officer.JPG (9639 bytes)

badge.JPG (25575 bytes)

ship 2.JPG (11050 bytes)

ship 1.JPG (108057 bytes)

 Commissioned as the principal Warship of the South Australian Navy in 1884. "Protector was the ship that took Australians to China in 1900.

On return from duties, she became part of the RAN and was purchased for service with the USA Army Small Ships Command.

'Protector' was on her way to New Guinea in 1944 when she was holed by a tug and abandoned on the beach at Heron Island, where she still serves as a breakwater.
 

The Australian Navy to which the ‘Protector’ belonged was called the Auxilary Squadron.

Here ships of the Squadron stage a mock battle in Sydney Harbour near the turn of the century.

ships.JPG (38612 bytes)

gun crew.JPG (79425 bytes)

Members of the New South Wales Naval Brigade serving in China and as it is today.

naval gun.JPG (17809 bytes)

gun 1.JPG (38697 bytes)

All information and photos from 'Diggers 1860-1994' by George Odgers, Endorsed by the Australian Defence Force