Halfmodel of the Adolf Hertog van Nassau. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.244957
Between 1864 and 1866 Peru and Chile were involved in a war with Spain while Spain wanted to retain her influence of ger former colonies. It started with the Spanish seizure of Chincha islands, which were islands were important for the guano extraction. Perus was at that moment strengthening her navy including the building of the ironclad Independencia. Built at England left she the shipyard still unprepared and went to a Dutch harbour along the Schelde river to complete her fitting out. The Netherlands were neutral and could not tolerate this war preparations. As a result she sent the screw steam ship Zr.Ms. Adolf Hertog van Nassau to oberserve what was going on. Dutch newspaper supplied some details about what happened in that period.
The Heldersche Courant dated 3 February 1866 reported that on the 2nd at 08.00 o’clock the steam frigate Zr.Ms. Adolf Hertog van Nassau (1) left the Dutch navy base at Den Helder departed towards Vlissingen, Netherlands. The reason was to show her there during the temporarily stay at Vlissingen of a Peruvian frigate.
The Middelburgsche Courant dated Tuesday the 6th (edition Monday 20.00 o’clock) reported her passing Vlissingen bound for Terneuzen where the Peruvian warship (according to some a privateer) Independencia was lying.
The Heldersche Courant dated the 7th reported her arrival on Sunday afternoon at Vlissingen. Despite the stormy weather and hollow sea performed she well underway. She was now anchored directly near the Independencia. The Peruvian officers immediately visited her.
The Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode dated the 10th reported that the Adolf Hertog van Nassau was commanded by captain O. Uhlenbeck. The Independencia (20 was still not complete seaworthy and tried to obtain all lacking stores.
The Middelburgsche Courant dated the 15th referred to the newsagent of the L’Independence belge at The Hague who reported that the Dutch government decided to allow that the Independencia with the aid of 70 British labourers was to prepared for sea duties although she would prevent that she received stores and materials from the shore.
The Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode dated the 17th reported that the Adolf Hertog van Nassau just was anchored at Terneuzen because it was a safe anchorage. The Independencia was considered to be a warship and no longer a privateer. Her commanding officer and the other officers were all Peruvians, dressing uniforms and claiming to be part of the Peruvian navy. Her crew numbered between the 250 and 300 men consisting of British, German, French, Peruvian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Greek and American sailors and even some Dutch. The sailors enlisted in England got 2 months wages in advance. Sailors 1st class earned 20, 2nd class 18 and 3rd class 16 dollars monthly. The gunners was monthly 30 dollars paid. The whole crew was enlisted and told that she would attack each Spanish ship they met.
Notes
1. Wood-built non armoured screw steamship 1st class. Laid down on Saturday 4 December 1858 at the navy yard at Vlissingen, Netherlands, launched on Saturday 14.00 o’clock 8 June 1861 and in first part of the 20th century broken up. With a displacement of 3.750 tons were her dimensions 62,36/72,86 x 15,72 x 6,80 metres. Sail-rigged and with a horsepower of 450 hp. Her crew numbered 500 men. The armament of 51 guns existed of 1-long 60pd guns, 16 long 30pd guns, 12-20cm grenade guns and 22-16cm rifled guns.
2. Described as armoured frigate, armoured corvette and ironclad. Her building at the shipyard of Samuda Brothers, Poplar, London was ordered on 1 March 1864 and the same year she was laid down and launched on 8 August 1865. During the war with Chile ran aground on 21 May 1879 and burned. With a displacement of 3.600 tons/3.500 long tons were her dimensions 65,5 x 13,6 x 6,6 metres or 215’x 44’9” x 21’6”,, The horsepower of 2.220 ihp allowed a speed of 12 knots. With a crew numbering 250 men. Her armour consisted of a 11,4cm/4.5” thick belt and her battery was protected by armour of the same thickness. The armament consisted of 2-17,8cm/7” rifled muzzle loading guns, 12-15,2cm/6” rifled muzzle loading guns and 4-30pd rifled muzzle loading guns.
