Zr. Ms. Koning der Nederlanden
This floating battery was stationed at Willemsoord and used for the training of the sea militia. In the meantime was the état-major continuous changed with officers temporarily placed on board after have being non-active. Later they were transferred to other ships, dismissed or became again non-active. The Neptunus was originally the 84-gun 3-decker ship of the line Neptunus laid down in 1821 at the navy yard of Flushing which in 1844 was renamed Koning der Nederlanden and after her conversion again renamed Neptunus and finally stricken in 1876. For a picture of the ship see next link http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/assetimage2.jsp?id=NG-MC-508 and for a picture of a part of the bow as floating battery http://www.europeana.eu/portal/record/90402/2080C0F5E3D75C0809BFE9AED10711C22A95765E.html
Edition dated 29 March 1859: an item reported that some brass parts of the pumps of the ship of the line Koning der Nederlanden were stolen,. She was at that moment dry docked at Flushing for her conversion into a floating battery. See fur this ship also the links on this weblog
Neptunus I, Neptunus II and
Edition dated Saturday 2 April 1859: an item reported that the intention was on Monday 4 April if the water level allowed it to undocked the ship of the line Koning der Nederlanden out of the dry dock. The conversion into a floating battery was in such advanced stadium that this became possible. The ship was to be brought to a shoal, the water pumped out of the dock (?) and the next step was to remove the connections between the upper and lower parts of the ship. It was the intention that the flood split both parts allowing the upper part which was the floating battery to floating away while the lower part was filled with water and stay behind.
Edition dated 4 June 1859: an item reported that on 1 June the breaking up of the lower part of the former Koning der Nederland was offered for ƒ553 to N.J. Lust.
Edition dated 7 July 1859: an item reported that a day earlier a thief was brought from Flushing to the prison in Middelburg. He was occupied at the breaking up of the lower part of the former ship of the line Koningin der Nederlanden when during an inspection a piece of a brass bolt in his possession was discovered. The result was that all labourers continuous were inspected.
Edition dated 7 July 1859: an item reported that a day earlier a thief was brought from Flushing to the prison in Middelburg. He was occupied at the breaking up of the lower part of the former ship of the line Koningin der Nederlanden when during an inspection a piece of a brass bolt in his possession was discovered. The result was that all labourers continuous were inspected.
Edition dated 6 September 1859: an item dated Flushing 3 September reported that the floating battery Neptunus was to be towed within short time by the Cycloop to the Nieuwediep.
Edition dated Saturday 17 September 1859: an item reported that the floating battery Neptunus was towed in the afternoon of Friday by the tug Union II out of the harbour to the roads where the Cycloop was waiting and which towed her to the Nieuwediep departing at 15.00 o’clock. Saturday morning were tidings received that both ships arrived at Texel .
Edition dated 17 November 1859: an item reported that the 16th the Zr.Ms. steamship Cycloop arrived at Flushing coming from Cherbourg
Edition dated 6 December 1859: an item dealing with the Royal Netherlands Navy reported that the decision not to built defence vessels by the navy shipyards permitted to supply more efforts to the building or completing of the larger ships including the conversion of the sailing frigate De Ruyter and three more ships into floating batteries. The block ships were to remain sailing vessels suitable to depart within a month to sea. The floating batteries were meant to defend the entrances to our trading places armed with 6 long 60 pdr guns fore and aft.
Edition dated 7 May 1861: an item reported that as a result of the Royal order dated the 2nd no. 53 the floating battery Neptunus lying at Willemsoord was to be commissioned with as commanding officer captain lieutenant W.A. de Gelder. Further more belonged to the état-major lieutenant 1st class J.B. Everwijn as first officer, lieutenants 2nd class P. Swaan and A.J. Cosijn, midshipmen 1st class jhr. C.G.J. Barnaart, officer of health officer 1st class W. Ruisch, officer of administration 1st class J.S. Spanjaard, deputy administrator W.C. Lenting and ship’s clerk W.E. Muller.
Edition dated 1 August 1861: coming from the accommodation ship De Lynx at Rotterdam
Edition dated 24 September 1861: according to a tiding dated Nieuwediep the 19th was the same morning the Zr.Ms. Neptunus towed by the Zr.Ms. Cycloop to the roads of Texel where she was lying for anchor. The intention was to begin within two days with gun exercises using a condemned gunboat which was to be towed to the Horst. After some days she was to return to the harbour and to be decommissioned. This latter was confirmed by the edition dated 10 October which reported that the officers belonging to her état-major were on non-activity since the 15th. The edition of two days earlier reported the internal problems with an extended administration caused by a to large number of shipyards. The result was lacking enough personnel which could be efficient divided over three instead of four yards. At that moment were the small capacity fragmented and when extra ordinary efforts were required was necessary work delayed. The commissioning of the Neptunus was a worse example of these problems which was quite delayed.
