A design from Sir William Congreve for a British armoured floating mortar battery in 1805

Royal Museums Greenwich ID SLR1812. Object 67771

Body plan for the Project of 1806. Royal Museums Greenwich ID ZAZ5755. Object 85546

Model mortar boat Project of 1805. Royal Museums Greenwich ID SLR2702. Object 68661

A note dealing with the use of armour plates for warships mentioned a proposal by Sir William Congreve made in 1805.(1) The Times dated 20 February 1850 described his design for an armoured floating mortar battery which should be shot-proof but never realized. Among his unpublished papers was another suggestion of attaching armour plates to the embrasures of casemates. The catalogue of the Museum of Artillery dating 1865 mentioned

-a model No. 24 (305-1038) of a shot-proof floating battery armed with 4 mortars. Fitted out with hollow iron masts making it possible to cover the whole rigging in a few minutes after she took her station.  Proposed to be used for attacking the French Boulogne flotilla in 1804 (for more details A concise...).

-a model No. 25 (306-1043) of a mortar boat, called the Project, armed with 2-25.4ccm/10” mortars with a rudder at each end to prevent tacking in bombardment, built at Woolwich, England in 1805 (for more details A concise...).

-a model No.26 (307-1039) of a shot-proof mortar boat with a rudder at each end to prevent tacking while bombarding.

The Royal Museums Greenwich owns a model of a shot proof mortar boat which was proposed by Congreve between 1805-1809 according to their website. Her central battery was covered by an angled roof. The hull was pierced with several small gunports for small arms or rockets. Double-ended with rudders at both ends which could be locked in line with the hull to prevent the earlier mentioned tacking. The scale of the model suggest as dimensions 120 x 30 feet.

Note

1. Sir William Congreve, 2nd. Baronet (20 May 1772-16 May 1828), army officer, politician, inventor and publisher.

Sources

The Encyclopaedia Britannica. 11th Edition. Volume II Andros to Austria. London, 1910, p. 578

Catalogue of the naval models in the South Kensington Museum, London, 1865.

J.H. Lefroy. Official catalogue of the Museum of Artillery in the Rotunda, Woolwich. London, 1864, p. 168.

William Congreve. A concise account of the origin and Progress of the Rocket System. Dublin, Ireland, 1817. 

French steam fishing vessel Les Baleines on 14 July 1940

In his letter dated Rochefort, France 14 July 1940 5/40 G the German Leiter der Küstenüberwachungstelle West-Frankreich (Head coastal surveillance station West-France supplied the German commanding admiral France more details about the French steam fishing vessels lying at La Rochelle and La Pallice as requested by telegram A III 1082 Secret. Owner Oskar Dahl&Co. Gross register tonnage 277,18 ton. Dimensions 38.64 x 7.20 x 3.58 metres. Load capacity 150 tons. Speed 10 nautical miles. Horsepower 511 hp.(1))

Note

1. Lloyd’s Register 1939-1940. Gross tonnage 253 tons, under deck 212 tons, net tonnage 89 tons and built by Smith’s Dock Co. Ltd., South Bank, Middlesbrough, England in 1913. Trawler.

Source

Bundesarchive RM 45-IV_848. 

French fishing vessels used as minehunters on 14 July 1940

In his letter dated Rochefort, France 14 July 1940 5/40 G the German Leiter der Küstenüberwachungstelle West-Frankreich (Head coastal surveillance station West-France supplied the German commanding admiral France more details about the French steam fishing vessels lying at La Rochelle and La Pallice as requested by telegram A III 1082 Secret. There were 6 wood-built fishing vessels crewed by French naval sailors and which used as minehunters. Their crews were still on board.

Source

Bundesarchive RM 45-IV_848. 

Cuban cargo ship Sandino 1977-1990 (Cajio 1990-1993, Soul 1993-1996, Gajio 1996-2001)

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Similar Bolivar, Juarez, San Martin, José Marti, O’Higgins, and Sandino. Launched by by Helsingør Skibsvaerft&Maskinbyggeri, Helsingør, Denmark with yard number 414 for owner Empresa Maritimo Portuaria de Importación, Havana, Cuba on 29 September 1977, commissioned in February 1978, of Noveco Transporte Marítimo SA (Naviera Poseidón), Havana and renamed Cajio since 1 January 1990, same owner, renamed Soul, Belize since 1993, of Naviera Frigorífica Marítima, Havana and renamed Cajio since 1996 and broken up at Cuba on 23 June 2001. Gross tonnage 9,656 tons, deadweight 14,500 tons, horsepower 11,200 bhp and speed 17.5 knots. Dimensions 154,1 x 19,8 x 9,5 metres. 

