The Austrian naval shipbuilding program according to the Dutch newspapers in 1856

The newspaper Dagblad van Zuidholland en ‘s-Gravenhage dated 26 January published an item dated Vienna 22 January reporting that the emperor ordered on 2 January the building of 3 ships of the line. The building of which was to start in 1856.

The newspaper De Tijd dated 1 September published an item dated Vienna 25 August reporting that Archduke Ferdinand Max (1) continued with his efforts to strengthen the Austrian navy. Since the begin of the year he added the steam warship Prinz Eugen and the two screw steam frigates Adria and Donau. The navy now numbered 93 ships including 2 ships of the line, 8 frigates, 6 corvettes and 14 steam warships.

The newspaper Algemeen Handelsblad dated 26 August reported in her item dated Vienna 22 August that Archduke Ferdinand Max was doing all efforts to strengthen the Austrian navy and to which end in 1856 a steamship and 2 screw steam frigates were to added to the fleet which would then number 93 and within a year even 100 units. These numbers included 2 ships of the line, 8 frigates, 6 corvettes and between 12 and 14 steamships. The building of the new naval academy at Fiume was to be completed in 19856. The edition dated 7 October published an item dated Vienna 3 October according to which the shipyards were continuous occupied with the building. At Pola [Pula, Croatia] was a ship of the line standing on stocks and after her completion was the keel of a second one lay to be down while the intention was to add 3 ships of the line to the Austrian navy. The two new screw steam frigates Adria and Dona each of 300 hp were mentioned as efficient and very well build.

Note

1. Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph (6 July 1832 Schönbrunn, Vienna, Austria-19 June 1867 Cerro de las Campanas, Querétaro, Mexico), son of Archduke Franz Karl of Austria and princess Sophie of Bavaria. He became emperor of Mexico as Maximilian I (10 April 1864-19 June 1867). In 1854 was he appointed as commander-in-chief of the Austrian navy and was responsible for modernizing the fleet and the naval bases at Trieste and Pola (nowadays Pula).