France using gunboats at the Rhine against German forces according to the Dutch newspaper Heldersche en Nieuwedieper Courant dated 24 July 1870

An item reported that France intended to use her Rhine gunboats in the war with Germany. These gunboats could be easily dissembled and transported over land to any desired destination. There they were assembled and armed with guns of a heavy calibre. Each boat was commanded by a frigate captain. The crew consisted of one officer and fifteen sailors. At that moment were already several of these boats at Strassbourg collected. The Germans intended to destroy with torpedoes or sink these boats to disturb the shipping while they feared these gunboats on several parts of the River.