Queensland Maritime Defence Force Auxiliary Gunboats

After the formation of the Queensland Maritime Defence Force in 1884, the colonial government purchased two gunboats and a torpedo boat to equip the new force.[1] However, given the number of ports along the Queensland coast it was realised that additional ships were required. Five ships had already been ordered for the Queensland Department of Harbours and Rivers when the decision was taken to convert them to also serve as auxiliary gunboats. This resulted in the fitting of a 5-inch gun and the relocation of the boilers below the waterline. The ships were as follows: Bonito, Bream, Dolphin, Pumba, and Stingaree.[2]

Bonito in 1896
Class overview
Name:	Queensland auxiliary gunboats
Builders:	Walkers of Maryborough
Operators:	Queensland and Australia
Preceded by:	None
Succeeded by:	None
Built:	1884–1885
In service:	1884 – at least 1901
In commission:	1884 – at least 1901
Completed:	5
Active:	0
Retired:	5
General characteristics
Displacement:	450 tons
Propulsion:	Expansion steam engines
Armament:	1 × BL 5-inch (127 mm) gun Except Benito: 1 × 64-pounder gun

Steam-propelled twin screwed "hopper barges",[3] these ships were built by Walkers at Maryborough and, at 450 tons, they were the largest warships built in the Australian colonies before Federation. The depression of the 1890s greatly curtailed operations with most of the vessels placed in reserve and being used as training vessels. Stingaree served until 1895 whilst Pumba remained on strength at the time of Federation in 1901, before being sold to Pioneer Gravels (Queensland). She was rebuilt in 1958 and renamed Enterprise, serving as a cargo vessel beyond the late 1970s.[2] Bream (1963), Dolphin (1963) and Stingaree (1966) were sunk off Tangalooma, Moreton Bay.[4]