Model Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The building for account of the Department of Colonies of the two screw steam ships Arend (yard number 15) and Valk (yard number 16)of composite construction was ordered on 30 March 1879. The totally contracted building sum was ƒ 438.000,00 later increased with another ƒ 38.390,00 for extra demands making a total of ƒ 476.390,00. Both ships were delivered on 22 June 1880. The exact building costs of ƒ 335.591,39 show a profit for the shipyard of ƒ 140.798,61. The costs were dived as follows two ships ƒ 238.767,91 (included 48% for labour or ƒ 26.161,68), 2 engines no.’s. 21 and 22 ƒ 77.113,88 (included 65% for labour or ƒ 14.407,00) and 2 steam boilers no.’s 26 and 27 ƒ 19.709,70 (included 70% for labour or ƒ 3.761,10).
Laid down at the shipyard of the Kon.Mij. De Schelde on 21 April 1879, in the thrushes on 17 June, plating fitted on 6 October and launched on13 November, all within one year. The berthed trials was on 1 April 1880, the official on 13 May and she was delivered on 22 June 1880. On 22 June 1880 commanded by Visser departed towards Batavia, Dutch East Indies to serve there within the civil navy.
With a displacement of 337 cubic metres were the dimensions 38,40 (between perpendiculars)-43,36 (over all) x 6,19 x 2,67 (fore)-3,23 (aft) x 3,51 (depth) or 126’0”x 20’0”x ? x 11’6”. Displacement at the launching was 135 ton with a draught of 1,32 (fore)-2,30 (aft) metres. The armament consisted of just 205cm guns. One compound steam engine (nr. 21) delivering via one screw 301 hp, 320 ihp and 65 nhp allowing a speed of 9,7 knots. One boiler (nr/ 26) with a heating surface of 829 square feet and a steam pressure of 65 lbs each square inch.
The Dutch newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 23 April reported that on 21 April at the shipyard of the Kn.Mij. De Schelde in the presence of chief engineer A.J.H. Beeloo the keels were laid down of the Arend and the Valk. Both ships were to serve in the Indies civil navy. The Vlissingse Courant dated Sunday 9 November reported that she was to be launched on coming Thursday at 13.00-14.00 o’clock. She was finally launched on the 13th at 15.00 o’clock. The Arend and the Valk performed their successful trials in the presence of chief engineer Beeloo, lieutenant 1st class Sirks and officer engineer Karpesteijn. The measured mile showed a speed of 10,5 mile while contracted was a minimum of 10 miles. The horsepower was 60 nhp with a coal consumption less of one kilo per ihp in a hour.
Sources
Archive shipyard Kon.Mij. De Schelde 1875-1970 (Municipality Archive Vlissingen) inventory numbers 1216 and card system.
Local newspapers.
