An item reported that the Dutch armoured steam river vessel Zr.Ms. Isala (1) was tested and proved to be very manageable.(2) The speed in shallow water was 7,5 miles and it was expected that with more water below the keel she would have a speed of probably 8 miles. Later was on the river even 8.25 miles achieved. After she was delivered by the shipyard first laid up in conservation before she was commissioned on 8 September 1877 to undergo her trials.
Notes
1. Laid down by Maatschappij De Atlas, Amsterdam, Netherlands on 8 May 1876, launched on 4 October 1876, commissioned on 8 September 1877 and sold to be broken up in 1913.
2. This is contrary to what in 1887 was reported about the the handling of so-called river monitors Isala, Rhenus, Mosa and Merva designed by the Dutch engineer Tideman using a German design for the Rhein and Mosel. The German vessels were indeed notorious for their worse handling. The Dutch vessels were to serve on the Geldersche IJssel and upper rivers.
Source
Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemagt 1876-1877.
