German protected cruiser SMS Hansa visiting the Dutch East Indies in 1900

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French fotoalbum 1900

The Dutch Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1900-1901 reported that the German cruiser 2nd class Hansa (1) visited Tandjong-Priok, Dutch East Indies between 10-16 January 1900. The Dutch newspaper De locomotief dated 4 January reported the expected arrival about 14 at Tandjong Priok of the Hansa coming from Bangkok, Siam with on board admiral Fritze (2) who was replacing prince Heinrich (3) as commanding officer of the German naval force in the Chinese waters. The Sumatra-courant dated 24 January reported that Hansa arrived 18 January at Tandjong Priok and was to arrived on 7 February at Emmahaven. On board was rear admiral Fitze, her commanding officer was captain Pohl, her état-major numbered 24 officers (including 3 staff officers and her crew totally 510 men. After some cruising in the Java Sea she would continue her voyage. The De locomotief dated 31 January published an item dated Surabaya 31st reporting that she was lying in the roads of Probolinggo waiting for the vice admiral and some officers to return from Tosari. The next stop was Bali and probably Lombok. The Sumatra-courant dated Monday 5 February reported her arrival at Tandjong Priok on Thursday morning with the common 21 shots salute and another 15 shots for the Dutch vice admiral Stokhuijzen. The Hansa could not enter the harbour due to her ‘immense’ draught. Rear admiral Fritze visited the same morning the Governor-General and the Commanding of the Naval Force. Outside Tandjong Priok she had been exercising.

Notes

1. Part of Victoria-Louise-class protected cruisers preceded by Kaiserin Augusta succeeded by Fürst Bismarck, laid down by Stettiner Maschinenbau AG Vulcan, Stettin with yard number 235 in 1896, launched on 12 March 1898, commissioned on 20 April 1899, modernized in 1907-1909, became a training ship in 1909, barracks for torpedo boat crews in the First World War, stricken on 6 December 1919 and broken up in 1920.

2. Rear admiral Ernst Fritze (20 April 1850 Hagenow-27 Febuary 1941 Naumburg, Saale).

3. Prince Albert William Henry of Prussia (14 August 1862 Berlin, Prussia-20 April 1929 Schloss Hemmelmark, Barkelsby, Schleswig-Holstein), served in the Imperial German Navy betwen 1872-1919 ending his career as grossadmiral (grand admiral).

4. Fredrik Jan Stokhuyzen (26 November 1842 Arnhem, Netherlands-2 March 1930 The Hague, Netherlands) Chief Naval Staff 1895-1898, commanding officer naval force in the Dutch East Indies 1898-1902. Left the service on 1 July 1902.