In her letter dated The Hague, Netherlands 7 February 1910 asked the firm Kaumanns&Co. (representing the firm Weedermann at Flensburg) if the Royal Netherlands Navy was interested in aluminium made portable boats. This kind of boat was used in the German colonies in East- and West Africa and proved well when used by the Schutztruppen. The dimensions were 6,85 x 1,50 x 6/8 (unloaded)-0,30 (loaded with 2.500 kilo) x 0,45 (height). The boat consisted of nine parts included both ends. Apparently the boat could be lengthened of shortened by using more or less parts and could be assembled on water or at land using bolts and nuts. Assemblage on water was preferred to prevent pollution by sand or other dirt. If the men were well experienced could the boat be assembled within 30 minutes. Each part had a weight of 55-60 kilo designed to be portable by just two men. The Schutztruppen used the boats for transporting 30 men in war dress, one machinegun, 10 ammunition casks and other stores. Each part of the boat was watertight making it possible to use the boat even if 1-3 parts were damaged. However the Dutch naval staff answered not to be interested in such portable boats and also believed that experiences with the use of metal object in tropics had not been encouraging. What left is an advertising folder containing some photographs of these boats when used in German East Africa. .
The Royal Netherlands Navy was off course active in the Dutch West Indies (included Surinam) and Dutch East Indies (nowadays) and may be considered as experienced and competent. However you could imagine that these boats would have been useful by marines when operating on land.
Source
Archive Dutch Naval Staff 1886-1942 inventory no. 146 (National Archive, The Hague, Netherlands).
