| Name: | PROTECTOR |
| Type: | Cruiser; (1912: Gunboat) |
| Keel: | 08/12/1882 |
| Launched: | 27/12/1883 |
| Completed: | 19/07/1884 |
| Builder: | Sir WG Armstrong, Mitchell & Co |
| Yard: | Low Walker |
| Yard Number: | 457 |
| Dimensions: | 921disp, 80.5 x 30.0 x 12.5(draft)ft |
| Engines: | 2 x 2cyl, 1500ihp |
| Engines by: | R & W Hawthorn, Newcastle |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Screws, 14.0knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Armament: | 1 x 8.0ins, 5 x 1 x 6.0ins & 4 x 1 x 3.0pdr guns; |
| (1912: 3 x 1 x 4.0ins QF, 2 x 1 x 12pdr QF & 4 x 1 x 3pdr QF guns) | |
| History: | |
| 19/07/1884 | Government of South Australia |
| 1911 | Royal Australian Navy |
| 1924 | Unknown owner; renamed SYDNEY |
| 1943 | Wrecked |
| Comments: | 1884: Built at a cost of £65,000 |
| 1911: Converted to a gunboat, with built up bow | |
| 1924: Converted into a lighter, carrying wool between Geelong & Brisbane | |
| 1943: Requisitioned by the US Army, but damaged when under tow to New Guinea | |
| 1943: Beached off Heron Island, Queensland & used as a breakwater | |
| 2020: Wreck still in existence |
Above photo is copyright of the Royal Australian Navy
Above photo is copyright of the Royal Australian Navy
Above photo, as originally configured as a cruiser, is courtesy of Terry Summerson
Above photo, as originally configured as a cruiser, is copyright of Allan C Green. CLICK to enlarge/BACK to return
Above photo, as originally configured as a cruiser, is copyright of Allan C Green
Above photo, as configured as a gunboat, is copyright of Allan C Green
Above photo, as configured as a gunboat, is copyright of Allan C Green. CLICK to enlarge/BACK to return
Above photo, as configured as a gunboat, is copyright of Allan C Green
Above photo is copyright of the Royal Australian Navy