COUNTESS OF HOPETOUN (HMAS)

Location

Swan Island, Port Phillip Bay

VHR Number

S154

Date lost

1924

Year of construction

1891

Statement of Significance

The Countess of Hopetoun is historically significant as the last vessel to be built for the Victorian naval force. It is also significant for the vessel's role in patrolling Port Phillip Bay during World War I

Physical Description

Construction Material Iron

Hull Details Cost: 15,000 pounds. Initial complement: 19 Speed: 24 kts; Speed under sail approx. 5 kts Speed: 20 kts Armament: 4 sets dropping gear 2 x two 1"; three 14"torpedo tubes - one in bow under turtle deck, two on revolving carriage on after-deck; two twin

Propulsion Steam - Screw

Engine Builder Locomotive boiler, engines 1186 HP (also described as 1100 HP) Cyls: 14 1/2", 21" & 32"

Number of Masts 3

Length / Breadth / Depth 130.0 / 13.5 / 7.0

History

Builder Alfred Yarrow

Built Date 1891

Built Port / Country Poplar, London / England

Former Details of Registration Built for Victorian Navy before sold to final owner as scrap

Details
Rigged as a schooner for the voyage to Australia, the Countess of Hopetoun arrived in Port Phillip 21 May 1892. It was commissioned 25 July 1892. Lady Hopetoun, the Governor's wife, launched it at Williamstown. It was the last warship built to order of a colonial government. During World War I patrolled Bay and acted as a tender at Williamstown. After being attached to torpedo flotilla at Flinders Naval Depot, it was sold for scrap, together with some of the fittings of submarine J3, to Edward Hill for 1500 pounds in April 1922. Dismantled hull sold separately from machinery and equipment, 5 Nov. 1924. Had been rigged as schooner for voyage to Australia.

Voyage Details

Date Lost 1924

Owner Edward Hill, 77 Chapman St, North Melbourne

Cause of Loss
":The hull of the torpedo boat was beached ashore on Swan Island, where it remains mostly covered by sand and in water from .5 to 2.5 metres deep." (Gillett, 1991 p11)

Further Details

Number of Passengers 0

Number of Crew Members 0

Physical Description
Construction Material	Iron
Hull Details	Cost: 15,000 pounds. Initial complement: 19 Speed: 24 kts; Speed under sail approx. 5 kts Speed: 20 kts Armament: 4 sets dropping gear 2 x two 1"; three 14"torpedo tubes - one in bow under turtle deck, two on revolving carriage on after-deck; two twin
Propulsion	Steam - Screw
Engine Builder	Locomotive boiler, engines 1186 HP (also described as 1100 HP) Cyls: 14 1/2", 21" & 32"
Number of Masts	3
Length / Breadth / Depth	130.0 / 13.5 / 7.0

Builder	Alfred Yarrow
Built Date	1891
Built Port / Country	Poplar, London / England
Former Details of Registration	Built for Victorian Navy before sold to final owner as scrap
Details	Rigged as a schooner for the voyage to Australia, the Countess of Hopetoun arrived in Port Phillip 21 May 1892. It was commissioned 25 July 1892. Lady Hopetoun, the Governor's wife, launched it at Williamstown. It was the last warship built to order of a colonial government. During World War I patrolled Bay and acted as a tender at Williamstown. After being attached to torpedo flotilla at Flinders Naval Depot, it was sold for scrap, together with some of the fittings of submarine J3, to Edward Hill for 1500 pounds in April 1922. Dismantled hull sold separately from machinery and equipment, 5 Nov. 1924. Had been rigged as schooner for voyage to Australia.


Date Lost	1924
Owner	Edward Hill, 77 Chapman St, North Melbourne
Cause of Loss	":The hull of the torpedo boat was beached ashore on Swan Island, where it remains mostly covered by sand and in water from .5 to 2.5 metres deep." (Gillett, 1991 p11)

Number of Passengers	0
Number of Crew Members	0

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