British troop transports regularly leaving Italian harbours for Greece according to the Kriegsnachrichten of the Chef des Admiralstabes der Marine dated Berlin 28 August 1917

An item reported that according to an agent notification dated 3 August in the future every 14 days British replacement transports from Naples, Italy were sent. Another notification stated that part of those transports were coming from Brindisi. Italian troops were shipped to the Epirus, Greece.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM-40-622

British steamship Saxon collided with escort vessel according to the Kriegsnachrichten of the Chef des Admiralstabes der Marine dated Berlin 28 August 1917

An item reported that the British steamship Saxon of 12,385 tons collided the night of 24 August with an escort vessel and was at 13.00 o’clock on the position 39.17 North and 18.15 East between Cotrone and Corfu, Greece. The item published on 21 August dealing with transports going to or coming from Catrone was now confirmed.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM-40-622

Spanish torpedo boat T-17 1916-1952

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

ILaunched in 1916. International call sign GRSJ. Part of T-class preceded by Ariete-class succeeded by German S-boats. Between 1912-1922 were totally 22 of the planned 24 boats built by Sociedad Española de Construcción Naval, Cartagena, Spain based on the French Bourrasque-torpedo boats class design from Chantiers et Ateliers A. Normand, Le Havre, France. Dimensions 50 (maximum) x 5,00 (maximum) x 3.20 x 1.47 metres. Maximum displacement 180 ton. Number of screws 3. Maximum speed 26,00 knots. Coal bunker capacity 1,000 ton. Crew numbered 31 men. Armament 3-4.7cm Vickers guns, 1x45cm and 1x2-45cm torpedo tubes. 

Navypedia claims developed with support of the British firm Vickers and based on the French Cyclone-class of Norman. Building authorized under the law dated 7 January 1908. Harald Fock. Schwarze Gesellen. Torpedoboote bis 1914 also mentioned the Cyclone-class as basic design.

Sources

T-1 classLista official de los buques de Guerra y mercantes de España 1925.s succeeded by German S-boats. Between 1912-1922 were totally 22 of the planned 24 boats built by Sociedad Española de Construcción Naval, Cartagena, Spain based on the French Bourrasque-torpedo boats class, design from Chantiers et Ateliers A. Normand, Le Havre, France? Launched in 1913 and broken up in 1932. International call sign GKRT. Dimensions 50 (maximum) x 5,00 (maximum) x 3.20 x 1.61 metres. Maximum displacement 180 ton. Number of screws 3. Maximum speed 26,40 knots. Coal bunker capacity1,000 ton. Crew numbered 31 men. Armament 3-4.7cm Vickers guns, 1x45cm and 1x2-45cm torpedo tubes.

Navypedia claims developed with support of the British firm Vickers and based on the French Cyclone-class of Norman. Building authorized under the law dated 7 January 1908. Harald Fock. Schwarze Gesellen. Torpedoboote bis 1914 also mentioned the Cyclone-class as basic design.

Sources

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clase_T-1

Lista official de los buques de Guerra y mercantes de España 1925.

British auxiliary cruiser patrolling off Tenedos, Aegean Sea according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 27 January 1940

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 27 January 1940 No. 690g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Abteilung Ausland the neutral ships passing Istanbul coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for or chartered by the enemy. An item reported on 20 January that a British auxiliary cruiser near Tenedos asked three Italian steamships while using signal flags what their name and designation was and after being answered let them pass. The auxiliary cruiser seemed to be a circa 15,000 gross tons steamship of the Peninsular&Oriental Line (P&O) with one funnel. On the stern and bow was a gun mounted, further more several machine guns and flak. Complete darkgrey painted. Name of her was not visible.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

Turkish cargo ship Altay bound for Egypt according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 3 February 1940

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 3 February 1940 No. 712 g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Abteilung Ausland the neutral ships passing Istanbul coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for or chartered by the enemy. An item reported on 26 January the Turkish cargo ship Altay loaded with 300 wagons board underway from Galatz, Romania to Alexandria, Egypt. The owner was paid 17 Lsterling/wagon.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459.

Japanese auxiliary patrol boat No. 2222 cancelled 1945

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

No. 1-class patrol boat/Type B ordered under the 1943-1944 Programme to be part of the coastal forces. Of the 280 ordered were just 56 laid down and even a less number finally completed when the Second World War ended. To serve as convoy escorts were the boats also fitted out with minesweeping gears. Based on a traditional wood built fishing boat. With a displacement of 238 tons and as dimensions 93.5 (between perpendiculars)-105. 3/4 (over all) x 20.2 x 7.75 feet. Geared diesel propulsion with 400bhp via one shaft and speed 9 knots. Crew numbered 26 men. Armament consisted of 2/4x1-2.5cm guns and 8-12 depth charges.

