The Dutch naval establishment at Hellevoetsluis described by Bernhard, duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach in April 1825

Ron van Maanen

Bernhard, duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach was permitted by the Dutch king Willem I passage towards the United States using the Dutch sloop of war Pallas(1), commanded by Captain-Lieutenant Ryk(2), ‘a gallant, highly-esteemed, and experienced seaman’.(1) During his visit to North America the Duke visited several naval yards and described those, just like the British navy Lieutenant Fred. Fitzgerald de Roos did a year earlier. (3)

P. 10: “The corvette Pallas, in which our government permitted me to sail for America, was a new vessel, fitted out as an instruction ship. A selection of young naval officers was made for this voyage, as midshipmen. To these were added a young naval architect named Tromp (4) a worthy descendant of historically renowned ancestors, whose deep knowledge, distinguished talents, and estimable character, I became acquainted with and cherished in the course of the voyage. These selected officers were entrusted to the direction of Captain Ryk, one of our most approved commanders, who had orders to visit some of the principal English and American naval depots, in order to acquire whatever knowledge might best promote the interests of his country. On this account the corvette was fitted out rather as a packet ship than a man of war. She had no long guns on deck, except two long sixes in the bows as chase guns; her battery consisted of eighteen twenty-four pound carronades. I was established in the captain’s cabin, and a swinging cot was suspended at night for my sleeping place. In consequence of contrary winds and other causes which it is needless to mention, the corvette could not sail as quickly as ordered. In the mean time I stayed at Hellevoetsluis, and employed my forced leisure in examining this small town and its vicinity.

p. 11: Hellevoetsluis contains upwards of two thousand inhabitants, among whom there is scarcely a poor one to be found. The town properly consists of but one street, on both sides of the harbour, having walled quays, and united by a double drawbridge, built two years ago. Where the town terminates, the dock-yard commences, which contains most of the fortifications. Near the dockyard are the barracks, which can, if necessary, contain two thousand men. The frigate Rhine (5) lay in harbour as guard-ship. There was one ship repairing in the dock, none building. For the purpose of repairing there is, behind the basin of the dockyard, a dry, terrace-shaped, walled basin, or dry dock, large enough for a ship. When the ship is brought into this dock, the gates are closed, and the water pumped out by a steam machine of thirty horse-power. This being done, the ship is dry, and may be examined on all sides. When the repairs are completed, the fates are again opened, the water admitted, and the ship floated out A boat-gate is better adapted to this purpose: a boat-gate consists of a box which exactly enters the canal leading to the dry dock: when brought to the place where it is to be used, a quantity of water is admitted sufficient to sink it to the level of the shores, and then it forms a bridge. When it is necessary to open the gate, the water is pumped out, and the box is withdrawn from the canal. The frigate Kenau Hasselaar (6) was in the basin getting ready for sea, and with the crew of the guard-ship under command of Captain Dibbetz, she was to sail for the East Indies. The frigates Scheld (7), Maas (8), Yssel(9), and Java(10), with the brig Havic (11), and about twenty gun-boats, were laid up in ordinary. One of the gun-boats was built after a Danish model, which allows the upper part of the rudder to be taken down and two ports to be opened, by which the stern can be used in battery. The magazines and smithies are not large, but are kept in very neat order. The admiralty have a very large building here which is used as the residence of the marine commander in chief. From a belvidere of this house there is a fine view of the harbour and surrounding country. In the former, the frigate Amstel(12), corvette Pallas, brig De Gier(13), and transport-ship Zeemeeuw(14) rode at anchor, the two latter bound to the Mediterranean. In the dockyard we remarked a very large mast-crane, which may be seen for at sea, and serves mariners as a landmark. There is also a light-house upon one of the two dams which secure the harbour, also built two years ago. [From the llth to the 25th of April, contrary winds detained the corvette at Hellevoetsluis, during which time an excursion was made to Goedereede, Stellendam, &c. After various changes of winds, and a storm while lying at anchor, nothing of interest

p. 12: occurred until four P. M. of the 25th, when the ship weighed anchor and stood out to sea].

