German armoured cruiser SMS Fürst Bismarck visited the Dutch East Indies in 1907

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French fotoalbum 1900

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1906-1907 reported that the German armoured cruiser SMS Fürst Bismarck (1) visited Tjilatjap between 5-9 February 1907, Kema on 12 February 1907 and Ternate, Dutch East Indies on 20 February 1907. The Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 30 March 1907 reported her arrival on 14 March afternoon at Banjoewangi coming from Singaradja and her departure the same evening to Ternate. The newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 5 February 1907 reported her passing Anjer on 3 February coming from the East. The edion dated the 8th described her visit at Tjilatjap on Monday 4th 16.30 o’clock which seemed to be a surprise while the Straits papers reported that she left Singaporefor the Sunda Islands. The journalist did not understand why she choose for the remote destination Tjilatjap, espionage? She saluted the Dutch flag at 16.45 o’clock with 21 gunshots, the Dutch salute was for unknown reason not earlier as the next day at 08.00 o’clock. Someone claimed lacking gunpowder as reason and which was be sent by train from Surabaya, others said that the Dutch East Indies government had to agree with the salute for reason of cuts. The edition dated 10 April 1907 reported the visit at Ternate on 20-21 February. On board of her was vice-admiral Breurser.

Note

1. Laid down by Kaiserliche Werft, Kiel, Germany on 1 April 1896, launched on 25 September 1897, commissioned on 1 April 1900, stricken on 17 June 1919 and broken up between 1919-1920.