French aviso Aldebaran visit Sabang, Dutch East Indies in 1932

Aldebaran at Tandjong Priok and her commanding officer. 

Source De locomotief dated 3 December 1932

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

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1931-1932 reported that the French aviso Aldebaran (1)visited Sabang between 12-16 August 1932. In the following edition is nothing said about other visits the same year. Newspapers supplied also details about the November-December visits.

De Sumatra Post dated 30 September 1932 reported the arrival of the French gunboat Aldebaran in the afternoon of 29 September at Sabang. She left Colombo, Ceylon on 23 September towards Saigon, French Indochina to replace the gunboat Bell. Commanding officer is André le Pelletier. Probably she would stay 4 days at Alddebaran. Her crew numbered 3 officers and 103 men.

De Indische courant dated 1 October reported her arrival at Sabang on 28 September 16:00 o’clock. She was expected to arrive end August but waited at Colombo, Ceylon for better weather while the monson was heavy. On 3 October was planned to leave for Saigon, French Indochina.

De Indische courant dated 24 November reported an non-official visit to Batavia 27 November -1 December and to Ambon 6-10 December.

Soerabijasch handelsblad dated Tuesday 29 November reported hat she had been expected at Tandjong Priok on Sunday 27 November but this was changed into 1 December. Commanded by capitaine de frégate Pelletier.

De Locomotief dated Friday 2 December 1932 reported her arrival at Tandjong Priok on Thursday morning around 09:30 o’clock and berthing along the East buoys. After a visit of 4 days she would leave for Ambon. The edition dated 3rd reported that from Ambon she would leave for the French possessions in the Pacific. Her crew numbered 6 officers and 91 sailors.

Bataviasch nieuwsblad dated 6 December reported her departure on 5 December 12:45 O’clock towards Ambon. From there she would via Townsville, Australia go to her destination Tahiti.

Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 22 December reported her arrival at Ambon (2) on 10 December and berthed along the small of Digoel-quay.

Notes

1. A British Arabis minesweeping sloop, ordered in January 1916. Launched by Barclay Curle and Company, Whiteinch, Scotland on 19 May 1916, delivered to France in 1916, commissioned on 3 July 1916, stricken at Saigon, French Indochina on 13 October 1934 and sold to be broken up on 15 January 1935.

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. 

French aviso Vitry le François visited Sabang, Dutch East Indies in 1932

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1931-1932 reported that the French aviso Vitry le François visited Sabang, Dutch East Indies between 14-16 March 1932(1). The Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 2 March reported that the submarine mother ship underway from France towards French Indochina would visit Sabang between 14-17 March. The De Sumatra Post dated 15 March called her a minelayer with a crew numbering 6 officers and 80 men. The De Indische courant dated Thursday 17 March reported that she arrived on the [Monday] 14th [at 09:30 o’clock] and would depart next Wednesday towards Saigon, French Indochina. The Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated Wednesday 16 March referred to press agency Aneta which reported from Medan that her crew laid a wreath for the French sailors buried during the First World War at Sabang.(2) Later telegraphed Aneta that she was departed that day [at 6:30 o’clock] towards Saigon with a planned visit underway at Singapore.

Notes

1. Arras-class aviso preceded by Marne-class succeeded by Ailette-class. Laid down by Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire (ACL), Saint-Nazaire, France in 1918, launched in March 1920, stricken on 22 October 1935 and sold to be broken up in 1935.

2. At Sabang were ensign Jacques Carissan and sailor Hamon Joseph Clairon buried after they died in the local hospital. Both men were wounded in the Battle of Penang of 28 October 1914 when the German light cruiser SMS Emden sunk the French destroyer Mousquet. The men were dropped by the same Emden at Sabang. 

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. 

Portuguese iata Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso 1793-1807

Of the crown, aviso in 1793, mentioned between 1793-1807.

Source

A. Marques Esparteira. Catalogo dos navios brigantinos (1640-1901). Lisboa, 1976.

German torpedo-armed aviso SMS Zieten 1875-1921

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Laid down by Thames Iron Works, Blackwall, London, England in 1875, launched on 9 March 1876, completed on 15 July 1876, commissioned on 1 August 1876, decommissioned on 5 July 1919, stricken on 6 December 1919 and sold to be broken up on 18 April 1921. 

Portuguese president Carmona visiting the Azores in July 1941

In his letter No. 888 dated Lisbon 16 July 1941 reported the German naval attaché in Portugal to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine at Berlin that the Carvalho Araujo which on board president Carmona (1) would depart on 23 July to the Azores. The escort consisted of the destroyers Dao and Lima and the aviso Afonso de Albuquerque. Carmona was accompanied by the minister of navy Commandante Bettencourt (2) with lieutenant Evaristo Gonçalves as adjutant and as naval adjutant of the president Fregattenkapitän Silva Monteiro (who was owner of the Ordens vom Deutschen Adler).

