French protected cruiser Infernet visited the Dutch East Indies in February 1904

French protected cruiser Infernet

Naval History and Heritage Command

Dutch protected cruiser Hr.Ms. Friesland

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1903-1904 reported that the French cruiser Infernet visited Sabang, Dutch East Indies between 1-4 February 1904. The Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated Tuesday 2 February referred to the Straits papers reporting her arrival at Colombo, Ceylon and on Thursday departed bound for Sabang. The edition dated 8 February 1904 reported her arrival on 1 February 1904 for loading fresh water, victuals and coal. Gun salutes were exchanged with the Dutch protected cruiser Zr.Ms. Friesland.

Notes

1. Of the Destrées-class protected cruisers, laid down by Forget et Chantiers de la Gironde, France in December 1896, launched on 7 September 1899, completed in 1900 and wrecked in 1910. Displacement 2.467 tons, armament 2x1-13,8cm/5.4” guns, 4x1-10cm/3.9” guns, 8-4,7cm/1.9” guns and 2-3,7cm/1.5” guns and Speed 20-20,5 knots.The newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 22 April 1902 reported that sailors of her helped the Germans at Dar-es-Salaam, German East Africa extinguishing a forest fire which became a threat for the local gun powder magazine.  The edition dated 30 November 1910 reported that she for 196.144 francs was sold to a shipyard at Stettin, Germany.

2. Of the Holland-class protected cruiser, laid down by Nederlandsche Stoomboot Maatschappij, Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1895, launched on 4 November 1896, commissioned on 16 January 1898, decommissioned on 1 February 1911 to undergo important heavy repairs but not executed and sold to be broken up for ƒ 152.055,- on 28 May 1913. Displacement 3.900 tons, armament 2x1-15cm/5.9” guns, 6x1-12cm/4.7” guns, 4x1-7,5cm/3” guns, 4x1-1pd guns and 2-45cm/18” torpedo tubes, and speed 20 knots.