Drawing of her steamengine no. 43. Open Cultuur Data Project Engines Plant De Schelde
An item reported that the steamship Soerabaja off Nikolajewesk near the river Amur was found by natives completely between the ice frozen. There were no survivors being all killed by the cold conditions. All the bodies were found back on board. She was in the past property of the Rotterdamsche Lloyd but later sold to Germany. During the war between Russian and Japan she loaded a cargo of coal destined from Japan and was afterwards taken over by the Russian government in her service. She went to Vladivostok loaded with weapons for ammunition. When she could not enter this port due to the Japanese blockade she was forced to seek refugee at the Amur. In October 1905 was she ordered no to leave again to Vladivostok before the peace treaty was signed but shortly afterwards she disappeared. The next month was the steamship Erna sent out of Vladivostok for searching her but without success. The Soerabaja (ex-Smeroe) was built in 1884, fitted out with 1.500 ihp engines and a gross tonnage of 2.441 and net tonnage of 1.804 tons.
The newspaper Vlissingse Courant reported that she was to built for the shipping line on Java1, Dutch East Indies for transporting cargoes, passengers and troops. De saloons and cabins were beautiful and comfortable decorated. The newspaper Goessche Courant dated 15 November 1883 reported that the intention was to launch her on Saturday the 17th at 15.00 if the weather and tide allowed it. The newspaper Zierikzeesche Courant dated Wednesday 9 January 1884 reported that she was towed the Wednesday before to the Buitenhaven (outer harbour) to check the compasses. On Sunday the 8th was the official trial executed and she departed immediately afterwards to Rotterdam. Her maiden voyage towards the Dutch East Indies was to start on the 19th. The newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 2 March 1895 reported that she was to be lengthened in the dry dock in that town.
The order administration of the shipyard Kon. Mij. De Schelde supplied the following technical details. The original dimensions were 300’0”(between perpendiculars)-310’0” (over all) x 36’9” x 23’0 and a hold of 27’0” (below the main deck) metres. In 1895 at the shipyard De Schelde lengthened with another 24’0” resulting in a length between the perpendiculars of 319’-7½”. Her deadweight was 3.000 tons (with a draught of 23’0” and her displacement 1.200 (launching)-5.000 tons, net tonnage 2.2227 (original)-2.549 (after 1895) and a net tonnage of 1.630 tons. Three decks and 3 watertight bulkheads. Passenger accommodation for totally 72 persons (28-1st class and 24-2nd class). Two masts. Her building was ordered on 15 May 1882, keel laid down on 7 April 1883 on the south slip with yard number 36, in the thrushes on 26 June, plating fitted on 6 October and launched by Ruyz jr. on 17 November and trials while berthed on 20 December. On 2 January 1884 compasses checked in the Binnenhaven, on the 6th official trial and handed over, docked on the 7th at Rotterdam and her maiden voyage begun on the 19th. Building costs completely fitted out but without bedding and silverware ƒ 500.000. The building of her and the previous ship (nr. 35) resulted in a loss for the shipyard of ƒ 140.000 (according to the annual account even ƒ 151.410,64). Two boilers no. 60 and 61 and 2 cylinder compound surface condensing engine delivering 1.150 (trial with 70 rpm resulting in a speed of 11,5 knots)-1.200 (projected).
