An item dealing with the budged discussions in the Dutch Parliament for 1866 reported that the building costs of the iron ram turret now being built at Birkenhead, England were estimated to be ƒ 1.600.000 meaning an overrun of the budget with ƒ 600.000. The parliament made clear that in her opinion the minister was not allowed to this overrun but should have asked permission before awarding the tender. Secondly wondered the parliament what caused this overrun. Was this perhaps caused by alterations while in 1864 the vessel was called a steam ram and now a ram turret. Another question was which tasks had the vessel to carry out in the (near) future. The newspaper Rotterdamsche courant dated 20th October added that ship and armament were heavy but a steam machine of just 400 hp would limit the speed seriously. The journalist wondered if she was to be just used for the inland defence (along the Dutch coastline] or also so on open sea.(1)
Note
1. Ram turret, call sign GQRS, laid down at Laird, Birkenhead, England 1865 and launched 9 October 1866. Dimensions 70,14 x 13,32 x 5,70 metres and a displacement of 3.375 tons. Her 2 engines and 4 boilers delivered 2.426 ihp which made with 2 screws a speed of 12,09 miles possible. Also fitted out with 3 masts and a sail area of 1.554m2, but sailed worse. Armed with 4-23cm rifled guns and 4-12cm guns. Armour sides was 115mm. Her crew numbered 230 men. In 1901 transferred to the Department of Colonies. In 1905 given back and used as ammunition ship.
