The dreared disaster with the Dutch government ship Paramaribo according to the Dutch newspaper Vlissingse Courant dated 12 October 1896

An item reported that according to a telegram from the press association Reuter dated San Sebastian 9 October the newly build Dutch warship Paramaribo was wrecked of the Northern Spanish coast with the latest tidings coming from Cape Finisterre.(1) She was a government transport which left IJmuiden on 26 September and passed Prawlepoint on 28 September.

The newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 13 October reported that the tidings of her loss were not true and she arrived safely at Madeira on 3 October. She was a transport build for the government to be used in the West Indies.

The newspaper Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode dated 13 October first reported her loss with the entire crew. Later she said that the loss was not confirmed by the Dutch government. There were some wrecks and a piece of a ships’ trap found although the colour was not reported. The Paramaribo was complete white painted. With a crew of 20 men was she departed towards the West Indies companied by A. Juda chief of the pilotage in Surinam while the flag of a warship was hoisted.

Note

1. The newspaper De Amsterdammer dated 11 October 1896 reported that she was launched in July at the shipyard of Goedkoop at Amsterdam for the department of colonies. When she left IJmuiden on 26 September she was commanded by Juta who was inspector for the government ships in the West Indies and which was returning from his leave. She passes Prawle Point on the 28^th and was to visit Madura to load coal. The latter wasn’t really necessary while her ballast consisted of briquettes. On board were four families and with the crew and officers were totally forty people on board. Before she left IJmuiden said Juta to be very content with the ship. The newspaper Rotterdams Nieuwsblad dated 13 October confirmed her good seaworthiness.