I used local newspapers, mainly the Vlissingse Courant to get an impression of the building of these three torpedo boats which were to serve within the Dutch East Indies. Papers of the Dutch parliament gave an impression of the costs of one year service. Although I did quite a lot of research in the Dutch Naval Archives dealing with these and other boats and ships of the Royal Dutch Navy I deliberately choose of the newspapers as main source to show how much information these can supply.
Thursday, 18 April 1901. The torpedo boats built for account of the Department of Navy will be named Minotaurus and Python.
Tuesday, 30 July 1901. According to the annual report of the Chamber of Commerce received the Schelde the order for building the torpedo boats Minotaurus and Python for the Department of Colonies.
Monday, 16 September 1901. The torpedo boats Minotaurus and Python built for the navy in the Dutch East Indies had be to ready for trials in the forth coming spring.
Middelburgsche Courant. Monday, 25 August 1902. Vlissingen, the third torpedo boat to built for account of the Department of Navy will be named Sphinx.
Thursday, 4 September 1902. Today was the first of the three torpedo boats named the Minotaurus launched. She was built for account of the Department of Colonies and to service in the Indian Military Navy. The engines and boilers were placed and she was prepared for her trial.
Saturday. 18 October. Flushing, 17 October. Today was the keel laid down of the Sphinx built for account of the Department of Colonies and to serve in the Indies Military Navy. During her second yard trial last Tuesday had the Minotaurus an engine failure which was all ready repaired and coming Wednesday was her official trial.
Thursday, 23 October 1902. Today started the trials with the torpedo boats Minotaurus and Python.
Tuesday, 28 October 1902. Last Saturday were the last of the official trials with the Minotaurus and the Python, all with success. The boats were built for account of the Department of Colonies and to service in the Indian Military Navy after the design of the Hydra and the Scyla. The main dimensions were 130’0’x 13’6” x 8’2” (hold). The Triple compound engines were each fitted out with two water tube Yarrow boilers. The contract speed was 23 knots and the horsepower 1.200 hp. The maximum speed measured during the trial on the mile was 25,38 knots and the average speed during the full power trial of three hours 24,98 knots with 1.333 ihp. These results were remarkable if compared by the boats of the same design built in England. The Minotaurus and the Python were completed for delivery.
Tuesday, 9 December 1902. This month will both so-called fish torpedo boats by the crew of the torpedo training ship Marnix will be brought to the navy board at Willemsoord. During the torpedo experiments will on board of one of the torpedo boats the astatki equipment of one boiler while steaming be tested. The place of the guns and the shooting exercises on board will be commanded by lieutenant 1st class W.T. van Vloten of the navy yard at Willemsoord. Head of the engine rooms during the voyage towards the Dutch East Indies would be the Senior Engineers 2nd class J.A.J. van Horssen en J. de Winde.
Saturday, 14 February 1903. The officer engineer 1st class J. Smit went to Dusseldorf to inspect there the engine parts destined for the Sphinx.
Saturday, 28 March. The Sphinx will be launched tomorrow.
Thursday, 16 April. Within three weeks could the Sphinx start with her trials. She was of the same design as the Minotaurus and the Python which latter boats were all ready delivered after excellent trials. The engines and Yarrow water tube boilers were also constructed at the yard and allowed a speed of 25 miles. The boats were to serve within the Indies military navy and to depart in September with officers and sailors of the Royal Dutch Navy. The dimensions of the boats were 39,5 x 4,1m x 2 metre (draught) with a displacement of 103 ton. They were armed with three torpedo guns for White head torpedoes and two rapid firing 3.7 cm guns. After arrival in the Dutch East Indies were six torpedo boats there available with just in 1900 the Cerberus in service.
Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode. Saturday, 2 May. The Sphinx was last Thursday anchored off the factory under steam.
Wednesday, 6 May. The Sphinx had been in in the dry dock and will be tomorrow or Thursday start at the roads with trial steaming.
Friday, 8 May. Chief engineer 2nd class J.J.A. van Horssen was temporarily appointed for the trials of the Sphinx. If the trials were successful the official trial would be with some days.
Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode. Saturday, 16 May. During the trial last Saturday was her maximum speed 24 miles.
Saturday, 16 May. Yesterday found in the presence of naval authorities the full speed trial of the Sphinx place built for account of the Department of Colonies to be part of the Indian Military Navy. Her main dimensions were 130’0” x13’6’ x 8’7”(hold) and 6’9” (maximum draught). She was armed with three torpedo guns. The triple compound engine and the 2 water tube boilers of the altered Yarrow design supplied the necessary horsepower. Fitted out completely similar to her two sister ships. During the full speed trial of three hours her maximum speed was 24 knots, one knot more as the contracted speed. Her sister ships Minotaurus and Python had a maximum trial speed of 25 knots but the unfavourable weather of yesterday prevented a higher speed. Today was the coal trial of eight hours. Afterwards she could be painted and delivered.