Scottish Greenland whaler Hope in 1807

Caught 9 whales resulting in 146 tons oil. Homeport Peterhead.

Source

Annals of Peterhead from the foundation to the present time. P. Buchan, Peterhead, 1819.

Scottish Greenland whaler Enterprise in 1806

Caught 0.5 whale resulting in 85 tons oil. Homeport Peterhead.

Source

Annals of Peterhead from the foundation to the present time. P. Buchan, Peterhead, 1819. 

Scottish Greenland whaler Enterprise in 1805

Caught 17 whales resulting in 129 tons oil. Homeport Peterhead.

Source

Annals of Peterhead from the foundation to the present time. P. Buchan, Peterhead, 1819. 

South Korean chemical/oil products tanker Silver Dubai 2015-

Schelde off Vlissingen 3-11-1026

Panama-flagged, IMO 9683427, MMSI 374369000 and call sign. Built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. Ltd., Ulsan, South Korea in 2015. Owner Propitious Shipping Holding Ltd, manager Sinokor Petrochemical Co. Ltd, both at Seoul, South Korea.

Australian whaler Roslin Castle for sale according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated Saturday 21 July 1838

An item reported that the whaler Roslin Castle lying for a long time idle at Darling Harbour was to be sold in a few days by Messrs. Isaac Simmons and Co. 

Whaler Lunar spoken according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated 21 July Saturday 1838

An item reported that the barque Mary, captain Swindells, property of Messrs. Hughes and Hosking, returned from the South Sea fishery on Thursday evening. She had spoken the whaler Lunar on 20 May 130 barrels

Australian whaling barque Mary returned home according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated 21 July Saturday 1838

An item reported that the barque Mary, captain Swindells, property of Messrs. Hughes and Hosking, returned from the South Sea fishery on Thursday evening. She had spoken the whaler Lunar on 20 May 130 barrels

French destroyer Panthère 1923-1943

Admiral Sénés.©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Chacal-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Guépard-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of the Chacal or Jaguar-class succeeded by Guépard-class, main task was to act as scouts for the battle line. Total six build. In the designing process was a 1,780 tons design armed with 5-10cm.3.8” guns of early 1920 not approved by the French Parliament. A new design was made on base of the designs of the Italian Leone-class and the German destroyer SM 113 which was after the First World War handed over to France as war reparations and commissioned in the French navy as Admiral Sénés. The new design was approved under the 1922 Naval Law. Ordered on 18 April 1922. Laid down byArsenal de Lorient, France on slipway No. 7 on 23 December 1923, launched on 27 October 1924, commissioned on 10 October 1926, completed on 4 January 1927,captured by German forces at Toulon on 27 November 1942, transferred to Italy on 14 December 1942, renamed FR 22 commissioned on 19 January 1943, scuttled by Italian forces at La Spezia on 9 September 1943 and broken up after the war. 

British protected cruiser HMS Pioneer visited the Dutch East Indies in 1909

Pelorus-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

The Dutch Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1908-1909 reported that the British cruiser HMS Pioneer visited Tandjong Priok, Dutch East Indies between 12-14 August and 9-13 September 1909. The Dutch newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 12 August reported her arrival returning from Sydney, Australia and Thursday Island. Commanded by W.F. Blunt (2), 12 officers, 200 men and armed with 12 guns. De locomotief dated 19 August reported her departiure towards Colombo, Ceylon. The Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated9 September 1909 reported her arrival coming from Colombo, Ceylon and bound for Thursday Island.

Notes

1. Of the Pelorus-class protected cruisers 3rd class,designed by chief constructor of the British Royal Navy Sir William White (2 February 1945 Plymouth, England-27 February 1913 London, England), preceded by the Arrogant-class and succeeded by the Highflyer-class. Laid down by Chatham Dockyard on 16 December 1897, launched on 28 June 1899, completed on 23 January 1900, commissioned on 10 July 1900, decommissioned on 29 November 1912, handed over to Australia on 28 November 1912, commissioned on 7 November 1913, decommissioned on 7 November 1916 and scuttled on 18 February 1931 off Sydney Heads. 

