Iranian Forward Base Ship Makran 441(ex-Al Buhaira 2009-2013, Beta 2013-2020) 2021-2026

Off the lighthouse of Røsnæ in 2021 bound for naval exercises at St. Petersburg, Russia

IMO 9486910, MMSI 636014395 and call sign A8TO5. Launched by Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd., Yokosuka, Japan with yard number 1354 as the Dubai-based Al Buhaira International Shipping Inc. owned, Liberia-flagged, homeport Monrovia crude oil tanker Al Buhaira on 10 September 2009, completed on 8 March 2010, later owned by Ionian Shipping Management LLC, Fujairah, renamed Beta in 2013, rebuilt by ISOICO shipyard at Bandar Abbas, Iran, refloated in November 2020, seatrials between 9-14 December 2020, commissioned in the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy on 13 January 2021 and destroyed in the 2026 Iran conflict on 2 March 2026. Fitted out wih a helicopter pad, platforms for VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles and carried 6-7 helicopters with her. Endurance 1,000 days. Full load displacement 121,000 metric tons and as dimensions 230.13 x 42.03 x 21.5 (height) metres or 755.0 x 137.11 x 70.6 feet. 

Turkish frigate TCG Oruçreis F 245 1992-

Rotterdam, Netherlands 28 February 2020

Turkey-flagged, MMSI 271035023 and call sign TBJY. Laid down on 23 July 19922 by Gölcük Naval Shipyard, launched on 28 July 1994 and commissioned on 10 May 1996 or 23 May 1997. Part of Barbaros-class preceded by Yavuz-class succeeded by Istanbul-class. MEKO 200TN type. 

German naval aircraft bombed the Polish city Gdynia and the Hela Peninsula according to a report of of the American Naval Attaché at Berli, Germany Nr. R562 dated 15 September 1939

Diary note dated Friday 1 September 1939. An item reported that German naval aircraft bombed the Polish city Gdynia and the Hela Peninsula.(1)

Note

1. The Peninsula had great military importance being part of the Polish Corridor and was by the Polish converted into a fortified region. After Germany captured Hela or Hell the defence was further increased .

Source

National Archives. FDR Presidential Library&Museum Roosevelt PSFC000175. War diary Naval Attaché Berlin, volume 1 (1 September 1939-26 May 1940)

Japanese cargo ship Hirokawa Maru 1939-1942

Kamikawa Maru original appareance. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of the Kamikawa Maru-class consisting of the Kamikaze Maru, Kiyokawa Maru, Kimikawa Maru, Kunikawa Maru and Hirokawa Maru. Owner in 1939 Kawasaki Line. Laid down by Kawasaki Dockyard Co. Ltd., Kobe, Japan on 6 April 1939, launched on 10 May 1940, completed on 12 October 1940, acquired by the army on 8 February 1941, classified as nucleus anti-aricraft vessel, damaged by US aircraft and artillery was she sunk by the American destroyer USS Meady at Tassafaronga Point, Guadalcanal, Solomon Island on 15 October 1942. Dimensions around 479.5 x 62.x 20.3 x 12 (light)-27 (loaded) feet. Diesel propulsion. Range 35,000 nautical miles/16 knots. Oil fuel bunker capacity 2,800 tons. Single screw. Horsepower 1,850 nhp/7,500 bhp. Rpm 101/16 knots and 119 rpm/19 knots. Speed 16 (normal cruising)-21 (maximum) knots. Strengthened for 5” or 6” guns armament. 

British repair ship HMS Assistance visiting Astakos, Greece in January 1928

Sketch of Vice Admiral Sir Roger Keyes (1872–1945), KCB, CMG, CVO, DSO, by the British painter Glyn Warren Philpot, 1918. 

Courtesy of the collection of the Imperial War Museums.

