An item reported that the German cruiser SMS Arcona (1) visited Makasser, Dutch East Indies(2) between 19-28 December 1908 and 1-4 January 1909.(3)
Notes
1. Of the Gazelle-class light cruisers, laid down by AG Weser, Bremen, Germany in 1901, launched on 22 April 1902, commissioned on 12 May 1903, stricken on 15 January 1930, converted into an anti-aircraft battery commissioned in May 1940, scuttled on 3 May 1945 and broken up in 1948.
2. The Dutch newspaper Soerabaijasch handelblad dated 29 December 1908 reported the arrival some day earlier at Macasar of the German cruiser 4th class SMS Arcona coming from the Philippines with the intention to celebrate the holidays. Another Dutch newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 7 January 1909 reported her departure towards Mendao after first embarking the three deserters arrested at Surabaya and transported with the steamship Mossel towards Makassar. The reporter found the sociable relations between the German crew and the Dutch garrison remarkable with inviting each other for feasts in the evenings. Further more he added that there were many German good musicians plying on the piano.
3. Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1908-1909
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