Fair wind and good weather continued until the forenoon of the 27th. About four o’clock we saw the English coast…”

Sources

Archive Admiraliteitscolleges XLVII aanwinsten voor 1888, 1586-1814 no. 17 (The National Archive at The Hague).

Archive of naval yard at Hellevoetsluis no. 507 (The National Archive at The Hague).

Archive Departement van Marine 1795-1813 Aanhangsel II no. 7 (The National Archive at The Hague).

Archive Departement van Marine na 1813 no. 55 (The National Archive at The Hague).

Archief Marine Etablissement Vlissingen no. 1 en 863 (Het Zeeuws Archief).

www.dbnl.nl for biography A.E. Tromp.

M. Stuart. Jaarboeken van het Koningrijk der Nederlanden. 1820.

‘Schepen op de admiraliteitswerf gebouwd’, Rotterdamsch Jaarboekje, reeks 01, jaargang 07, 1900.

J.R. Bruijn, H.J. den Heijer and H. Stapelkamp. Julius Constantijn Rijk. Zeeman en minister 1787-1854.

G. van Lennep Coster. Herinneringen mijner reizen naar onderscheidene werelddeelen. Vol II. Amsterdam, 1836.

W.J.L. Poelmans. Nieuwsberichten, Rotterdams Jaarboekje reeks 02, jaargang 1, 1913.

Bernhard, duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach. Travels trough North America during the years 1825 and 1826. 2 Vols. Philadelphia, 1828.

A.J. Vermeulen. De schepen van de Koninklijke Marine en die der Gouvernementsmarine 1814-1962.

Notes

1. The commanding officer was Captain Lieutenant Julius Constantijn Rijk, born 14 January 1787 in Wetzlar, Hessen, Germany and died 2 May 1854. He commanded for instance the ship of the line De Zeeuw, with which ship he visited Russia. He commanded the Royal Navy Institute at Medemblik, Governor General in the Dutch West Indies and finally became minister van Marine. In his house broke 8 January 1844 the fire out, which proved so disastrous for the Dutch naval history when a larger part of the archives were lost. Rijk was important for the Royal Dutch Navy in a period she transformed from a sail to a steam navy. In the biography mentioned under the sources is our Duke also mentioned. He was a general-major in the Dutch army. The Pallas was commissioned 16 January 1825. Dutch naval officers including Rijk himself visited 5 American navy yards and there is report published. Sadly the report is at the moment not available. For the above mentioned visit to Russia see on this weblog “The Dutch ship-of-the-line Zeeuw part of Russian fleet when she visited Kronstadt July 1834”, 14-9-2009.

2. According Vermeulen the Pallas (I) was a training corvette, on stocks at Rotterdam, Netherlands November 1822, launched 1824. She departed 26 April 1825 Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands and sailed via England towards the United States to prepare young officers and midshipmen for the steam shipping, returning 6 December in the Netherlands. She served also in the West Indies. Not mentioned on the naval list of 1 October 1837. The reason why she didn’t appear any longer, can be find in the journal of the naval dockyard at Hellevoetsluis, the same described by the Duke. She was placed in the dry of fore dock 17 July 1837, but find after inspection not worth to be repaired. 1 September she left the dock. After removing the copper layers and other useful material she was public sold for fl. 5000. She was built by P.Glavimans at the naval yard at Rotterdam, armed with 20 guns and dimensions 34 x 9,7m.

3. See the several notes on this weblog.

4. August Elise Tromp )12 March 1801-10 June 1871) was a navy deputy constructor, the first shipbuilding engineer educated by Glavimans. He was in his career for instance responsible for the dockyards at Flushing and Willemsoord, the latter better known as Den Helder. His son Frederik Cornelis was in 1887-1888 Minister van Marine.

