The German and Austrian navies according to Colburn’s United Service Magazine of September 1851

Ron van Maanen

Thanks to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are able to read books that are some times for decades no longer available for the public for several reasons. That’s quite a pity while these books contains useful information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor accessible.

P. 126: “The reform of the Austrian fleet is now achieved. The Danish Admiral Dahlerup, and several other foreign officers, mostly Danish, receive an honourable dismissal, on account of Austria's policy requiring that the command of her navy should be in the hands of Austrian subjects. A council of Admirals is to be formed, to be held at Trieste, and the former Governor of the coast lands appointed to preside over it, supported by experienced officers. The command is to remain exclusively Austrian, but the sailors from the shores of the German ocean are to be taken in preference to others ; all seamen in the Austrian marine are henceforth to go through a regular course of instruction. The fleet will consist of 10 frigates, 8 corvettes, 6 brigs, 12 steamers, and a suitable number of transport ships. An official report will shortly be presented to the Diet, and the request made that the collective German sea forces shall be placed under Central authority. The present emergency prevents Austria delaying the reform of her navy till this arrangement can be effected; it will be ready, however, to listen to and to carry out such alterations as the Confederation shall deem expedient. A new German flag is contemplated, in which the arms of Austria and of Prussia will be prominently displayed. A threefold squadron is also planned, with stations in the Baltic, the German ocean, and the Adriatic. The first to be supported by Prussia, the last-named by Austria, and the Squadron of the German Ocean to be defrayed by the other State of Germany.”

Source

Colburn’s United Service Magazine and Naval and Military Journal. Part III. London, 1851.