"The shipwreck has a magnificent history,"the University of Queensland's Dr Stuart Kininmonth said.
"He dragged it literally across from Gladstone and put it on the reef. At the same time they blew this channel [with explosives] into the [Heron Island] harbour and it became part of the harbour."
"You go to that ship and you will see so many fantastic things because all the fish, sharks, and turtles and rays are all enjoying the habitat around the ship. It provides them a lot of security."
"Not only is the vessel deteriorating, with sharp edges and parts that can fall into the water, it's also a protected heritage site,"a spokesperson said.
"They were called flat iron gunboats because when you looked at them from the side they resembled the type of flat iron that you poured hot coals into to iron your clothes in the 19th century,"Captain Cooper said.
"After that campaign she defended trade and escorted vessels, [and] did mine clearance around the Australian coast for the remainder of the war,"Captain Cooper said.
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