French cruiser Descartes visited the Dutch East Indies in 1904

Source

An item reported that the French cruiser 3rd class Descartes accompanied by 1 destroyer and 5 torpedo boats visited Sabang, Dutch East Indies between 9-16 December 1904

Note
1. Of the Descartes-class protected cruisers consisting of the Descartes and Pallas, preceded by the Friant-class and succeeded by the D’Assass-class. Laid down by Chantiers de la Loire, France in August 1892, launched in September 1894, commissioned in July 1896 and decommissioned in 1920.

The Dutch newspaper Arnhemsche courant dated 15 December 1904 reported that she with 4 torpedo boats was lying at Poeloe Wai, Dutch East Indies. The Dutch newspaper Soerabaijasch nieuwsblad dated 20 December referred to the Strait Times that a French squadron was lying at Singapore consisting of the Descartes, the destroyers Le Sabre and La Francisque and 6 torpedo boats. Via Bombay, British Indies came the squadron from Colombo, Ceylon. The Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 27 December 1904 reported that on Friday 9th around five o’clock a French squadron coming from Colombo arrived in the Sabangbaai consisting of the cruiser Descartes commanding officer Amet, the destroyer Sabre and the torpedo boats No. ‘s 246, 247, 248, 249 and 254. The next day arrived the cruiser Pascal towing the torpedo boat No. 45 and the destroyer Francisque. The No. 245 undergone repairs at Sabamg just like small repairs of the engines of the Descartes by the Sabangmaatschappij. The Pascal returned the 11th towards Colombo destined for Europe. The remaining ships bunkered coal and water departing on Friday the 16th towards Saigon.

Source
Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1904-1905