Gayundah and her sister ship Paluma were acquired to deal with the perceived threat from the Russian Pacific fleet.

These were the first vessels ordered by the Queensland government for the colony’s Marine Defence Force. Their names are aboriginal words for ‘lightning’ and ‘thunder’ respectively. 

Built at a cost of £35,000 each, the vessels were of a ‘flat-iron’ design and mounted a formidable armament for their size. Both ships carried out trials on 26 September 1884 and reached a speed slightly over 10.5 knots in full power trials over a ten mile course.

While separated by 100 years, Gayundah was approximately the size of the RAN’s Armidale class patrol boats.

Gayundah has a fascinating but largely forgotten history – from colonial gunboat, to Australian Navy patrol boat, then barge and finally breakwater. Gayundah now lies at Woody Point on the Redcliffe peninsula; just north of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. No doubt you will agree Gayundah was worthy of a more dignified end.