laststandonzombieisland

The 121-foot coal-fired steam tug Forceful (288 tons) was built in Govan, Scotland in 1925 for the Queensland Tug Company and spent most of her working life working out of Brisbane.

She also had important WWII service as HMAS Forceful (W126), based at Fremantle and Darwin, surviving several Japanese air attacks at the latter, and rescuing the crew of a ditched American B-26. Besides towing lighters to Marauke in Dutch New Guinea, she also carried out secret missions in support of Z special mission types.

Retired from active use in 1970, she was donated to Brisbane’s Queensland Maritime Museum – one of Australia’s largest maritime museums– who used her in short sightseeing trips until 2006 when she was pulled from the water.

The QMM houses the River-class frigate HMAS Diamantina (K377) safely ashore in the South Brisbane Dry Dock, the historic Commonwealth Lightship 2 (CLS2) Carpentaria, the 116-year-old pearling lugger Penguin which was used by the Americans during WWII, along with the dinghy from General Douglas MacArthur’s motor yacht Shangri-La.

However, nothing lasts forever, and in a museum, especially a maritime museum, there is never enough money

From Capt. Sir Kasper Kuiper R.O.N, Chair, Queensland Maritime Museum Association:

After 30 months of desperately seeking a safe and final resting place for the Forceful, we have been unsuccessful in locating a suitable place for her.

The Chair and Board of Directors came to the realization that the QMMA is not able to keep the ship where she is. In the coming weeks, the Forceful will begin to be deconstructed. We are looking at retaining some artifacts of her to create a fitting tribute for her.

It is very sad that this is the final outcome, but there is no alternative.

I thank you for all the support you have shown for the Forceful.

The post brought dozens of disgruntled comments, but no offers of a solution, with the QMMA replying:

If you have a place for Forceful to go please call Chair Kasper on 38445361. Thanks