2. William Frederick Blunt (3 March 1870-5 July 1928) end rank rear admiral. 

The armament of the Dutch merchant ship Kelbergen in the Second World War

According to the list and supplements 1-2 on 13 September 1945 BDZ No. 673 sent by the office of armament the Royal Netherlands Navy located at 41 East 42nd Street, New York 17, USA. There were no complete records available, so there were several sources used to compile the list. Sometimes the kind of guns gave indirect information regarding the origin such as 4”/BL and 12 pounder guns were British mostly supplied in the United Kingdom, Canada or Curacao. The 4.7” guns were old Japanese guns placed on some vessels in the begin of the war at Singapore and some 4” guns in the same period at Surabaya, Dutch East Indies. The trade in which the ship was used gave also an indication were the guns were supplied, for example involved in the Pacific trade means supplied at the West Coast.

Armed with 4-2cm guns supplied at New York, USA on 17 June 1942.

Source

Archieven van hoofd handelsbescherming en diverse handelsbeschermingsofficieren 1941-1946 inv.no. 53 (Nationaal Archief, The Hague, Netherlands. 

Oil/chemical tanker (ex-Trans Alina 2001-2011, NST Alina 2011-2012, Alina 2012-2014) Stolt Auk 2014-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 3 November 2026

United Kingdom-flagged, homeport Cardiff, IMO 9164108, MMSI 235104739 and call sign 2HLY2. Built by YVC Ysselwerf, Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands in 2001. Ex-Trans Alina of Alina Sg Ltd., Isle of Man-flagged, since 2005 of Heuvelman Trans Alina II BV, Gibraltar-flagged, NST Alina since June 2011, same flag and owner, Alina since January 2012 same owner and flag and since June 2014 Stolt Auk, United Kingdom-flagged of Stolt Auk BV.

American whaler Alexander spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in June the American whaler Alexander master Ryan 3 whales

American whaler Alice Frazer spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in June the American whaler Alice Frazer master Taber 1 whale

American whaler Abagail spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in June the American whaler Abagail master Drew 9 whales

Russian light cruiser Admiral Kornilov 1914-1923

Svetlana-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Krasny Kavkaz of Admiral Nakhimov-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Kirov-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of the Admiral Nakhimov-clas preceded by the Svetlana-class succeeeded by Kirov-class. Laid down on 24 November 1917, launched on 11 November 1922, further building cancelled when 45% completed and broken up on the slipway between 1922-1923. 

American whaler Mary spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in June the American whaler Mary master Sayer 8 whales

American whaler Saratoga spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in June the American whaler Saratoga master Harding nothing

Dutch Greenland whaler Graeuwe Eenhoorn returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Amsterdamse courant dated 8 September 1703

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 7 September reported the recent arrival in the Vlie or at Texel of the Dutch Greenland whaler Graeuwe Eenhoorn 4,5 whales. Leaving the ice they heard about the war with France and went not to the rendezvous but straight home.  

Note

1. The Dutch Republic and France were enemies during the War of the Spanish Succession 1701-1713.

People in the 17th and 18th centuries held a different geographical view than people today. This means that when we speak of “Greenland whaling”, “the term “Greenland” actually refers to Svalbard, whereas “Davis Strait” refers to whaling off the coast of present-day Greenland. The Davis Strait is a southern arm of the Arctic Ocean that lies north of the Labrador Sea.

British minesweeping sloop HMS Geranium 1915-1919 and HMAS Geranium 1919-1935

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Built under the Emergency War Programme of the First World War. At the end of 1914 was the design completed and in July 1915 were 36 ships in 3 batches ordered for the British Royal Navy. British shipyards built an additional 8 vessels for the French Navy. Part of Arabis-class preceded by Azalea- and Acacia classes and preceded by Aubrietia-class. The Arabis-class was just like 4 other subclasses part of the so-called Flower-class, the later also known as Cabbage-class or the Herbaceous Borders. Launched by Greenock&Grangemouth Dockyard Company, Scotland on 8 November 1915, handed over to the Royal Australian Navy in 1919, dismantled in June 1932 and sunk while used as a target off Sydney, Australia on 24 April 1935. 

American whaler Cleone spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in June the American whaler Cleone master Sherman 12 whales

American whaler Condor spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in June the American whaler Condor master Kempton 4 whales

Dutch Greenland commandeur Arent Kok returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Amsterdamse courant dated 7 September 1700

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 6 September reporting the arrival off Texel, Netherlands of the Dutch Greenland commandeur Arent Kok 1,5 whale.(1)

Note

1. Greenland commanderu between 1700-1703 for Meyndert Zalm, De Rijp, Netherlands 1.5 whale 50 barrels blubber. Alphabetische naam-lyst van alle de Groenlandsche en Straat-Davidsche Commandeurs die sedert het jaar 1700 op Groenland en sedert het jaar 1719 op de Straat Davis etc.Gerret van Sant. Published by Johannes Enschede, Amsterdam 1770, with hand written note until 1794.

