| Below are listed significant dates for Cerberus. Anyone able to add events to those listed is asked to e-mail the details to the webmaster. We are also keen to know of photos to illustrate events or simply photos that we do not know about. | ||
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 indicates item added or updatedin the last month | |
Background Events. | ||
| 1854 - 56 | Crimean War. Britain at war with Russia. | |
| 1860's | Melbourne became the most populous and wealthiest city in Australia. | |
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1860 December 29 | HMS Warrior launched. The first true ironclad. |
| 1862 | Russian frigate "Svetlana" visits Melbourne. | |
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1862 January 30 | USS Monitor launched. |
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1862 March | Fears of war with the United States of America. |
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1863 March | Russian corvette "Bogatyr" visits Melbourne. |
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1865 January | Confederate commerce raider "Shenandoah" visits Melbourne. |
| 1866 November | British Colonial Office writes to Victorian Treasurer offering to pay most of the cost of "an armour plated monitor or Turret ship". | |
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1867 July 1 | Ship design "for the defence of Melbourne harbour" was approved. |
Construction & Trip Out. | ||
| 1867 September 1 | keel of Cerberus laid down | |
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1867 September 10 | Order given to build an "Armour Plated Turret Ship for the Defence of Victoria (Melbourne)." |
| 1867 September 24 | Order given that the name Cerberus be used. | |
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1868 March | Armour Plate trial |
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1868 December 2 | Cerberus launched |
| 1869 March 27 | HMS Captain launched |
| 1869 | HMS Monarch completed |
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1869 May | Cerberus Completed. |
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1869 June 5 | Cerberus trial trip off Northumberland coast. |
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1869 June 7 | Cerberus ordered to Chatham. |
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1869 June 10 | Cerberus arrives at Chatham for fitting out for the delivery voyage. |
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1869 August | Cerberus undergoes a Steering Trial in the English Channel. |
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1869 August 14 | Cerberus undergoes a Speed Trial. |
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1869 September | Other Monitors being built. |
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1869 November 9 | Cerberus almost scuttled. |
| 1869 November 17 | Suez Canal opened. | |
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1869 November | Temporary Bulwarks, & sailing masts fitted for delivery voyage. |
| 1870 April | Guns fitted. |
| 1870 May 17 | Leaves Dry-Dock. |
| 1870 September 7 | HMS Captain sinks during sea trials. |
| 1870 September 12 | Commissioned at Chatham with 15 officers. | |
| 1870 September 16 | Cerberus handed over to Lieutenant Panter. | |
| 1870 September | Navigating Crew hired. |
| 1870 October 29 | Sets out from Sheerness on the first leg of the trip to Victoria. |
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1870 November 28 | Arrived in Malta where many desertions took place. |
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1870 December 19 | Arrived at Port Said Egypt. Second warship to pass through the newly opened Suez Canal. |
| 1871 January 6 | Reached Aden. |
| 1871 January 31 | Arrived at Galle, Sri Lanka. | |
| 1871 February 4 | Reached Batavia. (Indonesia) | |
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1871 March 16 | Arrived in Freemantle, Western Australia. |
| 1871 March 17 | Naval Reserve formed. | |
| 1871 April 9 | Entered Pt Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. |
Life in Victoria. | ||
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1871 August 25 | First trial in the Bay. |
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1871 August 26 | Trip to Geelong. |
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1871 September | Churches attempt to close Cerberus on Sundays. |
| 1871 October 27 | Tied up at newly laid moorings in Hobson's Bay. |
| 1872 April 1 | Exercised against HMVS Nelson & the Williamstown Batteries. |
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1874 April 22 | Placed in Dry Dock for the first time. |
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1875 August 5 | Supposed Earthquake in Melbourne found to be Cerberus firing guns at the Heads. |
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1876 March 17 | "The Taking of Cerberus " hoax published in the Herald newspaper. |
| 1877 April 24 | Argus Newspaper states that Cerberus is fully manned. | |
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1877 | Hydraulic Steam driven steering gear fitted. |
| 1877 November 9 | Shot from HMVS Nelson lands in St Kilda. (origin of Cerberus bombarding St Kilda myth.) | |
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1877 December 23 | Cerberus placed on war footing. |
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1877-78 | Russia and Britain almost go to war. |
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1877-78 | Russia draws up a plan to attack Melbourne. |
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1877 April | Two 12 pounder "Boat Guns" fired on board Cerberus. |
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1877 | Brennan torpedo tested. |
| 1878 May | Small starboard after boiler repaired & cupola fitted to conning tower. As a result Cerberus said to be in thoroughly efficient state. | |
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1878 May | Steam Launch and Steam Cutter from Cerberus fitted with spar torpedoes. |
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1878 June 5 | Captain Mandeville suggests "Running the Gauntlet" of the Heads Batteries under live fire. |
