An
item dated Koln, Prussia 1st reported that the Prussian navy consisted of 3
large ships including 2 steamships and 36 launches and 6 yawls, with a total
armament of 97 guns, 48 officers and 1.753 sailors, On short term would the
naval strength be seriously increased with the buy of 3 ships of the line, 1
frigate and 2 corvettes in England. The Middelburgsche Courant dated 8th
confirmed this item adding that the former Dutch naval officer Schröder, now
serving as commodore in Prussian service was responsible for the purchase.
Note
1. Jan Schröder (15 November 1800 Vlissingen,
Netherlands-2 May 1885 Cleve,
Germany).
Served in the French Batavian navy and since 1814 in the Royal
Netherlands Navy and was honorary dismissed on 1 June 1849. In 1846 however he
was appointed as head of the Prussian naval school for wheelsmen at Dantzig. After
his dismissal he was appointed as commodore in the Prussian navy visiting his birthplace
in 1852 commanding some frigates. Between 1854-1859 he commanded the naval base
at Dantzig and was between 1859-1860
in the rank of vice admiral head of the navy department
at Berlin at
the same time minister. After 1860 he was dismissed. On 2 November 1882 he was
promoted by the Royal Netherlands Navy in the rank of rear admiral honorary