The American Consulate at Valetta, Malta wrote the US State of Secretary on 10 January 1928 No. 223 that the British Mediterranean Fleet under admiral Sir George Keyes (1) was to depart from Malta on 16 January for exercises and afterwards to be splitted into divisions for a cruise to the Levant. The entire fleet was to reassemble at Malta on 2 February. The HMS Assistance (2) was to arriva at Astakos, Greece on 19 January, leaving on 31 January and arriving at Malta on 2 February.

Notes

1. Roger John Brownlow Keyes, 1st Baron Keyes (4 October 1872 Punjab, British India-26 December 1945 Tingewick, United Kingdom). served in the Royal Navy between 1885-1935 and 1940-1941 ending his career in the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.

2. The repair ship purchased in 1900 and handed over to the Ward shipbreakers as part payment for the RMS Majestic in 1937?

Source

National Archives. Record Group 64: Records of the National Archives and Records AdministrationSeries: Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Great Britain. Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: 841.315 THRU 841.31553 THRU Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: Movement of Naval Vessels: 841.33 - 841.3311/64. Microcopy 580 roll 92. 

The design of a floating battery by John William Couchman in 1862

The American annual cyclopaedia p. 623 mentioned that on the World Exhibition in 1862 J.W. Couchman presentended a model of a floating battery “combined with vertical ports the sloping side between ports, as attic windows are formed in the slooping roof. The necessity of rendering the sides and roofs also of these ports shot-proof, would probably make the proposed armor enormoulsy heavy.”

An catalogue supplies more specific details. Coucham lived at Tottenham Green, Middlesex, England and presented on the exhibition except for the floating battery models of a new principle of street making and an iron combination bridge. The model of the 12-gun battery had as scale 5 feet to 1 inch. That resulted in reality in a ship of 150 (over al) x 38.9 x 8 (height maindeck at sides) feet. The building material was oak timber of ribs in solid order 2 feet thick. The gunways and sided to 2 feet vertically below water level, to be covered with 3” iron plates and the flushdeck witt 2” dito, secured with bolts with mushroom-shaped heads of stee 8” in diameter. The interior was to be ventilatedthrough  gangways on the flush deck, by apertures at stem and Stern and by the port-holes, which open to the under side of the domed roofs.

His spouse described in her book that he made a model of a floating battery in a room of the former house of the father of reverend G.T, Thompson at Tottenham Green which he gave to the Royal Unted Service Institution and from there handed over to the South Kensington Museum. John William (13 March 1824 Kensington, London, England-10 August 1901 16 Pembury Road, Tottenham) was a civil engineer particular of waterworks and further surveyor and agent to the lords of the manors of Tottenham and Edmonton. The London Gazette dated 29 October 1875 mentioned him also as inventor of “improvements in the means of and apparatus for raising sunken vessels, and also for preventing them from sinking.”No. 3548.

Sources

Illustrated Catalogue of the International Exhibition of 1862. The Illustrated Catalogue of the Industrial Department. British division-vol. II. No. 2664.

Mrs. J.W. [Harriet] Couchman. Reminiscences of Tottenham, 1909.

The London Gazette 29-10-1875.

https://atom.aim25.com/index.php/couchmans-tottenham-surveyors-and-valuers seen 2-3-2026

The American annual cyclopaedia and register of important events of the year 1862. Volume II, New York, 1871.

The Practical Mechanic’s Journal. Record of the Great Exhibition, 1862. 

Italian ocean going diesel-electric submarine Alpino Bagnolini 1938-1943 and German U.I.T. 22 1943-1944

Brin-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Liuzzi-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Liuzzi-class of which totally 4 four were built preceded by Brin-class. Laid down by Cantieri Navale Tosi, Taranto, Italy on 15 December 1938, launched on 28 October 1939, commissioned on 22 December 1939, seized at Bordeaux, France by German forces after the Italian armistice in September 1943, converted into a cargo submarine for supplying Japanese bases in the Far East, sunk by Catalina’s of the South African Force around 650 nautical miles south-southeast off Cape Town, South Africa on 11 March 1944 and stricken on 27 February 1947

Laid up and unfit cruisers of the Russian Baltic Fleet in 1922

Svetlana-class light cruisers. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

The Commissioner of the United States at Riga, Latvia supplied the Secretary of State at Washingto n, USA on 23 February 1922 more details about the condition of Russian warships. The cruisers Kimburn, Izmail, Greig, Svetlana and Lazarev were laid up being absolutely unfit for service unless extensive repairs which were out of question under the present consitions. Most of the guns were removed to be used elsewhere.