5. Called Rijn and Rhijn. Ex-La Vestale. On stocks at naval yard at Rotterdam March 1813, renamed Rijn 1814, launched by P. Glavimans 5 October 1816. Transferred by Treaty in 1814 to the Netherlands. Commissioned at Hellevoetsluis 1 December 1819. Dimensions 53,25 x 12,3 x 5,75 m. Displacement 2485 tons. Armed with 54 guns. Coppered in the dry dock by deputy constructor A. Bakker at the naval yard at Hellevoetsluis 2-24 January 1818. By Royal order dated 22 July 1825 no. 110 destined to be rebuilt as steamship In 1828 was she lengthened at the naval yard at Flushing with 23m. For this purpose her hull was sawed into two parts. Due to difficulties with placing the engines and paddles made by Cockerill, Seraing, Belgium, rebuilding stopped. At Amsterdam rebuilt as a 54-gun frigate while sawing her again into two parts and removing 16,7m. Decommissioned 1 April 1851, since 1852 guardship at Hellevoetsluis, later at Willemsoord (1854), but replaced in 1856 by the Kortenaer because she was to small and inconvenient. Stricken 1874.

6. On stocks as frigate by P. Glavimans jr at naval yard at Rotterdam June 1804, launched December 1805, coppered 1807, originally renamed Diana. Since 1828 until 30 April 1841 guard ship at Nieuwediep (=Willemsoord) and there broken up. Dimensions 145 x 40 x 15, draught with masts, bowsprit etc. fore 11’7½”, aft 13’9½”, figurehead was a complete female figure with left shoulder dressed with a scarf, long petticoat with bonnet and jacket.

7. The Schelde. Ex-Fidele. On stocks by P. Glavimans at the naval yard at Rotterdam, renamed Schelde by order nr. 27 dated 24 July 1815, launched 22 November 1816. Dimensions 163 10/11 x 43 6/11 x 22 (Asmus) or 145 x 36’8”x 19 (Amsterdam foot according to article Schepen …). Displacement 1461 ton. Armed with 44 guns. Indicated as very fast sailer. Placed by deputy constructor A. Bakker in the dry dock at the naval yard at Hellevoetsluis 10 March 1819, where the hull was caulked and coppered. Left the dock 6 April 1819. Placed in the aft- or so-called carpenter dock 23 June 1835 for heavy repairs. Again coppered and caulked at the naval yard in the aft dock 12 June-7 August 1835. Since 1 September 1842 guard ship at Hellevoetsluis. Between 13-29 March 1843 placed in the keel dock at the naval yard at Hellevoetsluis for inspection. According to the dockyard journal of Hellevoetsluis 6 June 1853 as wreck placed in the dry foredock at the naval yard and broken up; by civilians according to Vermeulen.

8. On stocks by P. Glavimans July 1818 (Vermeulen) or 15 April (Klaassen) at the naval yard at Rotterdam, launched 30 October 1822. Armed with 44 guns. Displacement 1460 ton. Dimensions 163 (waterline) x 42 x 22’7. Placed in the dry or keel dock at the naval yard at Hellevoetsluis 5 October-30 October 1827 and copper renewed. Placed in the dock 30 March-7 April 1831 to inspect the copper but found the stem in bad condition (timber was ‘vervuurd’). Between 17 May-2 August again on the dock and stem replaced. Made between 16 May-19 October 1835, while commanded by Captain P. Arriens, a voyage to the Atlantic Ocean. Between 22 June-5 August in the West Indies. Decommissioned 1 December 1841. Since 1 September 1842 as guardship at Flushing. Since 16 May 1850 accommodation ship at Flushing. Since 1 January 1854 not longer mentioned.

9. On stocks at the naval yard at Amsterdam March 1810, launched May 1811, 44 guns, coppered 1812. Built after the design of the French Justice. Departed 22 December 1814 with the squadron towards the Mediterranean but was forced to anchor off Plymouth when she lost her masts in a heavy storm, continued her voyage 16 June 1815. Was again heavy damaged in a storm 3 November 1815 after a inspection found unsuitable for service and sent to Gibraltar. After some repairs sent homewards, condemned 1816 and sold at Hellevoetsluis for fl. 8.500. She capsized when she left the harbour. Dimensions 163 10/11 x 43 6/11 x 22. Crew numbered 320 men.

