SPEED

Various claims have been made as to the speed of Cerberus. The evidence below shows that Cerberus regulary exceeded 10 knots and on at least one occasion achieved a speed of 12.4 knots.

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Original Square Box Boilers

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• 1869   -   10 knots
  
  The Cerberus was originally designed for a speed of 8½ knots an hour, but on her trial trip she went 10 knots, or 1½ beyond her contract speed.
  
  Special Correspondent of the European Mail after visiting Cerberus. Reported in the Brisbane Courier, 1 December 1870

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• 1871   -   9½ knots
  
  ...but this was beaten coming up the Bay yesterday, when a speed of 9½ knots was attained with a full head of steam. ("coming up the Bay yesterday" refers to the arrival of Cerberus from Britain with an extra mast, temporary iron deck and raised bulwarks.)
  
  Geelong Advertiser, 12 April 1871

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• 1871   -   9 knots at 86 rpm
  
  The twin screws and the four engines were in operation, and the highest speed attained was 9 knots, with 86 revolutions of the screw.
  
  Geelong Advertiser, 16 September 1871

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• 1871   -   10 knots
  
  ...with apparent ease, and despite bad coal and a foul bottom, she made 10 knots an hour...
  
  The Argus 29 Sept. 1871

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• 1874   -   11 knots
  
  "The average speed attained on Saturday during the trip was 11 knots and that without undue firing up or extraordinary pressure."
  
  The Argus 18 May 1874

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• 1875   -   10¾ knots
  
  "...at what rate can the Cerberus steam?"
  
  "If she could come up full speed - 10 knots - she has done as much as 10¾....
  
  Interview with Captain Panter, June, July & August 1875
  Royal Commission on the Volunteer Forces, Papers Presented to Parliament, 1875-6 Vol 3
  
  

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  Locally Made Cylindrical (Scotch) Boilers

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• 1883   -   9 knots
  
  "Under 28lb. of steam, the engines make 86 revolutions per minute, the speed was logged at fully 9 knots an hour. That was the best result attained, and under the circumstances it may be considered most satisfactory. It must be understood however, that the boilers and pipes are not yet covered with non-conducting material, and a large amount of power is lost by radiation."
  
  The Argus 17 October 1883

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• 1887   -   10 knots
  
  "The Cerberus had the Gordon (torpedo boat) in tow, but she was nevertheless able to steam 10 knots an hour, and get well ahead of the Albert."
  
  The Argus 14 March 1887

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• 1890   -   7 knots at 74 rpm
  
  On 12 July 1890, 7 months since last going into Dry Dock to have the hull cleaned, the Cerberus Log book recorded a speed of 7.0 knots at 74 revolutions. (included to show how engine speed related to ship speed)
  
  

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• 1900   -   12.4 knots
  
  

  "With a clear sky and the Bay as calm as a mill pond, everything portended a successful cruise in the Cerberus.
  .....Commander Tickell had a speed trial over a measured mile laid by the patent log, which showed the time record to be 12.4 knots per hour."

  The Age, April 14 1900
  
  "When off Werribee the Cerberus ran a speed trial over a measured mile, at a rate of 12.4 knots an hour. The speed recorded on the trial run of the Cerberus when she was built was 9½ knots. To-day's run is accounted for by the overhaul recently given to the engines."The Argus, April 14 1900
  
  "The speed was fixed by means of a patent log, and it was covered in one instance in 4 mins. 42 sec. and in the second in 4 min. 40 sec. or, in other words a speed of over 12 miles an hour was attained."
  The Herald, April 14 1900
  • Cerberus had been dry docked to have her hull cleaned one month prior to this occasion. (10-20 March 1900)
  • (12.4 knots = 22.94 kph)
  • On April 13 the Cerberus log recorded :-

    ship steamed measured mile in 4 m 42 s 2.35 (pm) ship steamed measured mile in 4 m 40 s

Speed relative to Engine Speed

• 9 knots at 86 rpm (16 September 1871)
• Under 28lb. of steam, the engines make 86 rpm, the speed was logged at fully 9 knots an hour (17 Oct 1883)
• 7.0 knots at 74 revolutions (12 July 1890)
• Her propellers are made to make 100 revolutions in a minute, which is equal to a speed of 9¾ knots an hour. North Otago Times, 12 May 1871