Russian warships visiting Sabang, Dutch East Indies in 1906

Rossija

Gromoboi

Hr.Ms.Holland

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1905-1906 reported that the Russian armoured cruisers Gromoboi (1) and Bogatyr (2) visited Sabang, Dutch East Indies on 7 January 1906 and the Rossija (3) on 13 January 1906. The Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated Monday 22 January reported the arrival in the early morning of 7th January at Sabang by the Gromoboi, Rossia and Bogatyr which were expected. They anchored in the Sabangbaai to celebrate Christmas on the 7 and 8 January with the use of a electrically illuminated tree. Sailors of the Dutch protected cruiser Hr.Ms. Holland(4) were invited to attend the feast. The admirals ship Gromoboi and Bogatyr arrived on the 10th at the quay for bunkering coal. The 14th departed the Russian cruisers via Colombo, Ceylon home. Totally was around 5.000 ton coal bunkered which went quite fast due to the electric elevators. The Gromoboi and Rossija were described as armoured cruisers with a displacement of 12.000 tons and while nice white painted supplied a beautiful sight in the bay. At 08.00 o’clock was the flag hoisted with the chapel playing the Russian national hymn following by the Dutch hymn and at sunset was the flag lowered. Daily was 2.300 kilo bread and large amounts of flesh, vegetables and other victuals delivered. Discipline among the crew was secured and orders well and fast executed. As precaution was the garrison strengthened by a company of 150 Ambonese military. The Sumatra Post dated 23 January 1906 reported the arrival of all 3 ships on 7 January coming from Singapore leaving on 14 January for Colombo, Ceylon loading water and coal: Gromoboi 1,200 ton Cardiff coal, the Bogatyr 834 ton Cardiff coal and the Rossia 1,470 ton Cardif coal.

Notes

1. Armoured cruiser preceded by the Rossia and succeeded by the Bayan-class. Laid down at Baltic Works, St. Petersburg, Russia on 14 June 1897, launched on 8 May 1899, commissioned in November 1899 and sold to be broken up on 1 July 1922.

2. Part of Bogatyr-clas protected cruisers, preceded by Askold succeeded by Novik, laid down by Vulcan Stettin, Germany with yard number 247 on 22 December 1899, launched on 30 July 1901, commissioned on 20 August 1902, decommissioned in 1918 and broken up in 1922.

3. Armoured cruiser preceded by Rurik succeeded by Gromoboi, laid down by Baltic Works, St. Petersburg, Russia in October 1893, launched on 30 Apil 1896, commissioned in late 1896 and sold to be broken up on 1 July 1922.

4. Protected cruiser, laid down by Rijkswerf Amsterdam, Netherlands on 6 May 1895, launched on 4 October 1896, commissioned on 1 Jully 1898 and sold to be broken up in 1920.

5. Sabang, Dutch East Indies was an import coal bunker station for Dutch and foreign navies and merchant ships.