REDBIRD

Location Hastings, Western Port VHR Number S560 Date lost 1940 Year of construction 1915

Statement of Significance

Physical Description
Construction Material	Steel
Hull Details	Steel hull, single screw steamer.
Propulsion	Steam - Screw
Length / Breadth / Depth	70.5 Feet / 14.0 Feet / 6.7 Feet
History
Builder	Public Works Department
Built Date	1915
Built Port / Country	Williamstown, Victoria / Australia
Registration Port / Country	Melbourne / Australia
Details	The tug Redbird was built at Williastown in 1915 and originally named ANZAC. The vessel's name was changed shortly afterwards when the federal government passed legislation prohibiting the use of the name for commercial purposes. As a result, the vessel was renamed REDBIRD. It was operated by Melbourne Harbour Trust until 1934 when it was sold to a Mr J.L. Dyson who planned to convert it into a commercial fishing vessel. This plan never came to fruition. The vessel was laid up, and some time during the 1940s, it broke free from its moorings during a gale and drifted onto a sandbank to the east of Hastings and was abandoned.
Voyage Details
Date Lost	1940
Owner	1925: Melbourne Harbour Trust 1934 Mr J .L. Dyson
Cause of Loss	Vessel broke free from its moorings, drifted ashore and was abandoned
Further Details
Number of Passengers	0
Number of Crew Members	0