HMQS Miner

Career (Queensland)
Builder: Evans Anderson & Phelon, Brisbane
In service: 1887
Out of service: 1901
Homeport: Brisbane, Queensland
Fate: Sold to private operator. Abandoned as breakwater, Bishop Island, 1953.
General characteristics
Displacement: 65 tons
Length: 92' 9"
Beam: 15'
Draught: 5' forward, 4' aft
Speed: 8 knots

HMQS Miner was a vessel built for the Queensland Army before being transferred to the Queensland Maritime Defence Force. She was not taken on strength by the Commonwealth Naval Forces at federation in 1901 and subsequently sold.

HMQS Miner was originally built for the Queensland Army as a military steamer. At some stage after this she was transferred to the Queensland Maritime Defence Force and refitted for service as a submarine miner. An inspection of the vessel on 8 March 1901 determined that she was "in good condition but unsuitable for submarine mining defence".

HMQS Miner was later sold to private owners. She was put on Bishop Island at the mouth of the Brisbane River in 1953. HMQS Miner is one of up to fifteen ships to be used to build up what was previously known as Hercules Bank and Bishop Island. The area has recently been reclaimed to extend facilities at the Port of Brisbane.

See also

Bibliography