German survey vessel SMS Planet visited the Dutch East Indies in 1906

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1905-1906 reported that the German survey vessel SMS Planet visited Padang on 25 July 1906, Tandjong Priok between 3-7- August 1906, Makasser on 18 August 1906 and Amboina, Dutch East Indies on 29 August 1906. The Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 21 May reported that she left Kiel, Germany on 21 January for a scientific deep sea expedition in the South Seas. Via Capetown, South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Ceylon, west coast of Sumatra towards Batavia and Macassar finally completing her voyage in September at Matopi. The De locomotief dated 4 October 1906 referred to a tiding dated Ambon 16 September that the German warship which should arrive on 6 August finally came on 29 August. It was however a big disappointment. Instead off one of the largest en newest German warships with a vip on board came a small survey vessel. The Sumatra-bode dated 25 July reported her arrival underway from Colombo, Ceylon to the South Seas, commanding officer captain lieutenant Lebahn. The Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 4 August reported her arrival coming from Emmahaven underway to the South Seas, armed with 5 guns and a crew numbering 8 officers and 85 men. The Soerabaijasch handelsblad dated 4 August reported that she was underway from Malacca to Batavia probably arriving on 4 August at Tandjong Priok. From there she planned to leave on 8 August via Celebes to New Guinea for surveying.(1)

Note

1. Launched at AG Weser, Bremen, Germany on 2 August 1905, commissioned on 16 November 1905 and scuttled off the island of Yap, Caroline Islands [Yap State, part of the Federate States of Micronesia] to prevent capture by the Japanese on 7 October 1914. German colonial empire included German New Guinea with protectorates, German Samoa and the Chinese Kiatschou Bay Leased Territoy.