborough. They were powered by steam engines and had two propellers. They were quite large for their time, weighing 450 tons. This made them the biggest warships ever built in Australia before the country officially became a nation in 1901.
During the 1890s, there was a difficult economic time. This meant there was less money for the ships. Most of them were kept in reserve, meaning they were not actively used. Instead, they became training vessels for new sailors.
What Happened to the Ships?
- Stingaree served until 1895.
- Pumba was still active when Australia became a federation in 1901. She was later sold to a company called Pioneer Gravels. In 1958, she was rebuilt and renamed Enterprise. She continued to work as a cargo ship even into the late 1970s.
- Bream, Dolphin, and Stingaree were all sunk off Tangalooma, in Moreton Bay. Bream and Dolphin were sunk in 1963, and Stingaree in 1966.
See also
- List of Queensland Maritime Defence Force ships
- Colonial navies of Australia – Queensland