Monday, 15 June. Lieutenant 1st class J.P. Guépin was appointed as her commanding officer of the Sphinx.
Wednesday, 17 June. The Sphinx was today officially handed over to the navy.
Friday, 19 June. The crew of the Sphinx arrived today at Flushing and she was commissioned while under command of lieutenant 1st class J.P. Guépin and to leave for the Nieuwediep at the end of the week. All three ships were to depart in August towards the Dutch East Indies.
Tuesday, 18 August. The torpedo boats were to depart 24 August.
Monday 24 August. Today departed from the Nieuwediep three torpedo boats the Python, Minotaurus and the Sphinx towards Soerabaja, Dutch East Indies to serve there. They were commanded by the lieutenants 1st class C.W. de Visser, J.C. Bentz van den Berg and J.P. Guépin, the latter as senior in years with the command over the small flotilla. Each boat had on board two lieutenants 2nd class and 18 sailors. Underway would be several ports visited to load the necessary. The boats were built at the yard De Schelde at Flushing with the dimensions 40 x 4,12m and a speed of 25 miles allowed by a 1.400 hp triple expansion engine. The 63 men on board of the flotilla had to face a long heavy voyage on board of these uncomfortable boats.
Monday, 31 August. They arrived yesterday at Coruna are to depart tomorrow.
Friday, 4 September 1903.They arrived 2 September at Sevilla while commanded by lieutenant 1st class C.W. de Visser and intended to depart 4 September.
Thursday, 17 September. They arrived 14 September at Palermo and will continue their voyage 17 September.
Wednesday, 23 September. They arrived 19 September at Athens.
Wednesday, 30 September. They arrived 27 September at Port Saïd and will depart today.
Tuesday, 6 October. In another newspaper the Nieuwe Courant was a letter published written by a sailor on board of the boats dated Athens 24 September. The voyage was until now a success without any accidents. The boats worked heavily in sea but despite the sometimes high seas they didn’t make much water. Between Coruna and Sevilla was the 12.000 tons British HMS Hogue met which saluted three times with the war flag the three small boats of which the crews were very proud with this honour.
Wednesday, 21 October. They arrived 17 October at Colombo.
Tuesday, 3 November. They arrived 30 October at Sabang and the next stop would be Sabang.
Saturday, 7 November . They arrived 4 November at Singapore and will depart 7 November.
The Vlissingse Courant of 26 August 1921 reported that all three boats were condemned and to be sold on a public auction at Soerabaja.
A.J. Vermeulen. Schepen van de Koninklijke Marine en die der Gouvernementsmarine 1814-1962 supplied the next details.
All ships were built at the Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde at Flushing, nowadays still our mayor shipyard for warships
Minotaurus, laid down 8 March 1902, launched 3 September 1902, trial 25 October 1902 and commissioned 29 December 1902. Building costs ƒ 204.400,00.
Python, laid down 8 March 1902, launched 18 September 1902, trial 24 October 1902 and commissioned 20 December 1902. Building costs ƒ 204.400,00.
Sphynx, laid down 16 October 1902, launched 28 March 1903, trial 23 May 1903 and commissioned 20 June 1903. Building costs ƒ 204.400,-.
The Handelingen van de Staten Generaal 1914-1915 supplied the following details. Maximum average speed was 17,3 miles with range of 420 nautical miles, most profitable speed was 8,5 miles permitting a range of 1.460 nautical miles, their coal capacity was 20,5 cubic metre.
Service costs in 1913 for all boats each ƒ 1.558 for making etc of stores, each ƒ 1.385 for inventory stores, each ƒ 2.075 for coal and each ƒ 355 for steam oil. For the Python also ƒ 4.013 for docking and repair costs, making totally ƒ 14.979.For the Sphinx also ƒ 17.042 for docking and repair costs, making totally ƒ 16.089.For the Minotaurus also ƒ 9.925 for docking and repair costs, making totally ƒ 15.298.
New details added on 16 June 2012
Python
Minotaurus
Tuesday, 30 July 1901. According to the annual report of the Chamber of Commerce received the Schelde the order for building the torpedo boats Minotaurus and Python for the Department of Colonies.
Monday, 16 September 1901. The torpedo boats Minotaurus and Python built for the navy in the Dutch East Indies had be to ready for trials in the forth coming spring.
Middelburgsche Courant. Monday, 25 August 1902. Vlissingen, the third torpedo boat to built for account of the Department of Navy will be named Sphinx.
Thursday, 4 September 1902. Today was the first of the three torpedo boats named the Minotaurus launched. She was built for account of the Department of Colonies and to service in the Indian Military Navy. The engines and boilers were placed and she was prepared for her trial.