People in the 17th and 18th centuries held a different geographical view than people today. This means that when we speak of “Greenland whaling”, “the term “Greenland” actually refers to Svalbard, whereas “Davis Strait” refers to whaling off the coast of present-day Greenland. The Davis Strait is a southern arm of the Arctic Ocean that lies north of the Labrador Sea.

Japanese auxiliary patrol boat No. 2249 cancelled 1945

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

No. 1-class patrol boat/Type B ordered under the 1943-1944 Programme to be part of the coastal forces. Of the 280 ordered were just 56 laid down and even a less number finally completed when the Second World War ended. To serve as convoy escorts were the boats also fitted out with minesweeping gears.  on a traditional wood built fishing boat. With a displacement of 238 tons and as dimensions 93.5 (between perpendiculars)-105. 3/4 (over all) x 20.2 x 7.75 feet. Geared diesel propulsion with 400bhp via one shaft and speed 9 knots. Crew numbered 26 men. Armament consisted of 2/4x1-2.5cm guns and 8-12 depth charges. Cancelled in 1945. 

American whaler Lexington spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in May the American whaler Lexington master Brock 1 whale

American whaler Roscoe spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in May the American whaler Roscoe master Gifford clean

Catch results of the Dutch Greenland whaler Roo Leeuw according to the Dutch newspaper Amsterdamse courant dated 21 August 1700

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 20 August referred to a list of commandeur Engel Isaakse reporting the catch results of the Dutch Greenland whaler Roo Leeuw commandeur Dirk Arress 11 whales

Note

1. Dirk Arisz Huysman, Greenland commandeur between 1700-1713, 1700 for Jacob Corver, Zaandam, Netherlands 1 whales 320 barrels blubber. Alphabetische naam-lyst van alle de Groenlandsche en Straat-Davidsche Commandeurs die sedert het jaar 1700 op Groenland en sedert het jaar 1719 op de Straat Davis etc.Gerret van Sant. Published by Johannes Enschede, Amsterdam 1770, with hand written note until 1794.

People in the 17th and 18th centuries held a different geographical view than people today. This means that when we speak of “Greenland whaling”, “the term “Greenland” actually refers to Svalbard, whereas “Davis Strait” refers to whaling off the coast of present-day Greenland. The Davis Strait is a southern arm of the Arctic Ocean that lies north of the Labrador Sea.

Design for a circular warship No. 4 by John Elder in 1868

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

In the magazine The Artizan dated 1 July 1868 was a plate with figures and a small note published dealing with several designs for a ‘circular warship’ proposed by John Elder. He believed that such a ship with a widened beam could have a thicker and heavier armour and heavy guns compared with a ship of the common design and at the other hand a shallower draught and with a somewhat increased horsepower a comparable speed. The same year he read his paper Circular Ships of War, with immersed motive power for the United Service Institute in London, England. He executed experiments with his own construction and the common construction principles [the latter of a modern ironclad] including in all sorts of weather. It resulted in a draught around one-half of the draught of a common vessel allowing it to act in waters yet unaccessible. The power of rotation made it possible to act as a floating revolting turret or as a ram [like a gigantic circular saw). Diameter about 190 feet.

John Elder was a Scottish shipbuilder and marine engineer (8 March 1824 Glasgow, Scotland-17 September 1869 London, England). He worked for Randolph, Elder&Co., Glasgow, Scotland which became in 1886 the well known Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company.

The Russian rear admiral Andrei Alexandrovich Popov designed in 1869 the Charodeika-class monitor-class for the defence of the Dniepr-Bug Estuary and Kerch Strait. Popov used Elder’s ideas but by further widening the beam created a real circular ship and instead of a convex hull his design was flat-bottomed for a minimum draught. The armament was however not heavy enough and after several new designs was a design with a displacement of 6,151 tons, a diameter of 46.0 metres/151 feet and 4-27.9cm/11” guns approved. With too high building costs estimated was the design scaled down ending in the Novgorod laid down in 1871 with a displacement of 2,531 tons, a diameter of 30.8 metres/101 feet and 2-27.9cm/11” rifled muzzle guns.

British hired sailing transport City of Carlisle In the Crimean War on 8 December 1854

According to a list of the return of the disposition in the Black Sea on 8 December 1854 drawn up by Captain and Principal Agent of Transports P. Christie, “Harbinger”, Balaklava, Crimea: number transport 4, present position Constantinople, Bosphorus, remarks under orders of rear admiral Boxer. The Crimean War found place between 16 October 1853-30 March 1856 between Ottoman Empire, France, United Kingdom and Sardinia at one side and Russia and Greece on the other side. The British Government chartered a large number of merchant ships for transporting troops and stores.

