SS Pfalz

The "Pfalz" was a 6,557-ton steamer operated by German shipping company "Norddeutscher Lloyd". [cite web |url= http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/NDL2.html |title= Norddeutsche Lloyd (NDL) |accessdate=2007-07-02 |format= |work= ] The ship became the target of the first shot fired by British Empire forces in World War I, soon after departing the Port of Melbourne in Australia. cite web |url= http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources07/07_1710.pdf |title= Point Nepean Forts Conservation Management Plan |accessdate=2007-07-02 |format= |work= ]

Port Phillip incident

The ship departed Victoria Dock in Melbourne on 5 August 1914, with Williamstown-based pilot Captain Robinson aboard. As the ship passed Portsea it was momentarily stopped by the "SS Alvina" but allowed to proceed.

Just before the ship approached Port Phillip heads, the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery stationed at Fort Nepean was informed of the declaration of war with Germany, and had received an order to "stop her or sink her". Signals were hoisted, commanding the ship to halt. As the warning had no effect, a shot was fired across the bow of the ship from one of the fort's six-inch Mark VII guns. The pilot convinced the ship's master that a second round would likely be directed at the ship itself, and the ship was turned around. The ship was taken back to Portsea where the crew was placed under arrest. [cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/03/1091476490096.html?from=storylh |title=Historic barrels fire up memories of battles past |date=2004-08-04 |publisher="The Age" |accessdate=2007-07-02]

HMT "Boorara"

The ship was subsequently requisitioned by the Australian Navy and refitted as a troop transport at Williamstown. It was rechristened HMT "Boorara". Soon after it took part in the 2nd Australian convoy, with subsequent duties including the transportation of Turkish prisoners from the Dardanelles.

While serving in the Aegean Sea in July 1915 the ship collided with the French cruiser "Kléber", and was beached at Moudros and subsequently taken to Naples to be repaired.

Later in the war, the ship was torpedoed twice in the English Channel. The first time, on 20 March 1918, the ship was stuck near Beachy Head and was towed to Newcastle for extensive repairs. The second time it was struck near Whitby on 23 July 1918 and was again repaired and, in 1919, was utilised for repatriation of Australian troops. [cite web |url= http://users.netconnect.com.au/~ianmac/coastal.html |title= Coastal Defences of Colonial Victoria |accessdate=2007-07-02 |format= |work= ]

References

External links

* [http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/b/4/1/doc/b41949.shtml State Library of Victoria: Boorara x Pfalz (photo)]