An item reported that the Siamese navy consisted of a 905-ton destroyer in 1920 bought in England and financed with a national collection named Phra-Ruang.(1) She was armed with 3-10,2cm guns, some smaller guns and 4-53,3cm torpedo tubes, speed 35 miles, 2 old torpedo boats of around 350 ton and 4 old 100 ton torpedo boats and furthermore 2-1.000 tons new armoured gunboats comparable with Dutch flotilla vessels although smaller, armed with 2-15,2cm guns, speed 12-13 miles, smaller gunboats, 2 motor torpedo boats, survey vessels and so on and the royal yacht Maha-Chakri.
Note
1. R-class destroyer. Laid down by John I. Thornycroft&Company, Woolston, England in December 1915, launched on 25 November 1916, completed in February 1917, sold to her builder on 21 June 1920 and resold to Siam in September 1920 and renamed Phra Ruang, stricken in 1957, still used as training hulk and until 2000 still afloat. Now lying ashore encased in concrete as a memorial for the admiral prince Abhkaran Kiartivongse, considered as the father of the Royal Thai Navy.
Note
1. R-class destroyer. Laid down by John I. Thornycroft&Company, Woolston, England in December 1915, launched on 25 November 1916, completed in February 1917, sold to her builder on 21 June 1920 and resold to Siam in September 1920 and renamed Phra Ruang, stricken in 1957, still used as training hulk and until 2000 still afloat. Now lying ashore encased in concrete as a memorial for the admiral prince Abhkaran Kiartivongse, considered as the father of the Royal Thai Navy.
