In a letter published in this newspaper an anonymous Dutch navy officer described the miserable condition of the Dutch warships serving at that moment in the Dutch East Indies. He was quite cynical in his comment dealing with the condition of the ships ending with the phrase Happy Indies! Happy Navy! Poor Netherlands!
A commissioned approved in January 1873 the use of the Zr.Ms. Den Briel for a period of just three months and than to be decommissioned.(1)
Note
1. Den Briel, also called Brielle, screw steamship 4th class, call sign GQHK, ón stocks at the navy yard at Vlissingen, Netherlands on 14 March 1861, launched afternoon 18 May 1863, commissioned on 1 September 1861, dry docked at the navy yard at Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands 23-30 March and 11-18 May 1864 and 16-16 August 1865, building costs ƒ 258.799,34, part of the Indische Miltaire Marine since 1 January 1868, no longer mentioned on the navy list since 1 January 1872, dimensions 38 (between perpendiculars)-40,7 (over all) x 8,16 x 3,2 metres a displacement of 586 tons, horsepower of 80 nhp/200 ehp,. A speed of 6-7 miles, a crew numbering 75 men and an armament consisting of 2 medium 30pd guns and 4-30pd carronades.
