19 April 1860
Her Majesty’s Colonial Ship (HMCS) Victoria was the first Australian warship to be deployed overseas by a government on the Australian continent. In April 1860, four decades before Australian Federation, Victoria was sent in support of colonists engaged in the First Taranaki War (1860–1861). It was part of the broader New Zealand Wars (1845–1872). This became the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) earliest battle honour.
The conflict between European colonists and Māori populations had erupted after a breakdown in how colonists interpreted the text of the Treaty of Waitangi. The treaty had stipulated what land could be colonised. The outbreak of hostilities proved overwhelming for local colonial forces. Officials soon requested reinforcements. New Zealand’s geography meant Australian colonists were best placed to respond quickly.
In April 1860, the colony of Victoria sent the sloop Victoria to Hobart to embark two companies of the 40th Regiment of Foot. They were transported to the North Island of New Zealand. From there, it conducted coastal patrols and shore bombardments.
Prior to Victoria’s departure, the colonial government in Melbourne had passed the Armed Vessels Regulation Act. This gave the sloop legal status as a naval vessel. Victoria had originally been under the control of the police department in Melbourne.
When the new Act covering Victoria was received in Britain, London refused ratification. They viewed it as overreach on the part of this very new colony. Consequently, a new policy evolved – that all warships belonging to colonies and intended for foreign operations would need to be commissioned into the Royal Navy.
The result was the British government’s Colonial Naval Defence Act 1865. Colonies could have their own ships, as long as they were under Admiralty control. London did not have a problem with the colonies having ships for coastal defence. The issue was how they would be operated lawfully as vessels of war on the high seas.
Victoria spent the New Zealand Wars transporting:
- troops
- dignitaries
- supplies.
This exchange was between colonies in Australia and New Zealand. Victoria was not only the first vessel built for a British colony, but the first colonial military unit to serve overseas.