Edition dated 3 May 1862: she was to be commissioned on the 11th as a result of the royal order dated 26 April. The état-major consisted of captain lieutenant R.L. de Haes, lieutenants 1st class K.C. Bunnik and W.H.F. van Oordt, officer of haalth 3rd class J. Mijers and officer of administration 2nd class J.C.L.K. van Weij.
Edition dated 21 February 1863: an item paid attention to the discussions dealing with the increase of the naval budget for 1863 especially with the role of the armoured floating batteries in the Dutch defence. It depended where these batteries served in which manner they were armoured. Batteries which was lying anchored and could swing in every directions as a result of wind and current had to have an extended armour to prevent exposing an unarmoured side to the enemy. It would be a real improvement if these batteries were fitted out with steam power. Dealing with the Neptunus, Orkaan and Salamander were these batteries to be used or swallow waters with none of low current causing a swinging around so these ships exposed the always the same side to the enemy. Just bow and aft ship needed to be armoured when changing side. It was no problem to wait until 1864 to fit these batteries out with armour.
Edition dated 14 May 1863: an item reported that 300 men part of the sea militia were expected on board of the floating battery Neptunus to be trained for service in the navy. The edition dated 15 November reported that this training went well but theta the minister of navy also should order that these men were to be trained with sail frigates. At that moment there was a discussion going on in the Dutch Parliament about the value of armoured ships, floating batteries and the conversion of old ships into floating batteries. The newspaper Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode of two days later confirmed this item.
Edition dated 27 February 1864: officer of health 2nd class C.G. de Jong now non-commissioned was to serve since 1 March.
Edition dated 5 April 1864: lieutenant 1st class R.P. Struick was transferred from the Neptunus to the Heldin since 16 March and replaced by non-active lieutenant 1st class jhr. W.F. van Spengler. Since 26 March were the lieutenants 1st class K.C. Bunnik and W.H.F. van Oordt transferred to the Zr.Ms. Heldin and replaced by the non-active lieutenants 1st class C.T. Hackstroh and J.K.L. Gey van Pittius.
Edition dated 28 April 1864: reported that lieutenant of health 2nd class C.G. de Jong was honorary dismissed due to his worse physical condition.
Edition dated 24 May 1864: was Hackstroh non active effective on 31 May and replaced 1 June effective by non-active lieutenant 1st class C.A.B.D. Rijk.
Edition dated 11 June 1864: officer of administration 2nd class J.C.L.K. van Welij non-active since 30 June, on 1 July was he to be replaced by officer of administration 2nd class H.F.X. Strengnaerts coming from screw steamship Zr.Ms. Prinses Maria.
Some months later was a men killed during exercises. The newspaper Goessche Copurant dated 8 August reported that a day earlier sailors were doping shooting exercises using a floating target in the Nieuwediep when a fishermen of Urk passed despite several warnings. The helper of the fisherman was hit in his cervix and killed. The Zierikzeesche Courant dated 15 October referred to tidings from the Nieuwediep dated 10 October that on the 15th 122 men of the sea militia were sent with leave. The newspaper Vlissings weekblad dated 31 December reported that the commanding officer of the Neptunus captain lieutenant L.R. de Haes was to be decommissioned and transferred as equipagemaster to the Dutch East Indies . The journalist said that the officer of a lower rank would miss their commandig officer or his real humanity lacking any touch of pride. He was respected and loved by anyone. The sea militia would miss him even more. Despite wanting strict discipline was he every year again very patient with the newcomers and if necessary taking care of their private interests. His intention was that returning home members of the militia had nothing to complain over during their stay on board of the Neptunus.
Edition dated 28 March 1865: officer of administration 2nd class H.F.X. Strengnaerts non-active since 30 April and replaced by non-active officer of administration 2nd class P.A. le Mahieu on 1 May.
Edition dated 1 April 1865: reported that her commanding officer De Haes was honorary relieved of his command and now non-active and replaced on 1 May by non-active captain lieutenant J.E. Buys. Since 1 May was non-active officer of health 2nd class W.T. Meyboom.
Edition dated 23 May 1865: reported that the ship’s clerk J.L. Kroeze was transferred to the transport Zr.Ms. Heldin since 1 June. He was replaced on the Neptunus by A. de Leef coming from the guard ship at Willemsoord.
Edition dated 4 June 1865: was since 11 June non-active deputy administrator W.F.G.L. Faubel.
Edition dated 13 July 1865: reported that lieutenant 1st class C.A.B.D. Rijk was non-active since 30 July and replaced on 1 August by non-active lieutenant 1st class jhr. J.C.J. Clifford Kocq van Breugel.
Edition dated 30 July 1865: In the afternoon of 29 July arrived at Flushing the steamship Zr.M. Cycloop with on board 50 men to serve on board of the Neptunus which ship was soon to be commissioned.
Edition dated 24 August 1865: officer of health 2nd class F.J.C. Broers since 1 September.
Edition dated 29 August 1865: ship’s clerk W.H. Klaassen since 1 September.
