French aviso Bellatrix visited the Dutch East Indie in 1932

British Arabis-class minesweeping sloops©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1931-1932 reported that French aviso Bellatrix (1) visited the Dutch East Indies harbours Ambon (2) 15-18 August 1932 and Surabaya 22-29 August 1932. The Indische courant dated 18 August reported that according to a telegram dated 17 August her arrival was delayed with a week. The original planning was that she after visiting Australia would arrive on 17 August at Surabaya. She was now lying at Ambon (2) and would visit Surabaya against the 24th and from there destined for Saigon, French Indochina. The edition dated 24 August reported her passing of the Westervaarwater at 06:00 o’clock and berthing alongside the Oedjoeng quay at 08:45 o’clock. She was described as having a standard displacement of 1,121 tons, armed with 2-5.5” guns, a crew numbering around 100 men, coal fuelled and a maximum speed of 17 miles. Edition date 25 August mentioned a whole program of organized activities for her crew. The edition dated Monday 29 August reported that the day before the French commanding officer, some French and Dutch naval officers and the French consul visited Tosari where they lunched. This morning she departed towards Singapore for supplies and from there towards her station Tahiti. The Soerabijasch handelsblad dated 24 August supplied some more details. According to the French consul Mr. P.J. Bijlard was she destined for Saigon for to undergo some repairs. She came from Sydney, Australia via Koepang, Dutch Timor and would probably on Monday for Singapore. She was commanded by capitaine de frégate Constantin. The arrival at ‘toekang plag” is also detailed described. She was white painted, an old ship with a length of 80 meters and a draught of 4,20 metres, armed with 2-14cm guns (1 fore, 1 aft) and at both sides 2-7.5cm guns.

Notes

1. British Arabis-class minesweeping sloop was ordered in January 1916. Launched by D.&W. Henderson and Company, Partick, Scotland on 29 May 1916, delivered to France in 1916 and deleted in 1933.

2. At Ambon were wreaths laid on the French mass grave on the European graveyard. During the Crimean War (16 October 1853-20 March 1856) visited the French frigate Sybille commanded by Villeneuve Ambound underway towards Kamchatka to join the British-French fleet. By drinking poisoned drinking water broke out an epidemic and between November 1854-February 1855 died 73 crew members. Villeneuve afraid of lacking men asked the resident of Ambon for support especially for being towed as far as Poeloe Manipa. The resident refused while the Netherlands were neutral. Villeneuve protested at the French cabinet without success. The Sybille left at the end without any Dutch support. The 50 guns Poursuivante-class sailing frigate Sibylle laid down at Toulon in November 1829, launched on 7 November 1847, commissioned on 8 April 1851 and stricken on 13 May 1881. During the Crimean War she served in the Far East.