Dutch torpedo boat Zr.Ms. Cerberus 1887-1920

Built for service in the Dutch East Indies. Of galvanized steel. Building ordered in March 1887, on 15 October ordered to used the design, laid down at the shipyard Kon. Mij. De Schelde with yard number 60 on 17 December 1887 using models, launched on 29 August 1887, trials while berthed on 29 September, technical trials on 3-8 October, official trial on 18 October, delivered on 30 October and departed towards Surabaya on 12 November. Stricken in 1920.

Dokhaven, Vlissingen, Netherlands

The Dutch newspaper Goessche Courant dated 29 March 1887 reported that the torpedo boat which was to be built at the shipyard at Vlissingen was named Cerberus. Another newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 6 August reported that a day earlier her keel was laid down below one of the covered roofs where earlier the Walcheren was built. She was a steel torpedo boat large model for account of the Department of Colonies. The edition dated 25 August 1888 reported the intended launching on Wednesday 29th at 14.00 o’clock. The Vlissingse Courant dated 5 October reported that her first trials on 3 October were successful. Although the weather conditions were not favourable was her speed sometimes 21 miles. On the 7th struck she during a trial on the roads a floating beam and which collision caused the breaking of her aft rudder. Using her fore rudder she steamed back to the dock. The Middelburgse Courant dated the 20th reported that her official trial on Thursday afternoon was successful with a medium speed of 21,21 miles on the measured mile with 375 rpm while contracted was a speed of 19,72 miles.

Fitted out with triple compound engine no. 81 delivering 940 hp at 371 rpm during trials with a displacement of 67 ton, contracted speed 19,5 miles, the horsepower of 800/940 ihp allowed a trial speed of 21,21 miles. One locomotive boiler no. 112 and one Normandy's distillation boiler. Coal bunker capacity 12 cubic metres. Fitted out with a rudder fore and one aft, both independent movable with steam or hand power. One screw. Two masts with sail rigging. The electric equipment was manufactured by the firm W. Smit&Co. of Slikkerveer, Netherlands

Contract building costs ƒ 124.500, for voyage towards the Dutch East Indies ƒ 21.250 and for one lifeboat totally ƒ 14.700,00. Hull with inventory ƒ 47.505,07 (materials ƒ 30.344,69+wages ƒ 11.834,74 + 45% expenses ƒ 5.325,63). Engines ƒ 30.910,00 (materials ƒ 18.978,34+wages ƒ 7.176,16+65& expenses ƒ 4.664,50). Boiler ƒ 10.8333,68 (materials ƒ 7.226,09+wages ƒ 2.254,74+ƒ60% expenses ƒ 1.352,85), totally ƒ 89.157.75 meaning a profit of ƒ 45.392,25. Transport costs towards the Dutch East Indies ƒ 21.250,00, calculated, in practice however ƒ 46.950,40 meaning a loss of ƒ 25.700,49. Costs included completely fitted out for service in the navy ƒ 204.00,000.

Displacement 29 (at launching)-95,35 tons, net tonnage 33,65 tons and as dimensions 38,10 (between perpendiculars)-38,22 (over all) x 3,96 x 1,42 (fore)-2,10 (aft) x 2,44 (hold) metres or 125’0” (between perpendiculars) x 13;0: x 3’6” x 8’0”. Draught at launching 0,38 (fore)-0,775 (aft) metres. Her crew consisted of 14 Europeans and 6 natives.

Her armament consisted of 2-3,7cm guns, 2 torpedo tubes, 1 torpedo gun although until 1898 just one spar torpedo equipment. One searchlight with a range of 11,5 kilometres.

Sources
Order administration shipyard Kon. Mij. De Schelde none inventoryno.
Archive of the board of the shipyard Kon.Mij. De Schelde 1875-1970 block 214 inventory no.