Edition dated 16 September 1865: lieutenant 1st class D. Schuurman since 1 October.
Edition dated 21 September 1865: lieutenant 1st class H.A. Ridder van Rappard since 16 October.
Edition dated 11 March 1866: officer of health 2nd class N.C. Slegt since 16 March.
Edition dated 21 April 1866: lieutenant 1st class jhr. A.J. van Geen since 1 May.
Edition dated 4 September 1866: ships’ clerk J.P. van Goethem since 16 September.
Edition dated 2 May 1867: lieutenants 2nd class J.P. Hovy, J. Vriemoet Drabbe, W.J. van Hoogenhuyze and P. Lycklama à Nyeholt.
Edition dated 16 May 1867: lieutenant 1st class N. Mac Leod since 1 June.
Edition dated 26 September 1867: lieutenant 2nd class J. Vriemoet Drabbe non active since 30 September en replaced since 1 October by lieutenant 2nd class E.J. Hoos.
Edition dated 1 October 1867: lieutenant 2nd class P. Lycklama à Nyeholt not transferred to the Zr.Ms. Java but non active since 1 October.
Edition dated 26 November 1867: officer of health 2nd class A.M. Grondhoud since 1 December.
Edition dated 9 February 1868: During ¾ of the year were 600 militia placed on board.
Edition dated 29 February 1868: lieutenants 2nd class J.J. Le Fèvre de Montigny, jhr. S.F.T. de Vaynes van Brakell and W.J. van Hogenhuyze and adjunct administrator A.M. Montijn since 16 March.
Edition dated 17 March 1868: officer of administration 1st class P.A. le Mahieu non actice since 30 April and replaced since 1 May by officer of administration 2nd clas J.C.L.K. van Welij.
21 March 1868: as a result of royal order dated 16 March captain-lieutenant J.E. Buys honorary dismissed and replaced since 1 May by captain lieutenant G. van Hecking Colenbrander.
Edition dated 30 April 1868: lieutenant 1st class D.G.E. Wolterbeek Muller since 10 May non active and replaced since 11 May by lieutenant 1st class P.J. van Druynen.
Edition dated 20 June 1868: lieutenant 2nd class C.A. Woldringh since 21 June.
Edition dated 23 July 1868: officer of health 3rd class F.M. Cowan since 1 August.
Edition dated 8 August 1868: lieutenant 2nd class W.O. Böhtlingk since 16 August.
Edition dated 23 August 1868: lieutenant 1st class N. Mac Leod non active since 31 August and replaced by lieutenant 1st class G.C.C. Thierens.
Edition dated 6 September 1868: ships’ clerk J. de Visser since 16 September.
Edition dated 16 January 1869: lieutenant 1st class Le Fèvre de Montigny non active since 20 January and replaced by lieutenant 2nd class A.J. Willekens.
Edition dated 7 February 1869: adjunct administrator F.H.A. Pool since 25 February.
Edition dated 3 March 1869: lieutenant 2nd class C.A. Woldringh since 1 June transferred to the guard ship at Willemsoord and replaced by lieutenant 2nd class W.C.P.E. de Klopper.
Edition dated 15 June 1869: adjunct administrator F.H.A. Pool since 30 June non active and replaced 1 July by adjunct administrator E. Fabius .
Edition dated 16 August 1869: lieutenant 2nd class W.C. Böhtlingk non active since 1 September and replaced by lieutenant 1st class A. van Linden van den Heuvell.
Edition dated 31 August 1869: adjunct administrator P. Gallas since 11 September
1 September 1869: ships’ clerk F.H. Verheggen since 16 September.
Edition dated 8 February 1870: officer of health 2nd class L.F. Praeger since 11 February.
Edition dated 20 April 1870: lieutenant 2nd class A. van Linden van Heuvell non active since 30 April and since 16 May to assist captain A.R. Blommendal, chief survey service Dutch sea gates.
Edition dated 26 May 1870: commanding officer captain lieutenant J.J. Boelen appointed as deputy member of the commission to examine the midshipmen 2nd class for their final exam at the Koninklijk Instituut voor de marine at Willemsoord.
Edition dated 16 November 1870: officer of health 1st class L.F. Praeger non active since?
Edition dated 26 December 1870: ships’ clerk G.A. Zeegers since 2 January [1871].
Edition dated 21 April 1871: lieutenants 2nd class G.W.L. Diemont van Langerak, W.C.P.E. de Klopper and H. Vreedenberg non active since 30 April.
Edition dated 21 April 1871: lieutenant 2nd class P.G. Bruch transferred to the Zr.Ms. Schorpioen since 1 May.
Edition dated 7 December 1872: the minister of navy again stated that she was to be decommissioned. Earlier he said that during the introduction of his first budget.
The Zierikzeesche Courant dated 28 September 1870 reported that she was to be decommissioned when the sea militia of 1869 and 1870 were dismissed and that she probably was replaced by the guard ship.