Source

Reports from Committees: eight volumes. 3-Part II. A

British hired sailing transport Mercia In the Crimean War on 8 December 1854

According to a list of the return of the disposition in the Black Sea on 8 December 1854 drawn up by Captain and Principal Agent of Transports P. Christie, “Harbinger”, Balaklava, Crimea: number transport 2, present position Balaklava, remarks dismasted, waiting opportunity to be towed to Constantinople. The Crimean War found place between 16 October 1853-30 March 1856 between Ottoman Empire, France, United Kingdom and Sardinia at one side and Russia and Greece on the other side. The British Government chartered a large number of merchant ships for transporting troops and stores.

Source

Reports from Committees: eight volumes. 3-Part II. A

American destroyer USS Jouett DD-41 1911-1934

Flusser, Smith-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Roe, Paulding-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Duncan, Cassin-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Paulding-class (DD 22-42) preceded by Smith-class succeeded by Cassin-class. Some times DD 24-28, 30-31, 33 and 36 are considered as the Roe-class and DD 32,35 and 38-42 as Monaghan-class. Silhouettes differs while the DD 24-27, 30-32, 34, 36-37 and 40 possessed 3 instead of 4 funnels, with the middle funnel being larger with two boiler uptakes trunked together. The edition Jane’s Fighting Ships of World War I called the class instead of Paulding-class the Drayton-class which was unofficially also known as the Flivver Type. Laid down by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, USA on 7 March 1911, launched on 15 April 1912, commissioned on 24 May 1912, decommissioned on 12 December 1919, transferred to the US Coast Guard on 23 April 1924, commissioned in 23 August 1924, decommissioned on 16 May 1931, returned to the navy on 22 May 1934, stricken on 5 July 1934 and sold to Michael Flynn Inc., Brooklyn, New York to be broken up in 1934. 

Faroese merchant ship F/V Beinisvor lost in air attack according to the War Cabinet Weekly Résumé No. 83 of the Naval, Military and Air Situation 27 March-3 April 1941

An item reported that on 27 March was lost due to bombs thrown by enemy aircraft the Faroese merchant ship F/V Beinisvor, tonnage 85 tons , loaded with - , underway from ? to?, part of convoy not, on the position 60 miles east of Far Oer. All men landed at Thorshavn.

Source

National Archive UK. CAB-66-16-1. 

British protected cruiser HMS Flora visited the Dutch East Indies in 1909

Sister ship HMS Astraea©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

The Dutch Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1908-1909 reported that the British cruiser HMS Flora visited Tandjong Priok, Dutch East Indies between 22-25 August 1909. The Dutch newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 23 August 1909 reported her arrival coming from Thursday Island and bound for Colombo, Ceylon. With a crew of 16 officers and 300 men, Armed with 10 guns.The Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 23 August reported the arrival on 22 August of Flora, commanded by Rowland Nugent (2), 16 officers and 300 men, 10 guns and the smaller Cambrian, commanded by Vanghan, 17 officers and 117 men, 16 guns. Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 25 August 1909 reported her departure towards Colombo, Ceylon. -

Notes

1. Part of Astraea-class protected cruisers, preceded by Apollo-class, succeeded by Eclipse-class, launched by Pembroke Dock on 21 November 1893, commissioned on 24 July 1895, renamed training ship Indus II in April 1915, decommissioned in March 1922 and sold to be broken up on 12 December 1922.

2. Rowland Nugent (22 December 1861-25 March 1948), end rank admiral. Appointed as commanding officer of the Flora on 23 August 1907.

Japanese destroyer Kawakaze 1913-1916 (Intrepido 1916, Audace 1916-1943, TA20 1943-1944)

Sakura-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Urakaze-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Urakaze-class consisting of the Urakaze and Kawakaze preceded by Sakura-class succeeded by Kaba-class. Built under 1911 Fiscal Year. Ordered in 1913, laid down by Yarrow Shipbuilders, Scotstoun Scotland on 1 October 1913, sold to Italy on 3 July 1916, renamed Intrepido on 5 July 1916, renamed Audace on 25 September 1916, launched on 27 September 1916, completed on 23 December 1916, commissioned on 1 March 1917, reclassified as torpedo boat on 1 October 1929 captured by Germany on 12 September 1943, renamed TA20, served as minelayer and escort vessel during the Adriatic campaign and was sunk by British destroyers on 1 November 1944. 

