Built for South Australian defense during a Russian scare, Protector remained useful through radically changing naval eras. In World War I she escorted Australian submarines toward German New Guinea and then guarded Rabaul. She later inspected Emden's wreck, served as a tender, and swept Victorian coastal waters. After conversion to an oil-carrying lighter, she was requisitioned again in 1943 before collision damage led to her final use as a Queensland breakwater.
Chapter · 52:11-57:23
HMAS Protector serves from colonial defense to World War II
The 1884 gunboat Protector escorted submarines, guarded ports, tended Cerberus, swept mines, and later returned to service with the US Army.