Launching of Japanese battleship Yamashiro caused commotion in the Dutch East Indies according to the Dutch newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 3 January 1916

A sarcastic written news item in this newspaper published in the Dutch East Indies reported the launching of the 30.600 tons measuring Japanese battleship Jamasjiro at Jokopuka. That was no problem while the Royal Netherlands Navy was to be strengthened with 2-7.000 tons cruisers who were especially to serve in the Dutch East Indies.

Notes

1. The Yamashiro of the Fuso-class, preceded by Kawachi-class, succeeded by Ise-class, laid down by Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on 20 November 1913, launched on 3 November 1915, commissioned on 31 March 1917 and sunk during the Battle of Surigao Strait on 25 October 1944. Displacement 29.797 (standard)-36.00 (full load) tons and a main armament of 6x2-35.6cm/14”.

2. Since the defeat of the Chinese navy and later the Russian navy in 1904-1905 was Japan regarded as a potential enemy. The never realized 3 Dutch battle cruisers to be built in the 1940's were to serve mainly in the Dutch East Indies. The mentioned 2 cruisers were the Hr.Ms. Java and Sumatra of the Java-class light cruisers, preceded by the Holland-class and succeeded by Hr.Ms. De Ruyter. Displacement 6.670 (standard)-8.087 (full load) tons and a main armament of 10-15cm/5.9”. The Hr.Ms. Java and the De Ruyter were both lost in the Battle of the Java Sea on 27 February 1942 against the Japanese navy.