Thread: For the Mil enthusiasts. Navy Cerberus

Originally Posted by garrycol

There is no way these 33' boats have between 1200 and 1500 HP in each engine - they were not endowed with power - adequate comes to mind - my guess about 250hp each but not sure.

Garry

I'm quoting a net figure Gary; i.e. 600-750hp each rated to a military spec. Standard automotive rating was 290-320hp, but 400+hp was easily achieved. Are you sure they weren't 555s, often refered to as triple fives or triple troubles?

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I'm quoting a net figure Gary; i.e. 600-750hp each rated to a military spec. Standard automotive rating was 290-320hp, but 400+hp was easily achieved. Are you sure they weren't 555s, often refered to as triple fives or triple troubles?

Quote: "often refered to as triple fives or triple troubles?"
More often Cripple Fives, the boat I was on was a half cabin "workboat" and it was powered by 2 x 903T's @320HP each and would cruise at 20+ knots all day, would hate to pay the fuel bill, but a loverly boat, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I'm quoting a net figure Gary; i.e. 600-750hp each rated to a military spec. Standard automotive rating was 290-320hp, but 400+hp was easily achieved. Are you sure they weren't 555s, often refered to as triple fives or triple troubles?

I have absolutely no idea what engines they have.

Originally Posted by p38arover

But why a barge?

No idea - obviously historical.

Clues maybe

A capacious, flat-bottomed vessel of state (ie Royal) used in pageants that moves in the slow, heavy manner. Think Coronation Barges on the Thames etc

Originally Posted by land864

She is currently in a fairly sad state

If my numbers came up I would be sorely tempted to try and buy her and restore her for histories sake.

Always sad to see history slowly deteriorate like that. Yes it would be great to restore her to her former glory wouldn't it?

Any idea if there is a Navy vessel preservation society who would take it on if I could facilitate it?

Don't know what size or type of engine they had but they certainly got a hurry on when you needed it, handled really well and sounded fantastic. Lot of memories came back when I enlarged the attachment, went on many a run on them back in the early seventies whilst under training at Leeuwin. Don't do boats much now but would love to be able to afford & restore one.

Cheers,

Peter.

Originally Posted by land864

Currently staying with a friend up on the Hawkesbury at Berowra Waters.

A few years back this old girl caught my eye because of her classic lines.

I have struggled to find any history on her.

Does anyone know what type or class of boat she would be?

She is named Cerberus and has an RAN numbered plate inside.

She is currently in a fairly sad state

If my numbers came up I would be sorely tempted to try and buy her and restore her for histories sake.

I have been touch with the RAN historical society and the HMAS Cerberus base society to no avail.


Any contacts or suggestions on finding out some info would be greatly appreciated.

Pete

They were built in Victoria (somewhere) and were transported to Sydney, they were originally owned by private contractors, later taken over by the Navy, wood construction, Regards Frank.