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1878 October 19 | Tenders advertised for construction of a single "Military Mast". |
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1879 | "Electric Lights" (searchlights) purchased. |
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1880 January | First Refit complete. Twin signaling Pole Mast configuration replaced with single iron "Military Mast" with "Fighting Top". |
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1880 September 13 | Assisted with Emerald Hill flood. |
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1880 November | Commodore Wilson's Report |
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1881 February, 27 | Captain Mandeville & friends picnic at Half Moon Bay. Cerberus band entertains guests on the beach. |
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1881 March 5 | The "Torpedo Accident". |
| 1881 May 5 | Report into "Torpedo Explosion" released. | |
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1881 June | Letter casting doubt on section of Torpedo Report. |
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1882 February | A Russian Squadron enters Port Phillip Bay and challenges the Victorian Navy to a series of boat races. |
| 1882 March 24 | Cerberus placed in dry dock for temporary repairs to the boilers and to have barnacles removed from the hull. | |
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1882 August | Gatling Gun fitted. |
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1882 December 1 | Captain Mandeville requests that a Picket Boat be purchased to guard against Torpedo Boat attacks. |
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1882 December 15 | Cerberus diver, air-pump & 300 feet of hose sent to assist at the Creswick Mine disaster. |
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1883 | The fictional pamphlet "Battle of the Yarra" was published. |
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1883 July | Admiralty asked for opinion on re-arming Cerberus with 26 ton muzzle loading guns. Admiralty disapproved. Guard Boat approved. |
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1883 | Engine Room Telegraph Gear fitted. |
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1883 September 9 | Replacement of original Square Box boilers with locally manufactured Cylindrical boilers completed. |
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1883 September | The first of four Nordenfelt 4 barrel 1 inch "machine guns" fitted. |
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1884 August 26 | The first 10 inch RML gun is damaged when three cracks develop in its barrel. |
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1884 | Admiralty asked for opinion on re-arming Cerberus with Breech Loading Guns. Not considered advisable. |
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1884 September | Two Practise Gun Turrets and Guns ordered. |
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1885 | The 1885 War Scare |
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1887 January 29 | "The Dash At Melbourne", a fictional account of a joint French Russian naval attack on Melbourne. |
| 1887 April | Cerberus runs aground at the Heads during a sham fight. | |
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1888 | The fictional booklet "Battle of Mordialloc" was published. |
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1888 March | Torpedo netting and spars fitted. |
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1888 February | Flying Deck shortened. |
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1888 | Director Firing introduced. |
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1890 March 24 | Two Nordenfelt 6 pounder QF Guns mounted on Flying Deck. |
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1888 July 2 | When both telegraph lines to Europe were severed & the colonies military forces were mobilised. The fleet was sent to the Heads. |
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1890 July 12 | Cerberus stationed at the Heads when both telegraph lines to Europe again cut, this time for 9 days. |
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1891 April | Martini-Henry rifles with Morris Tubes, attached to 10 inch RML guns to allow inexpensive practise. |
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1892 | Fleet Mobilisation improved. |
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1892 May | Four decks re-decked. |
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1893 | Original searchlights replaced. |
| 1894 May | Old funnel replaced with new one. | |
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1894 October | Proposal to re-arm with 8 inch Breech Loading Guns. |
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1897 | Auxiliary boilers & electric generators from Victoria II & Albert fitted to provide electric light and improve ventilation. |
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1897 March | Cerberus sinks the belted cruiser "Bruiser" at the Melbourne Exhibition Building. |
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1897 July | 14 pounder Maxim-Nordenfelt QF Guns were fitted on the Breastwork Deck. |
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1897 September 16 | Damage noticed to left gun in aft turret. |
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1897 October | Request made to fit 8 inch breech loading guns. |
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1897 | Cerberus officially becomes the Flagship of the Victorian Navy. |
| 1898 January 1 | Moved to new moorings off Williamstown. | |
| 1898 November 30 | A second 10" RML gun is replaced when it develops a cracked trunnion. |
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1900 April 13 | Speed of 12.4 knots achieved. |
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1900 | Naval Brigade, comprising Permanent Naval members & Naval Reserve go to China to subdue Boxers. Two 14 pounder Maxim-Nordenfelt QF Guns removed and converted for use on land. |
| 1901 | On the death of Queen Victoria, Cerberus fired 81 guns for (Queen)Victoria and 21 for her successor. | |
