We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land.
We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons.
Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written
or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
The steam tug 'Melbourne' originally 'Howard Smith' was owned by the Australian Steamships Pty Ltd. It was launched in 1951 in Aberdeen and completed in March 1952. It operated in Melbourne and transferred to Howard Smith Industries in 1964 as the 'Howard Smith' and later renamed 'Melbourne'. It sank after colliding with the 'Nieuw Holland' off Melbourne in 1972 and raised and stripped by 1975. It was finally scuttled in Morton Bay in January 1979.
Significance
Operated in and around Melbourne in the 60s and 70s and low lies as a reef in Morton bay
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands
where we live, learn and work.
