British screw steam sloop HMS Rinaldo visited the Dutch East Indies in June 1904

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1903-1904 reported that the British sloop HMS Rinaldo visited Sabang, Dutch East Indies between 13-17 June 1904. The Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 27 June reported her visit, bunkering coal and leaving for Singapore. The Soerabaijasch handelsblad dated 18 August 1904 referred to the Straits Times reporting that she returned from Brunei at Laboean. She anchored on 5 August on a distance of 15 miles of Brunei as requested by the British consul. A steam barge was sent to consult the doctors. It became clear that already more as 1.000 inhabitants dies of smallpox. The Rinaldo was to stay at Laboean for the next 3 days waiting for more details if assistance was needed.

Notes

1. Part of the Condor-class screw steam sloops, launched by Laird Brothers, Birkenhead, England on 25 May 1900 and sold on 21 October 1921.

2. Sabang was an important coal bunker station visited by Dutch and foreign merchant and warships.