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1901 March 1 | Naval forces of previous colonies, now states, transfered to Commonwealth as the "Australian Commonwealth Navy". |
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1903 | Plans prepared to install 7½ inch breech loading guns. This was not implemented. |
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1904 | Proposal to re-arm with 6 inch breech loading guns. |
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1905 | Possibly the last time that Cerberus operates under steam. After this date she is towed to where required. |
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1905 | Cerberus continually referred to as H.M.A.S. Cerberus. |
| 1905-6 | Boilers condemned. | |
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1906 | Colonial Naval Forces Amalgamated. |
| 1907 April | Cerberus towed down the bay to participate in the Easter Manoeuvres. Fires 10 inch guns, possibly for the last time. | |
| 1907-8 | Turret guns condemned. | |
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1908 August 29 | Cerberus Salutes the visiting U.S. "Great White Fleet". |
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1909 April 9 | Cerberus towed to Queenscliff to participate in the Easter Manoeuvres, almost certainly for the last time. |
| 1910 | Moved into Hobson's Bay and used as a store ship and control ship for boat drills. | |
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1911 July 10 | Under King George V's signature the Australian Commonwealth Navy was renamed the Royal Australian Navy. |
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1912 July 1 | Cerberus was commissioned as the name ship to the Naval Depot at Williamstown. |
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1912 October 18 | Wireless transmission from Cerberus. |
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1914 | Designated "Port Guard Ship" and floating explosives store during the Great War. |
| 1919 | Ports & Harbours refuse request to dump Guns, Turrets & Armour Plates in Pt. Phillip Bay. They suggest that it would be more appropriate to do so in deeper water outside the Heads. | |
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1921 April 1 | Decommissioned as HMAS Cerberus and recommissioned as HMAS Platypus II. Used as a submarine supply ship. |
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1921 June 3 | As HMAS Platypus II, is towed to Geelong by HMAS Platypus. |
| 1924 April 23 | Sold to Melbourne Salvage Co. for £409. |
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1926 June | Williamstown Council protested against the proposal to sink Cerberus outside the Heads. |
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1926 September 2 | Towed to Half Moon Bay and scuttled. |
Recent Events | ||
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1940 August 1 | Six Naval Reserve Bases ceased to be named Cerberus II through to VI. eg Cerberus III at Port Melbourne became HMAS Lonsdale. |
| 1942 c. | Japanese claim to have sunk HMAS Cerberus. |
| 1958 | Commando on a training exercise involving Cerberus drowns. |
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1970 | Pledge By Sir. Henry Bolte to save Cerberus. |
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1972 | Public Appeal by "Cerberus Preservation Trust" for $250,000 to tow Cerberus to a new site. |
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1985 | Proposal to relocate Cerberus near Polly Woodside supported by Prime Minister Bob Hawke. |
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1987 | The Second Damaged 10" RML Gun is moved from Ballarat to the HMAS Cerberus Naval Depot. |
| 1993 December 27 | Cerberus suffers a major collapse in a storm. |
| 1995 | Cerberus Preliminary Conservation Plan: "urgent action now recommended". | |
| 1996 | National Trust supports Bayside Council's Cerberus project. | |
| 2000 September | GHD P/L completes Engineering Feasibility Plan. |
| 2001 | Cerberus Preservation Working Group formed. | |
| 2002 May | Engineering Report Commissioned. |
| 2002 July | Cerberus Preservation Working Group changes name to Save the Cerberus Alliance. |
| 2002 November | Geotechnical drilling carried out. |
| 2003 February | Engineering Report presented to committee. "Cerberus is at imminent risk of Catastrophic Collapse." | |
| 2004 January | "Victorian Navy" reactivated. |
| 2004 September 3 | Cerberus nominated for inclusion in the National Heritage List. |
| 2004 October 13 | Minister Mary Delahunty announces $80,000 grant to remove the guns. |
| 2005 March 1 & 3 | The four 10 inch RML Guns removed and placed on the seabed. |
| 2005 December 14 | Cerberus listed on the National Heritage List. |
| 2006 April 9 | Cerberus joins the Maritime Museum of Victoria. |
| 2006 May 19 | John Wood becomes patron of Save the Cerberus. |
| 2006 July 16 | Successful relics dive & Victorian flag again flies from Cerberus. |
| 2006 September 3 | Cerberus Celebration Day. |
| 2007 June | Joint Funding suggested by Victorian Government. |
| 2007 November 3 | National Trust lists Cerberus in Australia's Top Ten Heritage Places at Risk list. | |
| 2007 November 14 | Joint Funding discussions agreed to by Federal Government. |
| 2007 December 9 | Cerberus Celebration Day. |
| 2008 February 6 | Minister Peter Garrett agrees to meet with Heritage Victoria & Minister Justin Madden. |
| 2008 August 26 | Minister Peter Garrett announces a $500,000 NHII grant towards stabilising Cerberus. |
| 2009 October | Cerberus Art Exhibition. |
| 2010 November 27 | Tenders advertised to Design & Contruct Bracing System for gun turrets. |
| 2011 April 18 | 140th Anniversary of Arrival of Cerberus in Port Phillip Bay. |
| 2011 May 19 | NHII grant conditions varied to allow Turret Bracing project to commence. |
| 2011 May | BMT Design & Technology commences designing turret bracing system. |
| 2011 July 15 | 3D Spatial undertake 3D scanning. |
| 2011 July | Interpretive signs erected at Half Moon Bay. |
| 2011 August | BMT Design & Technology reports on preferred turret bracing design. | |
| 2012 April | Friends of the Cerberus becomes aware that the federal and state heritage departments have decided to abandon the turret bracing project. | |