Saturday. 18 October. Flushing, 17 October. Today was the keel laid down of the Sphinx built for account of the Department of Colonies and to serve in the Indies Military Navy. During her second yard trial last Tuesday had the Minotaurus an engine failure which was all ready repaired and coming Wednesday was her official trial.
Thursday, 23 October 1902. Today started the trials with the torpedo boats Minotaurus and Python.
Tuesday, 28 October 1902. Last Saturday were the last of the official trials with the Minotaurus and the Python, all with success. The boats were built for account of the Department of Colonies and to service in the Indian Military Navy after the design of the Hydra and the Scyla. The main dimensions were 130’0’x 13’6” x 8’2” (hold). The Triple compound engines were each fitted out with two water tube Yarrow boilers. The contract speed was 23 knots and the horsepower 1.200 hp. The maximum speed measured during the trial on the mile was 25,38 knots and the average speed during the full power trial of three hours 24,98 knots with 1.333 ihp. These results were remarkable if compared by the boats of the same design built in England. The Minotaurus and the Python were completed for delivery.
Python
Tuesday, 9 December 1902. This month will both so-called fish torpedo boats by the crew of the torpedo training ship Marnix will be brought to the navy board at Willemsoord. During the torpedo experiments will on board of one of the torpedo boats the astatki equipment of one boiler while steaming be tested. The place of the guns and the shooting exercises on board will be commanded by lieutenant 1st class W.T. van Vloten of the navy yard at Willemsoord. Head of the engine rooms during the voyage towards the Dutch East Indies would be the Senior Engineers 2nd class J.A.J. van Horssen en J. de Winde.
Saturday, 14 February 1903. The officer engineer 1st class J. Smit went to Dusseldorf to inspect there the engine parts destined for the Sphinx.
Saturday, 28 March. The Sphinx will be launched tomorrow.
Thursday, 16 April. Within three weeks could the Sphinx start with her trials. She was of the same design as the Minotaurus and the Python which latter boats were all ready delivered after excellent trials. The engines and Yarrow water tube boilers were also constructed at the yard and allowed a speed of 25 miles. The boats were to serve within the Indies military navy and to depart in September with officers and sailors of the Royal Dutch Navy. The dimensions of the boats were 39,5 x 4,1m x 2 metre (draught) with a displacement of 103 ton. They were armed with three torpedo guns for White head torpedoes and two rapid firing 3.7 cm guns. After arrival in the Dutch East Indies were six torpedo boats there available with just in 1900 the Cerberus in service.
Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode. Saturday, 2 May. The Sphinx was last Thursday anchored off the factory under steam.
Sphinx
Wednesday, 6 May. The Sphinx had been in in the dry dock and will be tomorrow or Thursday start at the roads with trial steaming.
Friday, 8 May. Chief engineer 2nd class J.J.A. van Horssen was temporarily appointed for the trials of the Sphinx. If the trials were successful the official trial would be with some days.
Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode. Saturday, 16 May. During the trial last Saturday was her maximum speed 24 miles.
Saturday, 16 May. Yesterday found in the presence of naval authorities the full speed trial of the Sphinx place built for account of the Department of Colonies to be part of the Indian Military Navy. Her main dimensions were 130’0” x13’6’ x 8’7”(hold) and 6’9” (maximum draught). She was armed with three torpedo guns. The triple compound engine and the 2 water tube boilers of the altered Yarrow design supplied the necessary horsepower. Fitted out completely similar to her two sister ships. During the full speed trial of three hours her maximum speed was 24 knots, one knot more as the contracted speed. Her sister ships Minotaurus and Python had a maximum trial speed of 25 knots but the unfavourable weather of yesterday prevented a higher speed. Today was the coal trial of eight hours. Afterwards she could be painted and delivered.
Monday, 15 June. Lieutenant 1st class J.P. Guépin was appointed as her commanding officer of the Sphinx.
Wednesday, 17 June. The Sphinx was today officially handed over to the navy.
Friday, 19 June. The crew of the Sphinx arrived today at Flushing and she was commissioned while under command of lieutenant 1st class J.P. Guépin and to leave for the Nieuwediep at the end of the week. All three ships were to depart in August towards the Dutch East Indies.
Tuesday, 18 August. The torpedo boats were to depart 24 August.
Monday 24 August. Today departed from the Nieuwediep three torpedo boats the Python, Minotaurus and the Sphinx towards Soerabaja, Dutch East Indies to serve there. They were commanded by the lieutenants 1st class C.W. de Visser, J.C. Bentz van den Berg and J.P. Guépin, the latter as senior in years with the command over the small flotilla. Each boat had on board two lieutenants 2nd class and 18 sailors. Underway would be several ports visited to load the necessary. The boats were built at the yard De Schelde at Flushing with the dimensions 40 x 4,12m and a speed of 25 miles allowed by a 1.400 hp triple expansion engine. The 63 men on board of the flotilla had to face a long heavy voyage on board of these uncomfortable boats.