Source

Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Russia and the Soviet Union, 1910-29. Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: 861.30 .(861.31 Naval Maneuvers; 851.32 Personnel); 861.33 Movements of Navy Vessels; 861.34 Equipment and Supplies): 861.39 - 861.345. Micro film 316 roll 92. 

Construction status of the German submarine U 2359 in July 1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

List of planning with deadlines for new construction of warships by German shipyards in July 1944. Type XXIII. Yard Deutsche Werft, Hamburg. Yard number 513. Date building ordered 28 October 1943. Date completion November 1944. Remarks deadlines conform planning.

Source

Deutsches Historisches Institut Moska. Records 500 findbuch 12453-file 147. 

Croatian customs motor boat B in 1943

According to a letter dated Zagreb 4 November 1943 were the vessels of the customs service in April 1941 mainly at Split or other Croatian harbours under Croatian flag until July 1941 when the Italian took over the vessels for war purposes. Efforts to keep at least some of the vessels for security reasons off the Croatian coast were denied by the Italian government claiming the vessels were taken as Yugoslavian prizes despite during 4 being months Croatia-flagged and Italy would protect the Croatian coastline. Gross register tonnage 20 tons.(1)

Note

1. The Independent State of Croatia was established after Yugoslavia was captured by Italy and Germany on 10 April 1941. This state was first an Italian Protectorate between 1941-1943 and then a German puppet state between 1943-1945.

Source

Bundesarchiv TM-12-II/4

Construction status of the German submarine U 2358 in July 1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

List of planning with deadlines for new construction of warships by German shipyards in July 1944. Type XXIII. Yard Deutsche Werft, Hamburg. Yard number 512. Date building ordered 28 October 1943. Date completion November 1944. Remarks deadlines conform planning.

Source

Deutsches Historisches Institut Moska. Records 500 findbuch 12453-file 147. 

American whaler Magnolia visited Hillo, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 11 June 1853

An item reported the arrival at Hillo, Hawaii on 17 January of the American whaler Magnolia master Cox of New Bedford 16 months, cleared 24 January 

French ship of the line (ex-Impétueux 1757-1762) Ville de Paris 1762-1782

Source Gallica

Laid down at Rochefort, France in 1757, renamed La Ville d Pari in1762, launched on 19 January 1764, commissioned in 1762, captured by the British in the Battle of the Saintes on 12 April 1782,underway from Jamaica to England sunk off Newfoundland during the so-called Central Atlantic hurricane in September 1872. 

American whaler Bramin visited Lahaina, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 10 April 1852

An item reported the arrival at Lahaina, Hawaii on 30 March of the American whaler Bramin master Childs 6 months out clean coming from Hilo. Cleared for cruising on 31 March.

French screw steam ship of the line 2nd class la Ville de Nantes 1854-1887

Source Gallica

Preceded by the Algésiras class, both designed by Henri Dupuy de Lôme.Ordered on 3 April 1854, laid dwon by Arsenal de Cherbourg, France on 20 June 1854, launched on 7 August 1858, completed in October 1860, commissioned on 25 October 1860, floating prison snce 1871, stricken on 28 November 1872 and sold to be broken up in 1887. 

Dutch East Indiaman Zierikzee 1651-

Ship, E.I.C.-chamber Zealand, on stocks by Cornelis Speldernieuw sr. at E.I.C-yard at Middelburg 1651, launched 20 September 1652.

Sources

Kort gevat Jaarboek van de Edele Geoctroyeerde oost-indische compagnie der vereenigde Nederlanden ter kamer van Zeeland. Middelburg, 1759.

