Despite the huge maritime interests of the Netherlands is for centuries the need of a (strong) navy discussed, even in the time that she still possessed possessions over sea like the Dutch East Indies. The navy was to support the army in defending the homeland in stead of battling with an almost certainly much stronger opponent. Especially in the Dutch East Indies was the navy of far more value. If an enemy could not rule in the waters in the latter area was an invasion of the main island Java with a transport fleet nearly suicide. The Dutch warships were to harass the transport fleet underway or during an actual invasion supporting the Dutch army on land. Year after year was the naval budget discussed in the parliament. In the Second Chamber was the budget for 1897 discussed. In his memorandum supplied minister of navy Van der Wijck (1) more details about the needs of the fleet including budget. Within 13 years was his fleet plan to be executed.
There were totally 3 monitors of this type needed, building costs each 1.280.000 Dutch guilders, totally 3.840.000 Dutch guilders. The all three projected monitors are never realized. Building of the first one was to be started in 1904 and completed in October 1905, the other two to be started in 1906 and completed in October 1907.
Displacement 1.406 tons. Armour deck with a thickness of 5cm. The armament was to consist of 1-21cm L/40 in a 20cm barbette with 15cm thick shield forward, 1-12cm L/40 quick firing gun with closed 5cm thick shield aft, 4-7,5cm quick firing guns and 4-3,7cm quick firing guns. Horsepower 680 ihp allowing a trial speed during 4 hours of 9,5 miles and coal bunker capacity of 60 tons. Maximum draught 2,9cm.
Note
1. Herman Marinus van der Wijck (Djokjakarta, Dutch East Indies 26 ay 1843-Velp, Netherlands 8 December 1932) liberal politician, served in the Royal Netherlands Navy last in the rank of lieutenant 1st class, was secretary general of navy 1 October 1883-9 May 1894 and minister of navy 9 May 1894-27 July 1897. As minister he persuaded with success the parliament to approve in 1896 the building of 3 new protected cruisers Utrecht, Noord-Brabant and Gelderland, which was an increase of the fleet plan of his predecessor J.C. Jansen dated 1892. At that moment were already 3 armoured ships being built, namely the Kortenaer, Piet Hein and Evertsen.
