Torpedo Accident Monument

in the Williamstown Cemetery

Torpedo Accident Monument photographs by David Joy.

The ordinary meeting of the Williamstown Borough Council was held last evening, when, in answer to a question from Councillor Douch, it was ascertained that a subscription list had already been started on board H M S Nelson and Cerberus for erecting a suitable tablet to the memory of the unfortunate men who lost their lives in the explosion on Saturday last, and for affording assistance to the relatives of those who had been left in positions of dependence. The mayor of the borough was empowered to take any steps he thought necessary to further the object in view.

The deceased were buried with naval honors in the Williamstown Cemetery. Their remains were followed to that place by detachments of the Victorian naval forces, the Naval Reserve, the Williamstown Artillery, and of the crews of the French transport Finistere, the German corvettes Habicht and Mowe, and the Italian steamer Europa. The shops along the route were partially closed as the funeral passed, and large numbers of people were present in the streets.

A small obelisk has been constructed out of the fragments of the boat which was blown up in the torpedo accident off Queenscliff in March last. The model is in the shape of a monument, and is a facsimile of the one lately erected in the Williamstown Cemetery by the comrades of the unfortunate men who lost their lives while doing their duty. The pedestal is made out of part of the keel of the boat, the centre out of the gunwale, and the top out of one of the broken oars. The model stands about 9in. high, and bears the following inscription :- "In memoriam of R. S. Groves, William Barnes, James Wilkie, James Hunter, and Henry Timberly, killed in the boat of the Cerberus by the torpedo explosion, off Queenscliff, on 5th March, 1881" It is the work of A. J. Sims, an A B. on board the Cerberus, and is of considerable merit. It is made out of the only pieces saved of the boat.

Honour Roll

in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

Able Seaman A.J. Bennett NSW Naval Contingent. Boy Albert Arthur Gibbs Victorian Navy, died in China, aged 17. Able Seaman J. Hamilton NSW Naval Contingent. Private T.J. Rogers NSW Marine Light Infantry. Able Seaman Eli Rose NSW Naval Contingent. Private C.W. Smart NSW Marine Light Infantry. Staff Surgeon J.J. Steele NSW Naval Contingent. Details from Bluejackets & Boxers, Bob Nicholls, Allen & Unwin, 1986, Sydney.

Australian Navy Foundation Stained Glass Window

in the Mission to Seafarers, Docklands.

The Australian Navy Foundation Day celebrates the foundation of the Australian Navy on 1 March 1901. The stained glass window at the Mission to Seafarers at 717 Flinders Street, Docklands, Victoria includes an image of HMVS/HMAS Cerberus and Captain Creswell.