Archive V.O.C. 1602-1811 inv.no. 11048. Kort gevat Jaarboek van de Edele Geoctroyeerde Oost-Indische Compagnie tec. Christiaan Sigismund Matthaeus, Jan Dane, Middelburg, 1759.

Japanese harbor craft CS 68 1950s

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Length 48.6 feet. Operated by the Maritime Safety Board

German Greenland whaler Charitas returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Oprechte Haerlemsche courant dated 18 August 1699

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 17 August reported the arrival on 14 August at Bremen of the German Greenland whaler Charitas zero results

Scottish whaler Nelson? in 1821

Type ship. Master Ridley. Tonnage 282 tons. Built at Aberdeen in 1796. Owner Union Whale Fishing Co. Port where registered Aberdeen.

Source

List of the shipping registered in the different ports of Scotland. Glasgow, 1821. 

German pre design for the Deutschland-class pocket battleships design I/10 dated 1923

Design I/10. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Admiral Graf Spee. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Admiral Hipper-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Deutschland-class consisted of the Deutschland (Panzerschiff A, replacement of the Preussen) renamed Lützow in January 1940), Admiral Graf Scheer Panzerschiff B replacement of the Lotharingen) and Admiral Graf Spee (Panzerschiff C, replacement of the Braunschweig, lost in 1939). Succeeded by Admiral Hiper-class and planned D-class cruiser. Original called Panzerschiffe (armored ships), reclassifed as heavy cruisers in February 1940. The press called her pocket battleships while she were more competent then the pre-dreadnought battleships, able to outrun every ship more heavier armed or to out gun every existing (heavy) cruiser due to her armament of 2x3-28cm/11” guns. Plans to convert the two existing units in 1943 into aircraft carriers was not executed. Displacement 10,000 tons and as dimensions 176,0 x 18,8 x 6,5 metres. Turbine propulsion, 46 single ended and 4 double ended oil fuelled boilers, 2 shafts, 80,000 hp and speed of 22 knots. Belt 8cm, gun hoods maximum 10 cm and deck 3 cm. Armament of 4x2-21cm quikck firing guns, 4x1-8,8cm anti aircraft guns and 8-50cm submerged torpedo tubes.

Sources

Gerhard Koop and Klaus-Peter Schmolke. Die Panzerschiffe der Deutschland-klasse.

Mike J. Whitley. Deutsche Kreuzer im Zweiten Weltkrieg.

Gert Sandhofer. Das Panzerschiff “A” und die vorentwürfe von 1920 bis 1928.

Jane’s Fighting Ships several editions.

Flottes de combat several editions.

Bundesarchiv several files. German pre design for the Deutschland-class pocket battleships design 

The Chinese river gunboat Li Chuan in November 1927

The American consul at Harbin, China G.C. Hanson sent with his report dated 29 November 1927 a list dealing with the Chinese gunboats on the Sungari River. It included the Li Huan. Used for patrolling between Harbin and Lahasus. Reported to be in fair condition as far as cleanliness is but did not cruise much often caused by a chronic lacking coal and other supplies which was due to lacking the necessary finances. The gunboats seemed to have little success in preventing brigands attacking passing steamships and junks arrriving too late on the place of delict. Displacement 375 tons. Built of steel. Armament 6: 2-3lb quick firing guns, 2 mortars, 2 Make-sin (Maxim?) machine guns. Former nationality unknown. Former name unknown. Horsepower unknown. Tug converted into gunboat.

Source

National Archives. Record Group 64: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration. Series: Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of China. File Unit. Military Affairs and the Army: Army Maneuvers: 893.21 - 893.215 THRU Naval Affairs, Navy, Naval Vessels: Pay: 893.35/0-2. Microfilm 329 roll 122. 

