USA transferring frigates to West European countries according to the Dutch newspaper Limburgsch dagblad dated 23 May 1950

An item dated Washington 21 May reported that the first two warships to handed over by the USA to the Netherlands as a result of the Mutual Defence Aid Program.(1) The two frigates named Rinehart and Burrows of 1,240 tons were of a modern type and specialised in escort and anti submarine tasks. The USA was to transfer 12 frigates of the Boswick-class to West European countries of which the Netherlands were to receive around six. Another newspaper De Waarheid dated Wednesday 22 March reported that the American department announced on last Tuesday that these two frigates were handed over as a result of the MDAP but first to be repaired at American naval shipyards. That same day were 40 Dutch officers and sailors to arrive at New York to join the five men which travelled earlier to the States. In April were they to be followed by another 155 men. The newspaper complained about the costs of these men travelling by plane to the USA, namely 284,400 Dutch guilders. Further more she referred that totally 10 frigates were handed over to the Marshall-countries. The newspaper Amigoe di Curacao dated Wednesday 22 March reported that the American department of defence announced the 21st that the two frigates Burrows and Rinehart were handed over to the Netherlands as a result of the MDAP. It was expected that this transfer would be in begin May. The edition dated Thursday 23 March reported that the American department of navy announced that two destroyers as part of the MDAP were handed over to the Netherlands. Forty Dutch officers and sailors were to arrived next Wednesday with the Dutch airline KLM at New York. They were to be informed with all details dealing with the transfer of the frigates. Both ships were now inspected at the navy shipyards at Boston. They were the first American warships to hand over to a foreign country in the MDAP. Total were 12 American destroyers going to other countries. Last week arrived already five officers and sailors at Boston. The crews of the two ships were to number totally 160 men. In April were another 155 Dutch officers and sailors at Boston expected. The Burrows and the Rinehart were begin May to be handed over to the Dutch cabinet.

Note

1. The American president Harry S. Truman signed on 6 October 1949 the so-called Mutual Defence Assistance Act which created the MDAP helping other countries to rebuild their own military forces against the Soviet Union expanding her influence, well known as the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union and the countries participating in the Warsaw Pact).