Ordered 31 March 1878 with yard number 13, built by using models and than placing thrushes, launched on 18 August 1879 and the same day while berthed trials, official trial on 11 October and handed over to the navy. Since 1907 training ship, 1911-1913 floating target and in 1913 broken up. Supervisors during building engineer Jz.J Janssen jr and work boss L. Leeuwenburg. The Dutch magazine Onze Vloot dated October 1950 suggested that she was known as the Prins Hendrik.The Dutch newspaper Het Zuiden dated Thursday 18 September 1879 however mentioned a torpedo boat Argus with executed a trial on Saturday 13th in the afternoon on the Schelde. Apparently were the modifications after her last trial real improvements while she was steamed in some thing more as two hours from Vlissingen towards Antwerp.
Contracted building costs ƒ 45.000 Dutch guilders, costs ƒ 43.439,48, profit ƒ1.560,52 and costs while completely fitted out ƒ 47.154. Hull ƒ 12.014,01, engine ƒ 25.291,43 and boiler ƒ 6.134,04.
The Dutch newspaper Zierikzeesche courant dated 24 April 1878 referred to another newspaper Het Vader land reporting that the shipyard Kon.Mij. De Schelde would obtain an order for building 3 torpedo boats while her tender was the cheapest. The Middelburgsche Courant dated reported on 22 October that in the meantime a keel for a torpedo boat was laid down. In the Vlissingse Courant dated 27 October was made clear that was not possible. A torpedo boat had not a keel and so ever could not be laid down. More correctly was to say that the building has started.
Steel-built. Dimensions 24,15 x 3,15 x 0,54 (fore contract)-1,58 (aft contract) x 2,17 (hold) metres and a displacement of 20-29,5 (maximum) tons. Ordered 31 March 1878 with yard number 13, built by using models and than placing thrushes, launched on 18 August 1879 and the same day while berthed trials, official trial on 11 October and handed over to the navy. Ordered 31 March 1878 with yard number 13, built by using models and than placing thrushes, launched on 18 August 1879 and the same day while berthed trials, official trial on 11 October and handed over to the navy. Fitted out with a 2 cylinder engine no. 14 (stroke 11”) supplying at 500 rpm 250-350 ihp while driving one 3-bladed screw allowing a speed of 17 knots. One 120 lbs pressure locomotive boiler no. 17. Coal bunker capacity 5 cubic metres.
Sources
Order administration shipyard Kon. Mij. De Schelde none inventory no.
Archive of the board of the shipyard Kon.Mij. De Schelde 1875-1970 block 214 inventory no. 1216.