Japanese minelayer Sarushima 1933-1944

Natsushima. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Natshima-class consisting of the Nasami, Natsushima both Project H5 and Sarushima Project H5B. Ordered under the 1931 Programme. Designed was based on that of preceding Tsubama-class succeeded by Sokuten-class. Laid down by Mitsubishi, Yokohama on 28 March 1933, launched on 16 December 1933, completed on 20 July 1934, between 194e-1944 were her minerails removed for carrying 36 depth charges and since then escort, sunk during an air raid off Ototo-Jima on 4 July 1944 and stricken on 10 September 1944. 

Condition of the Russian submarine division of the Baltic Fleet in 1922

The Commissioner of the United States at Riga, Latvia supplied the Secretary of State at Washington, USA on 23 February 1922 more details about the condition of Russian warships. The division consisted of the repair and supply ships Polkov (salvage), Tosno, Voin, Voiny, Aneta and Timernick (supply) and the following submarines:

-Tiger. Her forward cistern was badly damaged, de rudder protection demolished, propeller shafts out of alignment, accumaltors out of oder and her propulsion needed a complete overhauling.When she dived to a depth of 70 feet or more gave her hull plates way on seams. She was now dry-deocked but lacking repair material all work stopped.

-Panther was general spoken in bad condition and not fit for sea.

-Rys, was fit for sea as soon as the minor repairs were completed.

-Iorsh, a special submarine minelayer was indefinitely out of commission.

-Yaguar, fit for the sea.

-Tur and Volk were practically entirely out of commission.

-Leopard and Zmeya were in good condition and fir for the sea.

-Kagur, Vepr, Kaz, Parel and Ugor were laid up indefinitely and no attempts were made to repair them.

-Minoga, Makerel, Kasatka, Okim and Keta served between 1918-1919 on the Caspian Sea but were now all lying at Astrachan, completely out of commission.

-Keta was under repair at the Baltic Shipyard, Petrograd and was to be commissioned in May or at the latets in June this year.

Source

Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Russia and the Soviet Union, 1910-29. Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: 861.30 .(861.31 Naval Maneuvers; 851.32 Personnel); 861.33 Movements of Navy Vessels; 861.34 Equipment and Supplies): 861.39 - 861.345. Micro film 316 roll 92. 

British destroyer HMS Weazel 1918

Seymour, Parker-class flotilla leader. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Sistership Veteran. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

HMS Amazon D39 (1925-1927). ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An Admiralty modified W-class destroyer ordered under the 14th War Programme . Of the 38 ships ordered were just 7 completed, the other 31 were cancelled. Preceded by S-and Parker-classes and succeeded by Thornycroft type destroyer leaders Ambuscade and Amazon. To be built by Fairfield Shipbuilding&Engineering Company, Govan, Scotland. Order cancelled on 26 November 1918.

German blockade runner Gedania in 1940

In a letter dated 13 April 1942 No. 1329 to the O.K.M./1 Abteilung Skl. was the so-called ‘Etappen’-organisation of the navy described. In the attachment were the blockade runners decribed used for this purpose. Motor tanker Gedania. Loaded with about 9,000 whale oil. Departed Las Palmas, Canary Islands on 14 October 1940. Arrived at St. Nazaire, France on 2 November 1940. Returned in Germany on 1 December 1940, seized by OKW/Ausl. IV-Kriegsmarine and handed over to A III.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/223

American destroyer minelayer USS Maury DD-100 1918-1934

Destroyer of the DD 75-347 type. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Wickes-class light minelayer. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Wickes-class preceded by Caldwell-classs succeeded by Clemson-class divided into Little-subclass, Lamberton-subclass and Tattnall-subclasses. Laid down by Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, USA on 4 May 1918, launched on 4 July 1918, commissioned on 23 September 1918, reclassified as DM-05 on 17 July 1920, decommissioned on 19 March 1930, stricken on 22 October 1930, sold on 17 January 1931 and broken up on 1 May 1934. 

American whaler Menkar visited Lahaina, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 10 April 1852

An item reported the arrival at Lahaina, Hawaii on 24 March of the American whaler Menkar master Pease 7 months out clean coming from the Mosquito Bay. Cleared on 30 April for cruising.

