The Gayundah was acquired by the Queensland government for the colony's Maritime Defence Force to be available for protection against the perceived threat against the Russian Pacific Fleet. She and her sister ship Paluma, were the first vessels commissioned for these purposes by this government.
The Aboriginal name for Gayundah means, ‘Lightning’ and the meaning of the name Paluma means, ‘Thunder.’ Both ships took part in trials on September 1884 reaching a little over 10.5 knots over a ten mile course. They cost 35.000 pounds each with a ‘flat iron’ design. They mounted a formidable armament for their size.
Following a stint overseas, which included countries such as Gibraltar, Malta, Suez, Aden, Colombo, Bativia and then Thursday Island and Townsville in Queensland, Australia, she arrived in Brisbane on March 1885. Masts and yards provided assistance throughout this long journey and from then on her main task was to protect the Moreton Bay area. She became a training ship for the Q’ld Maritime Defence Force.
In 1886 The Gayundah was placed at the disposal of the Admiralty if required, by the Q’ld Government and consequently, Rear Admiral George Tyron authorized the gunboat to wear the White Ensign of Her Majesty’s Fleet. But in 1888, problems arose due to a disagreement over salary and a change of command was ordered. Reluctance by Francis Taylor, (the first lieutenant) to comply with these orders caused further friction.
He argued that because the ship wore the white ensign he was not under Queensland authority so Captain Wright moored the Gayundah in the middle of the Brisbane River whilst threatening to sail for Sydney. He was arrested at gunpoint by a boarding party led by the Police Commissioner and the crisis was thus defused.
The Gayundah’s history includes the fact that she carried out the first ship to shore wireless telegraphy experiments in Australia in April 1903. Her aerial was supported by a tall bamboo pole which was lashed to the foremast.
This very first message read:
Gun drill continued this afternoon and was fairly successful - blowing squally and raining - prize firing tomorrow. Marconi insulators were interfered with by rain but easily rectified and communication since has been good. Good night.'
The Gayundah spent many months on a ‘special cruise,’ in 1911; her mission to enforce Australian sovereignty in north western waters and this was the first operation of its kind for the nascent Australian Navy.
She received a few structural repairs in Sydney between 1913 and 1914 which included a raised forecastle, and the 6-inch forward gun which had replaced the original 8-inch gun, was removed. These alterations provided extra accommodation inside the ship and improved her sea-keeping abilities also.
She returned to Queensland waters after the outbreak of World War 1 providing useful service despite the fact that she was then, one of the RAN’s oldest vessels. Eventually the Gayundah was sold in 1921 to a Brisbane Gravel company and this career change enabled her to act as a sand and gravel barge. She sank at her moorings at Melton Reach in October, 1930 but was soon raised and back at work.
She was stripped in1958 after being towed to Bulimba wharf and her hull was sold to the Redcliffe Town Council. After 74 years afloat, the Gayundah was beached as a breakwater off the Woody Point cliffs on the Redcliffe Pennisula and this is where she still rests today and where I was able to capture these images.
