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CERBERUS IV prior to restoration in 2008
Cerberus IV
CERBERUS IV prior to restoration in 2008
CERBERUS IV prior to restoration in 2008
Private Collection

Cerberus IV

Vessel numberHV000329
Date1945
DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 13.72 m x 4.23 m x 1.8 m, 30 tonnes (45 ft x 13.88 ft x 5.91 ft, 30.48 tons)
DescriptionIt is understood that CERBERUS IV was built for the Australian Army by Brooks Robinson Pty Ltd in Melbourne Victoria and finished just after the end of World War II. It was originally ordered as AT 1511 BURRION but was transferred from the Army to the Royal Australian Navy. It was then attached to the naval shore establishment HMAS CERBERUS at Westernport, Victoria and served as the name ship for that base until 1958. It was sold in that year as a private vessel and renamed INDIAN PACIFIC.

However some confusion exists about the true identity of these surviving tugs and CERBERUS IV may have had a different builder and original name.

The tug is heavily constructed in the typical manner of these carvel planked vessels and much of the planking and internal structure remains original with repairs being done due to deterioration.

CERBERUS IV is similar to both NABILLA (HV000083) and BAREKI (HV000028).


SignificanceCERBERUS IV is one of the wartime wooden tugs or tow boats as they were also known, designed in Sydney by Arthur Swinfield, and built in many different Australian yards during World War II for military service. A relatively small but unknown number have survived and CERBERUS IV, now more than 60 years old, is an operating example still largely in its original configuration. In 2009 it was being restored in northern Queensland to be used as a private motor vessel.
APANIE in wartime as AT1520 COMBARA
1945
HMAS CASTLEMAINE at Gem Pier, Williamstown in 2010
Melbourne Harbour Trust
1942
FLYING FISH IV in action
Arthur Wallace
1968
CHEYNES IV off the WA coastline
A/S Frammes MEK Verksted
1948
VICTORY in 2018
Melbourne Harbour Trust
1936
BALANDRA under restoration in 2017
Jock Muir
1966
ACROSPIRE IV in 2012
Charlie Peel
1929
NABILLA on display at the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum in Port Lincoln, South Australia.
Slazengers Ltd
1945
ELIZABETH in 2010
Arthur Bishop
1951
MISTRAL IV has an elegant low sheer and long overhangs and is quite different from the cruising…
J J Savage
1932