10. Ordered by orders dated 4 March no. 18 and 10 April 1816 no. 3. 31 December 1816 building for 1/20 completed. By order dated 28 December 1816 no. 3 named Java. 31 December 1817 building for 3/20 completed. By order dated 21 May 1818 no. 15 under a roof placed. This was the first time for a ship of the Royal Dutch navy. 31 December 1818 building for 4/20 completed and 31 December 1819 for 12/20. After launching placed in conservation below a false roof. 31 December 1820 building completed for 18/20/ Left Rotterdam 3 August 1821 Rotterdam and arrived at the naval yard at Hellevoetsluis 13 August. In 1822-1825 at Hellevoetsluis in conservation. By order dated 19 April 1826 no. 15 placed in the dry dock at Hellevoetsluis to be coppered and fitted out with masts. In the period 15 April-10 May. She was to be armed with 28-18pdr, 18-24pdr carronades and 2-12pdr. Old construction with flat stern. Builder was P. Glavimans jr. On stocks at the naval yard at Rotterdam 14 December 1816, launched 23 August 1820 in presence of the Minister of Navy vice admiral Van Braam, rear admiral May, the burgomaster and a large amount of officers. Dimensions 145 x 36’8”x 9 French feet. Armed with 44 guns. Renamed by Royal decision dated 16 March no. 14 and order of Minister of Navy 20 March 1828 no. 1 Sumatra. She served at Antwerp during the revolt of the Southern Netherlands in which Belgium became an independent kingdom. She struck an obstacle and sunk immediately. Order dated 16 October 1830 no. 67 announced that she was sold for fl. 9870,- at Antwerp to be broken up.

11. Havik. Also called an advice yacht. dimensions 75 (prow) x 22 1/11 x 12. Armed 6-8 (1814) guns. Her crew numbered in 1814 40 men. Commanding officer in 1814 Captain Lieutenant P. Toussaint. Made a voyage to the Mediterranean 1814-1816. Departed for the Mediterranean 22 November 1814 but was forced by a heavy storm to anchor at Plymouth after throwing her guns over board. Departed 16 June 1815 to her destination. In 1817 transferred to the Marine Instituut at Delft for practical voyages at the North Sea. Sold at Hellevoetsluis 1828. On stocks by P. Glavimans jr April 1806 at the naval yard at Rotterdam, launched 8 May 1807. Coppered 1807 and 1814.

12. On stocks as frigate l’Amstel by P. Glavimans at naval yard at Rotterdam 1812, launched October 1814 (according to Vermeulen) 13 September 1814 in presence of the queen and the princesses of Oranje and Brunswijk (according to Poelman volume 02), 1460 tons displacement. Added conform the Treaty of 1814 to Dutch navy, coppered 1816 and 1822, dimensions 145 x 36’8”x 19 (French feet), draught with masts, bowsprit etc fore 11¼, aft 17’0”, height copper fore 20’4”, aft 22’5”, 187-350 men, since 1841 guard ship at Hellevoetsluis and there sold and broken up.

13. According to Vermeulen and the inventory of the naval archives a so-called 8-gun aviso brig or aviso vessel. On stocks by P. Glavimans at naval yard at Rotterdam September 1816, launched January 1818, coppered 1818, dimensions 80 x 25 x 12’8” (Amsterdam feet), condemned at Hellevoetsluis 1845 and sold to be broken up 19 March. 16 July 1844 for repairs placed in aft dock at Hellevoetsluis, 4 January 1845 out.

14. Vermeulen mentioned that she was launched 1823, made several voyages from Hellevoetsluis towards the Mediterranean and the West Indies, but was not longer mentioned on the Naval list of 1 April 1835. Her commanding officer in 1825 was Lieutenant 1st class W.J. Webb Volmer and in 1829 Lieutenant 1st class J. Berkhout Molenaar. In the dockyard at Hellevoetsluis 6 March-13 March 1826 for repairs, aft end of the dummy keel disappeared over a length of 50 feet, repaired. 21 March again in the dry dock while she was leaking, repaired and left the 24th the dock. 23 February 1829 in dock, copper skin in quite worse condition, of the worst copper blades were 305 replaced; option was to replace the others in 1830. Prow partly widened and galleon fitted. Van Lennep Coster described her when he went on board of the ship 16 February 1825 at Hellevoetsluis. She was a just a standard merchant ship, a so-called pinkschip, armed with 6-12pdr carronades and with a capacity to load 200 roggelasten. Her crew numbered 26 men.