Construction status of the German kriegsfischkutter KFK 41 in 1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

List of planning with deadlines for new construction of warships dated Berlin 22 May 1944. Yard at Varna, Bulgaria. Date building ordered 22 December 1941. Date completion unknown due to transport and labour problems allowing a future maximum completion of 1-2 Kriegsfischkutters possible.

Source

Deutsches Historisches Institut Moska. Records 500 findbuch 12453-file 152. 

American whaler Adeline spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 23 October 1852

An item reported the American whaler Abram Parker which arrived at Honolulu, Hawaii on 14 October 1852 spoke in September the American whaler Adeline 10 whales. 

Construction status of the German submarine U 2357 in July 1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

List of planning with deadlines for new construction of warships by German shipyards in July 1944. Type XXIII. Yard Deutsche Werft, Hamburg. Yard number 511. Date building ordered 28 October 1943. Date completion November 1944. Remarks deadlines conform planning.

Source

Deutsches Historisches Institut Moska. Records 500 findbuch 12453-file 147. 

British Mediterranean Fleet preparing to leave Malta for exercises followed by harbor visits in January-February 1928

Sketch of Vice Admiral Sir Roger Keyes (1872–1945), KCB, CMG, CVO, DSO, by the British painter Glyn Warren Philpot, 1918. 

Courtesy of the collection of the Imperial War Museums.

The American Consulate at Valetta, Malta wrote the US State of Secretary on 10 January 1928 No. 223 that the British Mediterranean Fleet under admiral Sir George Keyes (1) was to depart from Malta on 16 January for exercises and afterwards to be splitted into divisions for a cruise to the Levant. The entire fleet was to reassemble at Malta on 2 February. The 4th Destroyer Flotilla and Sandhurst (2) were to arrive at Valona [Vlorë, Albania?] on 20 January, leaving on 30 January and arriving at Malta on 2 February.

Notes

1. 1. Roger John Brownlow Keyes, 1st Baron Keyes (4 October 1872 Punjab, British India-26 December 1945 Tingewick, United Kingdom). served in the Royal Navy between 1885-1935 and 1940-1941 ending his career in the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.

2. Launched by Harland&Wolff from slip 5 on 14 December 1905, delivered on 13 January 1906, hired as merchant ship Mainupur by the Royal Navy in 1914, purchased in 1915, served as dummy for the British battleship HMS Indomitable, conversion into a depot ship which completed in September 1916, several times de- and recommissioned, served in the Mediterranean and finally broken up at Dalmuir, Scotland in April 1946.

Source

National Archives. Record Group 64: Records of the National Archives and Records AdministrationSeries: Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Great Britain. Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: 841.315 THRU 841.31553 THRU Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: Movement of Naval Vessels: 841.33 - 841.3311/64. Microcopy 580 roll 92. 

Construction status of the German submarine U 2356 in July 1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

List of planning with deadlines for new construction of warships by German shipyards in July 1944. Type XXIII. Yard Deutsche Werft, Hamburg. Yard number 501. Date building ordered 28 October 1943. Date completion November 1944. Remarks deadlines conform planning. Source

Deutsches Historisches Institut Moska. Records 500 findbuch 12453-file 147. 

Dutch East Indiaman Tayonan 1650-

Yacht, E.I.C.-chamber Zealand, on stocks by Cornelis Speldernieuw sr. at E.I.C-yard at Middelburg, Netherlands 1650, launched 20 August 1650.

Sources

Kort gevat Jaarboek van de Edele Geoctroyeerde oost-indische compagnie der vereenigde Nederlanden ter kamer van Zeeland. Middelburg, 1759.

Archive V.O.C. 1602-1811 inv.no. 11048. Kort gevat Jaarboek van de Edele Geoctroyeerde Oost-Indische Compagnie tec. Christiaan Sigismund Matthaeus, Jan Dane, Middelburg, 1759.

