Cerberus
Launched in 1868, the Cerberus is the only remaining breastwork monitor class warship left in the world. The Cerberus is one of the most historically important naval vesels in existence, with world-wide significance in the development of naval architecture and the conduct of naval warfare. Ordered on behalf of the people of Melbourne in 1866 and serving always within Port Phillip Bay, it was the longest-serving colonial warship.
In 1924, after being sold for scrap, most of the more valuable parts were stripped from the ship. Despite this the hull, internal divisions, anchors, turrets and four guns survived. The City of Sandringham purchased the hull for a breakwater in Half Moon Bay, where it has remained for over 70 years.
In 1997 the Trust classified the vessel as being of national significance, and subsequently the Cerberus was the first vessel to become a registered place in the National Heritage List.
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 loading.
The Trust holds on behalf of the Friends of the Cerberus the $500,000 grant from the Federal Government’s National Heritage Investment Initiative for conserving HMVS Cerberus.
April 2012
The Commonwealth has written to us to confirm that it does not support on heritage grounds any of the options identified in the independent engineering report for stabilising the turrets. The Commonwealth will however permit the funding to be used for underwater 3D surveys, installation of an impressed current system to retard corrosion, and interpretation, including recovering the guns from the seafloor and installed on the foreshore, subject to relevant approvals.
January 2012
Following many months of negotiation with the Friends, Heritage Victoria and the Historic Heritage Branch in Canberra, the funding agreement has been renegotiated to allow for a digital survey and for design work to brace the gun turrets. A 3D scan of Cerberus above the waterline has been undertaken. The scan provides the first comprehensive digital record of the vessel and will allow for high-end web-based interpretation. Design work for physical works to prevent collapse of the turrets through the deck has been completed and we are seeking advice from the Commonwealth on their reaction to the report’s recommendation and the level of intervention that would be supported and acceptable in order to stabilise the turrets.
July 2011
Under ideal conditions the first stage of designing the Gun Turrets bracing support structure took place on Friday 15 July 2011. 3D Spatial undertook the 3D scanning of the above water section of Cerberus. Three scans were taken of each side of Cerberus from a Jackup Barge. Further scans were taken on board the Breastwork Deck of Cerberus as well as from inside and from on top of both Gun Turrets.
April 2011
Following many months of negotiation with the Friends, Heritage Victoria and the Historic Heritage branch in Canberra, the original funding agreement for has been renegotiated to allow for the bracing of the gun turrets. There will also be a 3D scan of Cerberus to provide the first comprehensive digital record of the vessel. Design work for bracing works to prevent collapse of the turrets through the deck can now also commence. We are grateful to Heritage Victoria for their assistance and to the Federal government for allowing the variation to the original agreement. The project is only possible because Bayside City Council has agreed to take on the project management role.