German armored cruiser SMS Fürst Bismarck visited the Dutch East Indies in 1909

Bundesarchiv RM 3/22928 French fotoalbum 1900

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1908-1909 reported that the German cruiser SMS Fürst Bismarck visited Pasoerean, Dutch East Indies between 1-9 February 1909. The Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 1 February mentioned her arrival at Pasoeroean a day earlier. She had continuous wireless contact with the SMS Tiger at Surabaya. The De Locomotief dated Wednesday 3 February reported her arrival at Pasoeroean on Sunday 31 January. Her large draught prevented her coming to Surabaya. Her crew numbered 650 men. The edition dated a day earlier referred to the Straits Times dated 25 January that her full orchestra was on board of the Rumphius lying at Singapore during a special evenement to entertain the guests. The next day departed this brand new ship of the Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij to Java serving on a 14 days line between Java, Singapore and Deli.

Note

1. Preceded by Victoria Louise-class succeeded by Prinz Heinrich, laid down by Kaiserliche Werft, Kiel on 1 April 1896, launched on 25 September 1897, commissioned on 1 April 1900, decommissioned on 31 December 1918, stricken on 17 June 1919 and broken up between 1919-1920.