Japanese harbor craft CS 66 1950s

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Length 48.6 feet. Operated by the Maritime Safety Board

German Greenland whaler Hop returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Oprechte Haerlemsche courant dated 18 August 1699

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 17 August reported the arrival on 14 August at Bremen of the German Greenland whaler Hoop zero results.

Scottish whaler Princess Charlotte in 1821

Type ship. Master W. Adamson. Tonnage 357 tons. Built at South Shields in 1814. Owner Dvid Brown. Port where registered Dundee.

Source

List of the shipping registered in the different ports of Scotland. Glasgow, 1821. 

Turkish drone carrier-amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu L-400 2016-

Rotterdam, Netherlands 28 February 2020

Turkey-flagged, MMSI 271033125. Ordered on 1 June 2015, construction at the Shipyard of Sedef Shipbuilding, Istanbul, Started on 30 April 2016, keel laid down on 7 February 2018, launched on 30 April 2019 and commissioned on 10 April 2023. Modified Juan Carlos I-class. 

Design of a battleship with a displacement of 16,000 tons by John Harvard Biles in 1914

Design 16,000 tons battleship. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

British pre-dreadnought HMS Lord Nelson. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

There was just two forms of defence agansit a submarine attacking a target with her torpedoes. One was to destroy the submarine herself or improve the protection of the target, especially the bottom of the surface ship. In his article described Biles (1) some designs of battleships which should be able to keep fighting even after being torpedoed by a 21” torpedo. One of the solutions was to armor the bottom resulting in reducing her speed with 2 knots. The newest battleships had a form with a low resistance to forward motion. His idea was to develop a form better adapted to fitting and carrying armor despiter creating greater resistance or a reducing speed.

One design he suggested was a battleship with a displacement of 16,000 tons and as dimensions 434 (between perpendiculars)-460 (over all) x 80 (extreme) x 24 feet. Speed 18 knots. Armament consisted of 3x2-14” guns and 16-5” guns. The armor consisted on side at waterline 5”, above water line 5”, under the waterline 4”, on casemate 2”, on barbettes 5” and with 2” thick protective deck-plating. The reduced armor coudl resist 6” projectiles. She was sufficiently well armored above the waterline. The sections below the waterline were straight with a circular arc at the end to simplify the armor contruction of the bottom. This design was about the displacement of the British battleship HMS Nelson (2) which was sometimes called a dreadnought.

Notes

1. Sir John Harvard Biles (1854-1933) was Professor of Naval Architecture at the University of Glasgow, Scotland between 1891-1921.

2. Of the Lord Nelson-class pre-dreadnought battleships preceded by Swiftsure-class succeeded by HMS Dreadnought with a displacement of 15,604 ( normal)-18,106 (deep load) tons. Dimensions 443.6 (over all) x 79.6 x 30 (extra deep load), speed 19 knots and armament 2x2-30.5cm/12” guns, 10 (4x2&2x1) 23.4cm/9.2” guns, 24x1-12-odr 76mm/3” guns, 12x1-3pdr 47mm/1.9” guns and 5-45cm/18” torpedo tubes.

Sources

Biles, sir John. “Battleship protection against submarine. Proposed increase of armor at the expense of decrease in speed” in Journal of the United States Artillery, volume 42, 1914.

Idem. “On the Protection of Battleships against Submarine Attack” in: Shipbuilding and Shipping Record, 9 July 1914.

T. G. Owens. “Some questions to battleship design” in: Shipbuilding and Shipping Record, 9 April 1914. 

British Mediterranean Fleet preparing to leave Malta for exercises followed by harbor visits in January-February 1928

Sketch of Vice Admiral Sir Roger Keyes (1872–1945), KCB, CMG, CVO, DSO, by the British painter Glyn Warren Philpot, 1918. 

Courtesy of the collection of the Imperial War Museums.

