An item reported that the aged Dutch ram Stier was being converted into a target ship for air attacks. Used as an ammunition store ship was she berthed at the end of the outer harbour at Nieuwediep, Netherlands. The old uncoloured and neglected hull was now ‘closed’ for use as target ship. The intention was to anchor at the north side of a shoal between the Malzwin and the Texel current, the so-called Bollen to prevent any danger for shipping is she would sink. The De Telegraaf dated 16 February reported that she was decommissioned for a long time but during the mobilisation as ammunition ship again taken in service.(1)
Note
1. Call sign GQVL, on stocks at Brothers Laird, Birkenhead, England 7 June 1867, launched 9 April 1868. Trial 18 August 1868. Commissioned 18 August 1869. Dimensions 59.43 x 11.58 x 4.87m, displacement 2112 tons, speed 12.46 knots, 2257 ihp. Armed with 2-23cm guns, 1882 rearmed with 1-28cm guns and 7-3.7cm guns. Armour belt 76-152mm, gun turrets 203-280mm, command turret 114mm, deck 19-25mm. Crew original 110, later 137 men. Fitted out with 2 engines, each with two cylinders and 4 boilers. Building costs ƒ 1.136.470. Destined for service in Dutch coastal waters and made never trips to foreign countries. In 1882 large repairs at the naval yard at Amsterdam. In 1908 disarmed and laid up. Seven years later in service as magazine at the naval yard at Willemsoord [Den Helder]. In 1925 used as target for bombs dropped by aeroplanes. August-September 1930 partly dismantled by navy divers with explosives.
