The newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 12 March 1896 reported that the two so-called flotilla vessels built by the shipyard De Schelde for account of the Department of Colonies were to be called Edi and Serdang.(1) Another newspaper De Zeeuw dated 29 April reported that the Edi and the Serdang were to be completed 1 March respectively 1 September 1897.
The newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 1 July reported that the same day [=Saturday 27 June] the keels were laid down of both vessels destined for the Indische militaire marine. The edition dated 12 October reported that the naval engineers 1st class J. Verschoor and H.J.A. Lagaaij were stationed since 1 November at the shipyard responsible for the daily overseeing of the building of both vessels and the engines and boilers manufactured for the Departments of Navy and of Colonies. The edition dated 1 January 1897 reported that lieutenant 1st class P.A.R. Hennequin was stationed at Flushing to be present during the completion of the Edi.
The earlier mentioned engineer Verschoor was according to the newspaper Vlissingse Courant dated 11 January to be appointed as chief engineer of the Edi at the time she was commissioned. He was now overseeing the placing of her engines. According to the edition dated the 18th was she to be launched at the end of the month or beginning next month. The launching caused the temporarily closing of the Tonnenbrug between 10.00-18.00 o’clock on Saturday the 30th warned the engineer of Rijks Waterstaat. The launching was at 14.00 o’clock (edition dated 1 February). Present were naval engineer 2nd class L.J.K. van Waveren stationed at the De Schelde, lieutenant 1st class Hennequin her commanding officer, the board of the shipyard, some authorities and a few interested people. Steel-built was her displacement 810 (when commissioned) and as dimensions 50,60 x 9,40 x 4,61 (hold) metres. The armament included 2-10,5cm guns and 4-3,7cm quick firing guns. Further more she was fitted out with two masts. The steam engines and boilers were also manufactured by the shipyard and although still in the workshops ready for placing in the Edi. It were 2 similar triple expansion engines with copper made surface condensers able to supply 1.110 ihp allowing a speed of 13 geographic miles. Further more was she to be fitted out with some auxiliary engines all of the newest kind. On board were a steam steering equipment, steem anchor winch, searchlights and a device for electric lightening the whole ship. Later ordered the minister of navy (Vlissingse Courant dated 5 February) that she and the Serdang were to be fitted out with oil filters of the British firm A.C. Wells&Co. at London to filtrate used engine oil for reuse. The used oil was stored in oil dumping compartments below the engines and pumped away through these filters. The edition dated 29 March reported her trials the same day and the day before. The official trials were to begun on 20 April. In the evening of 23 april were her searchlights tested which gave as usual a wonderful sight. In the Royal order dated 11th May no. 54 was she to be commissioned on 1 June. Lieutenant 1std class Hennequin was appointed as commanding officer with as etat major the lieutenants 2nd class J.A. van Zadelhoff, J.L.H. Luymes and P. Kruys, officer of health 1st class dr. T. Koppeschaar, officer of administration 2nd class G.W. Erfmann and off course Verschoor.
Her crew arrived on 1 June and she was commissioned. The intention was to tow her the 16th to the inner harbour and to depart the 17th or 18th to Hellevoetsluis. The newspaper De Zeeuw dated the 19th reported that in the afternoon a day earlier three police agents a sailor escorted back to the Edi. He had left the ship dressed as a citizen and probably not with the intention to return to his ship. The Edi could not leave Flushing caused by the worse weather conditions until 2 days later.
The order administration of the shipyard made clear that the contracted building costs for her and her sister ship the Serdang was each ƒ 385.000, one was to be delivered within 1 year, the other within 1,5 year. Fitted out were the costs ƒ 395.092. The real costs were for the shipyard ship ƒ 230.000, engines ƒ 112.000 and boilers ƒ 30.000, totally ƒ 372.000, making a profit of ƒ 13.000.
The tender for her building was sent by the shipyard on 30 January 1896, ordered on 8 February, the contract was signed on 15 February, keel laid down on the lower end of the north slip with yard no. 86 on 27 June, in the thrushes on 12 November, plating fitted on 12 December, launched on 30 January 1897, trials while berthed 27 March and 3 April, technical trial 20 April-3 May, delivered on 1 June departed 21 June to Hellevoetsluis and on 26 June to the Dutch East Indies.
Teak-built. The triple expansion no. 153-154 supplied 1.246 hp (trial with a displacement of 810 tons and a draught of 3,308 metres allowing a speed of 12,63 miles)-1.300 ihp (projected). Two boilers no.’s 248 and 249. With a coal bunker capacity of 150 ton and a speed of 11 knots was her range 1.320 nautical miles and with 8 knots 1.40 nautical miles. Dimensions 50,60 (between perpendiculars)-53,90 (over all) x 940 x 3,65 (while launched 1,44 fore and 2,04 aft metres) and a hold of 4,61 metres or 166’10”-176’10”x 30’10”x 12’0” and 15’2”. Displacement 318 (while launched)-810 (with a draught of 3,30 metres) ton. The crew consisted of 55 Europeans and 45 natives.
Source
Archive Kon.Mij. De Schelde 1875-1970 (Municipality Archive Flushing) order administration.
Note
1. The Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad dated 27 June 1921 reported that she was completely fitted out to serve as school ship and ready for the first voyage with scholars graduated from the nautical course of the Prins Hendrik school although still to be used as warship. Transferred to the government navy in 1911 and finally stricken in 1928.