Turkish steamship Nazim bound for Marseille, France according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 3 February 1940

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 3 February 1940 No. 712 g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Abteilung Ausland the neutral ships passing Istanbul coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for or chartered by the enemy. An item reported on 25 January the Turkish steamship Nazim which loaded at Izmir and Istanbul, Turkey 2,200 ton tobacco, bread bones, tobacco and dried fruit and so and departed on 25 January towards Marseille, France.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

The armament of the Dutch merchant ship Erinna in the Second World War

According to the list and supplements 1-2 on 13 September 1945 BDZ No. 673 sent by the office of armament the Royal Netherlands Navy located at 41 East 42nd Street, New York 17, USA. There were no complete records available, so there were several sources used to compile the list. Sometimes the kind of guns gave indirect information regarding the origin such as 4”/BL and 12 pounder guns were British mostly supplied in the United Kingdom, Canada or Curacao. The 4.7” guns were old Japanese guns placed on some vessels in the begin of the war at Singapore and some 4” guns in the same period at Surabaya, Dutch East Indies. The trade in which the ship was used gave also an indication where the guns were supplied, for example involved in the Pacific trade means supplied at the West Coast.

Armed with 1-2cm gun supplied at New York, uSA on 20 September 1944

Armed with 5-2cm guns

Source

Archieven van hoofd handelsbescherming en diverse handelsbeschermingsofficieren 1941-1946 inv.no. 53 (Nationaal Archief, The Hague, Netherlands. 

Japanese bulk carrier Oceana Frontier 2026-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 30 October 2026

Isle of Man-flagged, IMO 9965708, MMSI 232058674 and call sign MRKI5. Built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Fukuyama, Japan in March 2026. Owner Meiji, Tokyo, Japan, parent Mitsui OSK. 

Dutch Greenland commandeur Douwe Gerrits returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Amsterdamse courant dated 18 September 1700

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 17 September reported the arrival of the Dutch Greenland commandeur Douwe Gerrits 13 whales 350 quardelen.(1)

Note

1. Greenland commandeur between 1700-1712 for Van Taarlink, Amsterdam, 1700”13 whales 350 barrels blubber. Alphabetische naam-lyst van alle de Groenlandsche en Straat-Davidsche Commandeurs die sedert het jaar 1700 op Groenland en sedert het jaar 1719 op de Straat Davis etc.Gerret van Sant. Published by Johannes Enschede, Amsterdam 1770, with hand written note until 1794.

People in the 17th and 18th centuries held a different geographical view than people today. This means that when we speak of “Greenland whaling”, “the term “Greenland” actually refers to Svalbard, whereas “Davis Strait” refers to whaling off the coast of present-day Greenland. The Davis Strait is a southern arm of the Arctic Ocean that lies north of the Labrador Sea.

American whaler Ocean spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in May the American whaler Ocean master Noroton clean

Catch results of the American whaler Pacific according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival at Lahaina, Hawaii on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk which spoke and heard from in the Ochotsk Sea in May the American whaler Pacific master Allen 3 whales

Japanese auxiliary patrol boat No. 2228 cancelled 1945

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

No. 1-class patrol boat/ Type B ordered under the 1943-1944 Programme to be part of the coastal forces. Of the 280 ordered were just 56 laid down and even a less number finally completed when the Second World War ended. To serve as convoy escorts were the boats also fitted out with minesweeping gears.  on a traditional wood built fishing boat. With a displacement of 238 tons and as dimensions 93.5 (between perpendiculars)-105. 3/4 (over all) x 20.2 x 7.75 feet. Geared diesel propulsion with 400bhp via one shaft and speed 9 knots. Crew numbered 26 men. Armament consisted of 2/4x1-2.5cm guns and 8-12 depth charges. 

Dutch Greenland whaler de Blaeuwen Arend retruned home according to the Dutch newspaper Amsterdamse courant dated 18 September 1700

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 17 September reported the arrival of the Dutch Greenland whaler de Blaeuwen Arend commandeur Klaas Keuken 9,5 whale 280 quardelen.(1)

Note

1. Greenland commandeur for Dirk Blauw, Zaandam, Netherlands 1700-1709, in 1700: 9.5 whale 270 barrels blubber. Alfabetische naam-lyst van alle de Groenlandsche en Straat-Davidsche Commandeurs die sedert het jaar 1700 op Groenland en sedert het jaar 1719 op de Straat Davis etc.Gerret van Sant. Published by Johannes Enschede, Amsterdam 1770, with hand written note until 1794.

People in the 17th and 18th centuries held a different geographical view than people today. This means that when we speak of “Greenland whaling”, “the term “Greenland” actually refers to Svalbard, whereas “Davis Strait” refers to whaling off the coast of present-day Greenland. The Davis Strait is a southern arm of the Arctic Ocean that lies north of the Labrador Sea.

