HMCS Protector arrived in South Australia in 30 September 1884 to an enthusiastic welcome. The vessel had been built for the South Australian government in response to a suggestion from the British government that the colonies acquire gunboats or torpedo boats and man these with locally recruited men. This would protect the major ports. Finally after the appropriate legislation had been passed, in November 1882, a contract was signed for the construction of a vessel designed for use in the South Australian gulf waters, and sufficiently well armed to engage most 'anticipated' commerce raiders.

Protector displaced 920 tons and was built of steel. She was 188 feet long, beam 30 feet, powered with coal fired boilers and engines capable of developing 1640 hp. She had twin screws, and reached an average 14 knots during sea trials. For her size she was a heavily armed ship, with one 8-inch, 12 ton breech loading gun, five 6-inch, four ton guns - two on each broadside and the other on the stern. There were also five, 10-barrel Gatling guns. The 8-inch gun had an extreme range of 7,500 yards with a shell of 180 pounds.

In 1900 Protector participated in the Boxer Uprising in China as one of the combined British naval force. Offered by the South Australian government the Royal Navy had insisted on placing a British crew in the ship. This however was refused and a compromise was reached where her former commander, Captain William Creswell who had formerly served in the Royal Navy, was placed in command, with her usual commander CJ Clare serving as Senior Lieutenant. Protector saw no action in China, but the efficiency of her crew was noted by the Royal Navy.