The American Consulate at Valetta, Malta wrote the US State of Secretary on 10 January 1928 No. 223 that the British Mediterranean Fleet under admiral Sir George Keyes (1) was to depart from Malta on 16 January for exercises and afterwards to be splitted into divisions for a cruise to the Levant. The entire fleet was to reassemble at Malta on 2 February. The Second Destroyer Flotilla was to arrive at Drepano, Greece on 19 January, leaving on 31 January and arriving at Malta on 2 February.

Note

1. Roger John Brownlow Keyes, 1st Baron Keyes (4 October 1872 Punjab, British India-26 December 1945 Tingewick, United Kingdom). served in the Royal Navy between 1885-1935 and 1940-1941 ending his career in the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.

Source

National Archives. Record Group 64: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration Series: Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Great Britain. Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: 841.315 THRU 841.31553 THRU Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: Movement of Naval Vessels: 841.33 - 841.3311/64. Microcopy 580 roll 92. 

British minesweeper HMS Flying Fish K 370 1943-1951 and Ceylon HMCyS Vijaya 1951-1975

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Algerine-class minesweepers preceded by Bangor-class succeeded by Ton-class. Totally 110 built (United Kingdom 50, Canada 60). Laid down by Redfern Construction Company, Toronto, Canada with yard number 55 on 30 October 1943, launched on, 16 February 1944, completed on 14 October 1944, given to the Royal Ceylon Navy in 1949, commissioned as HMCyS Vijaya in 1951, part of the Sri Lanka Navy since 1972 and broken up in 1975. 

The condition of the Russian destroyer squadron of the Baltic Fleet in 1922

The Commissioner of the United States at Riga, Latvia supplied the Secretary of State at Washingto n, USA on 23 February 1922 more details about the condition of Russian warships. Part of Destroyer Squadron of the Baltic Fleet. Azard, Orfei, Pobeditz, Yzilmenev, Garibaldi and Desna were all in full commission. During the speed trials in last fall developed all ships a speed of 24 knots while using 3 boilers. Further more consisted the squadron of the Guidamak, Amuretz, Usuriets and 2 smaller French type torpedo boats, all in fairly good condition and able to develope a speed of 14 knots with 2 boilers during speed trials.

Source

Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Russia and the Soviet Union, 1910-29. Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: 861.30 .(861.31 Naval Maneuvers; 851.32 Personnel); 861.33 Movements of Navy Vessels; 861.34 Equipment and Supplies): 861.39 - 861.345. Micro film 316 roll 92. 

British anti-submarine frigate HMS Loch Goil 1945

River-class ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Loch-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Bay-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Modified River-class hull and improved armament. Of this class were 28 ships built and 54 cancelled. To be built by Harland & Wolff. Cancelled in 1945.

Sources

Jane’s Fighting Ships 1944-1945

David K. Brown. Nelson to Vanguard. Warship design and development 1923-1945.

David K. Brown. Atlantic Escorts. Ships, Weapons and Tactics in World War II.

J.J.. Colledge/Ben Warlow. Ships of the Royal Navy. The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy from the 15th Century to the Present.

Norman Friedman. British Destroyers&Frigates/ The Second World War and After.

Leo Marriott. Royal Navy Frigates since 1945. 2nd edition.

G.M. Stephen. British warship designs since 1906.

A.W. Watson. ‘Corvettes and frigates’ in: Transactions of the Institution of Naval Architects, 1947, p. 165-185

Croatian customs motor boat A in 1943

According to a letter dated Zagreb 4 November 1943 were the vessels of the customs service in April 1941 mainly at Split or other Croatian harbours under Croatian flag until July 1941 when the Italian took over the vessels for war purposes. Efforts to keep at least some of the vessels for security reasons off the Croatian coast were denied by the Italian government claiming the vessels were taken as Yugoslavian prizes despite during 4 being months Croatia-flagged and Italy would protect the Croatian coastline. Gross register tonnage 20 tons.(1)

Note

1. The Independent State of Croatia was established after Yugoslavia was captured by Italy and Germany on 10 April 1941. This state was first an Italian Protectorate between 1941-1943 and then a German puppet state between 1943-1945.

Source

Bundesarchiv TM-12-II/4