Monday, 31 August. They arrived yesterday at Coruna are to depart tomorrow.
Friday, 4 September 1903.They arrived 2 September at Sevilla while commanded by lieutenant 1st class C.W. de Visser and intended to depart 4 September.
Thursday, 17 September. They arrived 14 September at Palermo and will continue their voyage 17 September.
Wednesday, 23 September. They arrived 19 September at Athens.
Wednesday, 30 September. They arrived 27 September at Port Saïd and will depart today.
Tuesday, 6 October. In another newspaper the Nieuwe Courant was a letter published written by a sailor on board of the boats dated Athens 24 September. The voyage was until now a success without any accidents. The boats worked heavily in sea but despite the sometimes high seas they didn’t make much water. Between Coruna and Sevilla was the 12.000 tons British HMS Hogue met which saluted three times with the war flag the three small boats of which the crews were very proud with this honour.
Wednesday, 21 October. They arrived 17 October at Colombo.
Tuesday, 3 November. They arrived 30 October at Sabang and the next stop would be Sabang.
Saturday, 7 November . They arrived 4 November at Singapore and will depart 7 November.
The Vlissingse Courant of 26 August 1921 reported that all three boats were condemned and to be sold on a public auction at Soerabaja.
A.J. Vermeulen. Schepen van de Koninklijke Marine en die der Gouvernementsmarine 1814-1962 supplied the next details.
All ships were built at the Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde at Flushing, nowadays still our mayor shipyard for warships
Minotaurus, laid down 8 March 1902, launched 3 September 1902, trial 25 October 1902 and commissioned 29 December 1902. Building costs ƒ 204.400,00.
Python, laid down 8 March 1902, launched 18 September 1902, trial 24 October 1902 and commissioned 20 December 1902. Building costs ƒ 204.400,00.
Sphynx, laid down 16 October 1902, launched 28 March 1903, trial 23 May 1903 and commissioned 20 June 1903. Building costs ƒ 204.400,-.
The Handelingen van de Staten Generaal 1914-1915 supplied the following details. Maximum average speed was 17,3 miles with range of 420 nautical miles, most profitable speed was 8,5 miles permitting a range of 1.460 nautical miles, their coal capacity was 20,5 cubic metre.
Service costs in 1913 for all boats each ƒ 1.558 for making etc of stores, each ƒ 1.385 for inventory stores, each ƒ 2.075 for coal and each ƒ 355 for steam oil. For the Python also ƒ 4.013 for docking and repair costs, making totally ƒ 14.979.For the Sphinx also ƒ 17.042 for docking and repair costs, making totally ƒ 16.089.For the Minotaurus also ƒ 9.925 for docking and repair costs, making totally ƒ 15.298.
New details added on 16 June 2012
The Minotaurus. Ordered 15 March 1901, keel laid down 8 March 1902, launched 3 August 1902, trials 11, 22 and 25 October 1902, handed over 29 December 1902 and departed to the Nieuwediep. Stricken in 1921 and sold on 5 August at Surabaya , Dutch East Indies . Build for the Department of Colonies. Yard number 96. With a crew of 20 men, armed with 2-3,7cm guns and 3 tubes. Displacement 83-103 tons (maximum) and as dimensions 130’0”x 13’6¼” x 6’-9 ½’ (2,06 metres with 103 tons). Fitted out with a 3 cylinder triple expansion engine (order no. 193) and two Schelde Yarrow water tube boilers (order no.’s 47-48) supplying 1,280 ihp allowing a speed of 24 miles and with a speed of 8 miles a range of 1,500 nautical miles.
The Python. Ordered 15 March 1901, keel laid down 8 March 1902, launched 18 September 1902, trials 20, 22 and 24 October 1902, handed over 29 December 1902 and departed to the Nieuwediep. Stricken in 1921 and sold on 5 August at Surabaya , Dutch East Indies . Build for the Department of Colonies. Yard number 97. Engine order no. 194 and boilers order no.’s 49-50.
The Sphinx. Ordered July 1902, keel laid down 16 October 1902, launched 28 March 1903, trials 14-23 May 1903, handed over 20 June 1903 and departed. Stricken in 1921 and sold on 5 August at Surabaya , Dutch East Indies . Build for the Department of Colonies. Yard number 103. Engine order no. 202 and boilers order no.’s 53-54.
Source
Archive Kon. Mij. De Schelde 1875-1970 inv.nr. 555 (Gemeentearchief Vlissingen archive no. 214).
