The former Dutch vice-admiral Burghard (1) reported to
the Dutch firm N.V. Nederlandsche
Vereenigde Scheepsbouw Bureaux (NEVESBU)about his visit to Ciudad
Trujillo, Dominican Republic between 27 December 1958 and 9 January 1959.(2)
Although the bid of NEVESBU with interest was received by the authorities, was
none order for new building given. The problems in Cuba
forced the Dominical
Republic to acquire as
soon as possible three second hand patrol vessels en to fit out their aged
patrol vessels with new engines. NEVESBU supplied on 24 January a bid for the
building of six ships, three second hand ships and engines of three aged ships.
The Royal Netherlands Navy was willing to sell the Batjan (3), Boeroe (4) en
Ceram (5) to the Dominican Republic is replacement by new building was allowed.(3)
Those three vessels were examined and the conclusion was that they were in a
good condition of maintenance. On 2 February was a bid sent for project 219
consisting of 4-1450hp engines for each ship. Nine days later was again an
artist impression of the patrol vessel sent. Burghard visited again Ciudad Trujillo between 30 January and 5 February and
spoke there admiral Admiral Facundo Esteva and staff members. The Dutch bid was
considered to be the cheapest and the best. The Dutch department for economic
affairs pointed out that paying with products with coffee, cacao, sugar and so
on by the Dominican Republic
was somehow problematic. Payment in dollars was however none problem.
In March however it became clear that the Dominican Republic
no longer was interested in the Dutch bid. All available (financial) resources
were to be used for strengthening/fitting out of the army. Apparently the navy
was of secondary interest. The Dutch firm Mantel en Korting was informed that
the sale of the frigate Batjan was no longer restricted. On 24 June however was
again a meeting with the representative of the Dominican Republic to which a new
bid for 3-550 tons with 4 engines (project number 2128) included an artist
impression was supplied. On 16 July was after an discussion with the Kon.Mij.
De Schelde a bid sent for 3 patrol vessels fitted out with 2 diesel engines
(project 2127). Strangely enough was the delivery time for project 217 three
months longer.
Notes
1. François Theodor Burghard (Surabaya, Indonesia 15
April 1900-San Pedro, Marbella, Spain 28 June 1978), out of service in the rank
as vice admiral on 1 November 1956. Between 1952-1956 commandant der zeemacht
in Nederland (commanding officer of the navy in
the Netherlands)
2.
Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij
(RDM) at Rotterdam, Kon.Mij. De Schelde (K.M.S.) at Vlissingen, Nederlandsche
Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij (N.D.S.M.) at Amsterdam, Wilton-Fijenoord at Schiedam
and Werkspoor N.V. at Amsterdam.
3. The former Australian fleet minesweeper/corvette
Lismore, laid down at the Mort’s Dock&Engineering Company Limited, Sydney, Australia
on 1 March 1940, launched on 10 August 1940 and commissioned in the Royal Netherlands
Navy on 3 July 1946. Mentioned as minesweeper, corvette, patrol vessel,
minesweeper, frigate and finally accommodation ship after she was
decommissioned on 15 July 1957.
4. The former Australian fleet minesweeper/corvette Toowoomba,
laid down by Walkers Limited, Maryborough,
Queensland on 6 August 1940,
launched on 26 March 1941 and commissioned in the Royal Netherlands Navy on 5
July 1946. Mentioned as minesweeper and frigate, used fro patrol duties in Dutch East Indies and Dutch New Guinea and stricken on 15
July 1957 becoming an accommodation ship after she was stricken on 15 July
1957.
5. The former Australian fleet minesweeper/corvette Burnie,
laid down at the Mort’s Dock&Engineering Company Limited, Sydney, Australia
on 4 June 1940, launched on 25 October 1940 and commissioned in the Royal
Netherlands Navy on 5 July 1946. Mentioned as minesweeper, corvette, patrol
vessel, minesweeper, frigate and finally accommodation ship after she was
stricken on 15 July 1957.
Source
Archive Kon.Mij. De Schelde
(Municipality Archive of Vlissingen, Netherlands) inventory number 214.1703.
