Siamese gunboat Meklong visited the Dutch East Indies in 1940

The Dutch newspaper Algemeen Handelsblad dated 8 May 1940 reported that the Siamese training ship Maeklong intended to visit Surabaya, Semarang, Batavia and Palembang, Dutch East Indies during May. The newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 9^th supplied more details referring to an official announcement. Commanded by a commander would she visit Surabaya between 10-14 May, Semarang between 15-17 May, Batavia between 18-22 May and finally Palembang between 23-26 May. The newspaper Soerabaijasch handelsblad dated 11th reported her arrival yesterday morning around 11.00 o’clock at Surabaya start point of her voyage in the Dutch East Indies. Some hours later it became known that war broke out between the Netherlands and Germany and the whole program at Surabaya was cancelled except for the official visits of her commanding officer to the Dutch authorities. The edition a day earlier spoke of an arrival at 11.30 o’clock at the north side of the Holland quay some hours too late resulting in a decision to wait a day with the official visits. Her commanding officer was commander Luang Janjayasuk. The Maeklong was described as a gunboat built in Japan and commissioned in 1936 measuring 1.500 ton and a length of 85 metres. Armed with 4-12cm/4.7” guns, 4 torpedo tubes and 2 anti aircraft guns and a catapult for a seaplane.(1)

Note

1. Or Meklong, laid down by Uraga, Yokosuka, Japan in 1936, launched on 27 November 1937 , completed on June 1937, modernized 1950s, training ship since 1976 and finally stricken in March 1995 and since then museum ship at Samutprakan. Displacement 1.400 (standard)-2.000 (full load) and as dimensions 82 x 10,4 x 3,14 metres. Crew numbered 155 men including midshipmen. Armament was 4x1-12cm cal 45 guns, 2x1-2cm cal 65 Breda 1939 guns, 2x3-7,7mm machineguns and 2-45cm torpedo tubes. Of the Tachin-class sloops with as sister ship the Tachin.