Model Rijksmusem, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Decision dated 27 June 1826 no. contract signed with Cockerill to deliver the steam engines and copper made boilers using spare parts to be used for the Zr.Ms. Suriname. Contracted costs ƒ 247.850,00. By decisions dated 19 April 1828 no. 2 were supplementary contracts signed for another ƒ7.749,00. By decision dated 29 January 1830 no. 1 was a contract with Cockerill signed to deliver new iron made boilers for ƒ 34.500,00. Eight years later was a signed with Van Vlissingen&Van Heel for new boilers, costs ƒ 29.500,00, which were tested in February 1839. The old boilers were then described as useless. It seems that during her existence the Cerberus had continuous problems with her boilers as by decision dated 4 October 1845 no. 17 was ordered to place the old boilers of the Zr.Ms. Etna in her. Strangely enough is on 15 May 1849 no. 66 decided that the in 1845 removed boilers were to be prepared at Rotterdam to be replaced in her.
Her armament consisted according to the decision dated 17 April 1847 no. 51 of fore a 60pd grenade gun and aft 1-90pd gun. The latter was by decision dated 21 March 1848 no. 15 replaced by 1-60pd grenade gun. Obreen reported 1-80pd gun fore and 2 short 30pd guns aft.
Docked at the navy yard at Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands between 24-30 January 1831, 25-26 March 1841, 6-12 February 1842, 26-31 July 1851, 4-14 November 1853 and 5-31 December 1856.
The Zierikzeesche Courant dated 5 August 1834 reported that the steamship which was now being built at the navy yard at Vlissingen, Netherlands was to be named Cerberus. A similar ship now being built at the navy yard at Rotterdam, Netherlands was to be named Phoenix. The Vlissingse Courant dated the 9th reported that she was commissioned on the 1st with as commanding officer captain lieutenant Van Franck. The Middelburgsche Courant dated 10 November mentioned her lying in the dock [or Dokhaven] at Vlissingen commanded by captain lieutenant Van Franck ready for a trial on short notice. According to the tidings were ship and engines of excellent quality. The Vlissingse Courant dated the 19th reported the arrival on the 18th at 10.00 o’clock of rear admiral A,C. Twent inspector general for the pilotage to attend the trial. On the 19th was steamed towards Terneuzen, Netherlands where was anchored. The next day returned she to Vlissingen and a day towards open sea. An example of her towing service was reported by the Middelburgsche Courant dated 27 June 1840 when she towed the 60-gun frigate Waal from the navy yard at Rotterdam to the one at Vlissingen. The newspaper Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant dated 23 October 1851 reports her on 1 August lying at Hellevoetsluis in conservation needing repairs.
Sources
J.H. Bolland. Slepende Rijk.
J.M. Obereen. Catalogus der verzameling van modellen van het Departement van Marine.
F.C. van Oosten. Schepen onder stoom. Van radar boot tot oceaanstomer.
A.J. Vermeulen. De Schepen van de Koninklijke Marine en die der gouvernementsmarine 1814-1962.
Archive Department of Navy aanhangsel na 1813 no. 83 (National Archive at The Hague, Netherlands).
Archive navy yard Hellevoetsluis no. 507 (National Archive at The Hague, Netherlands).
Several local newspapers.
