HMVS Cerberus

HMVS Cerberus arrived in Port Phillip Bay in 1871 and as ‘the most powerful ship for harbour defence in the world’ became flagship of the Victorian Navy.

After Federation the Cerberus became part of the Royal Australian Navy, before being withdrawn from service and sold for scrap in 1924.

The Cerberus was initially purchased for use as a breakwater by members of Black Rock Yacht Club, but was finally purchased and relocated to her present site by Sandringham City Council in 1926.

The Cerberus history of service was such that the Royal Australian Navy named the base at Flinders after the ship. Cerberus was the first vessel to become a registered place in the National Heritage List. For more information, visit the official HMVS Cerberus website.