Master Peabody of the American whaler Morea committed suicide according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported that master Peabody of the American whaler Morea shot himself in the Anadir Sea and that the mate took over the command coming to the Ochotsk Sea reporting much ice and scarce whales.(1)

Note

1. Thomas P. Beady, of New Bedford, voyage begun on 13 October 1853, suicide on 5 June 1854. First mate Beriah C. Manchester. 

American whaling barque Alfred Tyler visited Lahaina, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 30 September 1854

An item reported the arrival on 27 September of the American whaling barque Alfred Tyler master Ripley from Edgartown coming from Ochotsk 300 barrels whale oil this season. She lft the Ochotsk Sea on 26 August due to the sickness of her master. First part of the season good weather latter part foggy. Whales were scarce and shy. Just a few ship caught live whales, mostly catches were dead whales picked up in the ice.

Turkish torpedo cruiser Berk-i Sevket 1906-1923 (Berk 1923-1955)

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of the Peyk-i Sevket-class torpedo cruisers sometimes called torpedo gunboats. Building authorized in 1903 under a program started end 1890s. Laid down at the Krupp-owned Germaniawerft, Kiel, Germany in February 1906, launched on 1 December 1906, handed over on 13 November 1907, commissioned in November 1907. modernized mid-1920s, rebuilt end 1930s, decommissioned in 1944 and scrapped between 1953-1955. 

Dutch Greenland whaler Dorp West-Zardam returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Amsterdamse courant dated 7 September 1700

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 6 September reporting the arrival off Texel, Netherlands of the Dutch Greenland whaler Dorp West-Zardam catch results unknown.

People in the 17th and 18th centuries held a different geographical view than people today. This means that when we speak of “Greenland whaling”, “the term “Greenland” actually refers to Svalbard, whereas “Davis Strait” refers to whaling off the coast of present-day Greenland. The Davis Strait is a southern arm of the Arctic Ocean that lies north of the Labrador Sea.

Whaler Nimrod spoken according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated 21 July Saturday 1838

An item reported that the barque Mary, captain Swindells, property of Messrs. Hughes and Hosking, returned from the South Sea fishery on Thursday evening. She had spoken the whaler Nimrod on 23 April, 120 barrels

Australian whaling barque Mary returned home according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated 21 July Saturday 1838

An item reported that the barque Mary, captain Swindells, property of Messrs. Hughes and Hosking, returned from the South Sea fishery on Thursday evening. 

Russian battleship Navarin 1890-1905

Navarin©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Tri Sviatitelia©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

British Trafalgar-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Preceded by Dvenadsat Apostolov succeeded by Tri Sviatitelia. Low-freeboard turret ship modelled more or less on the British Trafalgar-class battleships. Ordered on 24 April 1889, laid down by Franco-Russian Works, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 31 May 1890, launched on 20 October 1891, in service in 1896 and sunk during the Battle of Tsushima against the Japanese navy on 27 May 1905. 

German secret magnetic weapon against battleships according to the Australian newspaper Daily Telegraph dated Saturday 10 July 1909

An item dated London, England 9 July referred to a statement of the The Standard correspondent at Berlin, Germany. He wrote that a German invented a huge magnet cog-wheel shaped and which connected by an electric cable with the shore. The magnet when activated could “throw battleships out of their course, and machinery out of gear, thereby rendering the gun useless.” The Monday edition however referred to British experts that this submarine magnet was ‘impracticable and unworkable for many reasons.”

Reorganization and modernization of Chinese navy according to the Australian newspaper The Kalgoorlie Miner dated Friday 5 December 1930

An item dated London, England 2 December referred to an announcement of the British Admiralty that a British naval mission would supported the reorganization and modernization of the Chinese Navy. This was a result of the Sino-British naval agreement of June 1929. As head of the commission was captain H.T. Baillie-Grohman, D.S.O, O.B.E. appointed.(1) He would be promoted to the rank of commodore in the Chinese and travel early 1930 to China to meet at Nanking the Chinese vice-minister of navy vice admiral Chen.(2)

Notes

1. Harold Tom Baillie-Grohman (16 January 1888 Victoria, British Columbia Canada-23 September 1978 Chichester, West Sussex, England), served in the Royal Navy between 1903-1906 ending in the rank of vice-admiral. Between 1931-1933 head of the Chinese commission.

2. This should be Chen Shaokuan. See Chen Shaokuan’s Futile Maval Reform, 1928-1928. Shing Yin Hon, 2019.