In 1969 a Queensland branch of the World Ship Society was formed. Those who joined had an interest in both shipping and maritime history. The members were asked to assist in showing maritime historical artefacts as part of Navy week.

As a result of the interest shown in the display, and realising the scope of historic artefacts in Brisbane, it was decided to form a steering committee to investigate the possibility of establishing a maritime museum in Brisbane. The Queensland Museum advised that it was responsible for all government museums under the Museums Act, but had no plans for establishing a maritime museum.

It was decided to call a meeting of interested persons and as a result of this meeting a decision was made to form an organization to establish a maritime museum with agreed Memorandum of Association stating that it shall be run by volunteers for the preservation and display of historical artefacts for the benefit of the public.

An approach was made to the Queensland Tug Company for the retired steam tug Forceful. In time, approval was given by the tug company and on 10 June 1971, the tug was handed over to the Association.

The Queensland Government was approached for the disused South Brisbane dock for use as a site for a maritime museum, the request was granted and the Brisbane City Council offered support. As a result of the press, radio and TV publicity there were applications received from 50 persons wishing to be members.

After taking possession of the South Brisbane dock on 1 April 1973, work commenced to clear the grounds as well as refurbish Forceful. In 1974, Brisbane had the biggest flood for many years, which flooded the area and destroyed what had been done. The flood covered the dock grounds to a depth of over 1 metre and flooded most buildings, leaving silt and rubbish everywhere.. The members set to and in December 1979 the old diesel workshop was opened as a museum display hall by the then Governor Sir James Ramsay.

The next highlight was when the Royal Australian Navy was persuaded to make the recently decommissioned World War 2 frigate Diamantina available as an exhibit in South Brisbane dock. The dock had been flooded for years and there was a lot of work, mainly by volunteers, making the dock ready for the ship. This included the removal of over 3 metres of silt from the dock floor.

A crew of our members, with the help of 12 Naval technicians, sailed the Diamantina from Sydney to Brisbane. In 1981, at last, all was ready and the ship placed in the dock and work commenced to restore her to her original configuration as a frigate. The restoration is still continuing. The ship is open to the public with mess decks and other spaces now housing displays of Naval historic artefacts which date from Queensland Colonial Naval Defence Force to today's Navy.

Following Expo ‘88, the building then used for the “Pavilion of Promise” display was given to the Queensland Maritime Museum Association as a museum hall. After a lot of hard work, the building was, and still is, open to the public each day with displays of classic ship models, marine engines, photographs, paintings and lighthouse equipment and many other historic items. It also houses a valuable library. The Queensland State Government funded an extension to the building in 2001/2, making it one of biggest maritime museums in Australia.

TODAY

Our 80 year old steam tug, Forceful is still a centrepiece, maintained and crewed by our volunteers. Forceful is the only steam tug remaining in Queensland. Normally, she makes trips to Moreton Bay carrying 100 passengers each weekend from Good Friday to June and from early September to early December. However, currently she is under repair for approximately 6 months. .

The museum is run by the Queensland Maritime Museum Association, which is governed by an elected Board consisting of a Chairman and eight Directors (5 Internal and 4 Invited). The Queensland Maritime Museum is a self-funded organization.