Fear of a Russian attack supplied the immediate rationale for Cerberus. Russia was the named threat, although it was unlikely to be the only power considered. Other states were expanding and pursuing colonies in the Far East and around Australia. A hostile cruiser or raiding force did not need to defeat the Royal Navy as a whole to threaten a distant colonial harbour. Cerberus gave Victoria a defended point that any such raider had to consider.
Notable Point · 10:30-11:24
Fear of raids in Victoria's imperial setting
Official concern centred on a Russian attack, while Victoria also faced growing imperial competition for colonies in the Far East and around Australia.