This newspaper reported that the Royal Dutch Navy intended to sell some of her condemned torpedo boats. On 1 October 1919 were decommissioned the Scylla, Minotaurus, Python, Sphynx, Hydra and Draak, each armed with 2-3,7cm guns and with a crew of 14 European and 6 natives.(1)The Scylla and the Hydra were both launched at London in 1900 while the other boats were launched at the yard of the De Schelde at Flushing in 1902, 1903 and 1905. The Scylla, Minotaurus, Python and Sphynx were condemned and they were to be sold on an auction at Surabaya, Dutch East Indies on 5 August 1921. Their dimensions according to the newspaper were 39,60 x 4,10 x 1,06 metres.(1)
Python
Note
1. Dutch Parliament Papers 1914-1915 Annual Colonial Report supplement C Royal Dutch Navy in the Dutch East Indies gives as dimensions 39,62 (maximum) x 4,11 (maximum) x 2,06 metres (maximum) with a displacement of 103 M3. Coal bunker capacity was 20,5 M3, maximum speed Hydra and Scylla 17,5, Minotaurus, Python and Sphynx 17,3 and the Draak 17,8 knots, while the speed with most efficient coal consumption was for the Hydra and the Scylla 8 knots, for the Python, Minotaurus and Sphynx 8,5 and for the Draak 8,7 knots. Their range depended with maximum speed varied between 390-450 nautical miles and with efficient speed 1,460-1,600 nautical miles.
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).
