Iron Instruction vessel Castor, yard number 10, ordered 9 February 1878, laid down 6 April 1878, launched 12 October 1878, handed over 28 February 1879, stricken 1910 and broken up 1919. With a displacement of 419 (standard)-440 (maximum) ton and as dimensions 30,00 (between perpendiculars)-35,00 (over all) x 9,00 (on trusses) x 3,10 (loaded)-3,80 (maximum) and a hold of 3,30 metres or 98’5”-114’10” x 29’6 3/8” x 10’10”-12’5½”and 14’3 5/8”. Armed with 2-12cm guns and 2-3,7cm guns and a crew which numbered 28 men.
The newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 17 April 1878 published an item dated Middelburg the 16th reporting that her keel was laid down on the 15th. The Vlissingse Courant dated Thursday 18 April also reported that her keel was laid down on Monday the 15th and not on the 6th as the orderbook suggested. The Zierikzeesche Courant dated 7 August reported that she was to be named Castor and to be used for training boys of the Anna Paulona at Rotterdam. The Middelburgsche Courant dated Thursday 10 October reported that she was to be launched on next Saturday at 15.00 o’clock. The Vlissingse Courant dated Sunday 13th the reported that she was launched that same afternoon just after 15.00 o’clock in the presence of a large number of spectators. The Middelburgsche Courant however confirmed that it was 12 October.