Notes

1. António Óscar de Fragoso Carmona (24 November 1869 Lisbon, Portugal – 18 April 1951 Lisbon, Portugal), president of Portugal 1926-1951.

2. Manuel Ortins Torres de Bettencourt (12 June 1982 Santa Cruz da Graciosa–8 July 1959 Cascais , Estoril).

Source

Bundesarchive. RM 11-17. German naval attaché in Portugal. 

German paddle steamship SMS Preussischer Adler 1846-1879

Maritime Museum Hamburg Germany

Succeeded by Nix-class. Laid down by Ditchburn&Mare, Blackwall, London, England in 1846, launched in 1846, aviso on the packet line Prussia-Russian Empire, reuisitioned by the navy in 1849, converted into an aviso, stricken on 27 November 1877 and sunk as target during torpedo experiments on 26 June 1879. Displacement 1,171 (design)-1,430 (full load) tons and as dimensions 62.72 (over all) x 9.6 (hull)-16.2 (paddle wheels) x 3.3 metres. Speed 10.5 knots. Crew numbered 110 men incuded 10 officers). Armament consisted of 2-25 pd mortars. 

British warships HMS Centurion, Bonaventure and Alcrity arrived at Shanghai, China accoridng to the Dutch newspaper De locomotief dated 28 July 1900

Centurion-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Astraea-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported the arrival at Shanghai, China of the British flagship HMS Centurion (1), cruiser Bonaventure (2) and aviso Alcrety (3). The Boxer Rebellion, Boxer Uprising- Yihetuan Movement between 1899-1901 was reason for their visit.

Notes

1. Part of Centurion-class battleships preceded by Royal Sovereign-class succeeded by HMS Renown. Designed by Director of Naval Construction Sir William Henry White 2 February 1845 Plymouth, England-27 February 1913 London, England) under the Naval Defence Act 1889 to serve on the China and Pacific stations able to confrontate with succes the Russian armoured cruisers of that time armed with 20.3cm/8” guns which were a threat for the British merchant shipping in times of war.(1) For this purpose their main armament consisted of 2x2-25.4cm/10” guns. Laid down by HM Dockyard, Portsmouth, England on 30 March 1890, launched on 3 August 1892, commissioned on 14 February 1894, refitted 19 September 1901-3 November 1903, decommissioned on 1 April 1909 and sold to be broken up on 12 July 1910.

2. Part of Astraea-class protected cruisers preceded by Apollo class succeeded by Eclipse-class, laid down by Devonport Dockyard in December 1890, launched on 2 December 1892, commissione on 5 July 1894, conversion into a depot ship for submarines in 1906-1907 and sold on 12 April 1920.

3. HMS Alacrity. Part of Surprise- 3rd class cruisers laid down on 14 February 1884, launched on 28 February 1885, completed in July 1885 and sold at Hong Kong in September 1913. 

Bulgarian torpedo aviso Nadjezda in 1908

Dimensions 67 x 8.3 x 3.1 metres. Displacement 898 tons. Horsepower 2,600 hp. Speed 17 knots. Armament 2-10cm guns, 2-6.5cm guns, 2-4.7cm guns, 2 torpedo tubes. Launched in 1898. Remarks double screws. Water tube boiler. Wireless telegraphy.

Source

“Die Donauflotillen”, in Die Flagge. Organ des Vereines zur Förderung der österreichischen Schiffahrt, nr. 11, 1908. 

German aviso SMS Pfeil 1882-1922

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French photo album 1900

Part of Blitz-class preceded by SMS Zieten succeeded by SMS Greif, laid down by Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven, Germany in 1881, launched on 16 September 1882, commissioned on 25 November 1884, stricken on 16 February 1922 and broken up. 

German aviso SMS Comet 1891-1921

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French photo album 1900

Part of Meteor-class preceded Wacht-class succeeded SMS Hela, Laid down by AG Vulkan, Stettin, Germany in November 1891, launched on 15 November 1892, commissioned on 29 April 1893, decommissioned mid 1896, became afterwards a storage hulk for naval mines and broken op in 1921. 

German aviso SMS Meteor 1888-1919

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French photo album 1900

Part of Meteor-class, laid down by Germaniawerft in December 1888, launched on 20 January 1890, commissioned on 19 May 1891, harbour defence vessel 1904, barracks ship 1911-1919 and sold to be broken up in 1919.

German aviso SMS Blitz 1881-1921

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French photo album 1900

Part of Blitz-class preceded by SMS Zieten succeeded by SMS Greif. Laid down by Norddeutsche Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Kiel, Germany in 1881, launched on 26 August 1882, commissioned on 28 March 1883, stricken on 8 March 1921 and broken up the same year. 

French aviso Vaucluse visited the Dutch East Indies in 1907

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1907-1908 reported that the French cruiser Vaucluse (1) visited the Dutch East Indies harbour Tandjong Priok between 12-19 November 1907. The Dutch newspaper De locomotief dated 16 November 1907 reported her arrival at Tandjong Priok on 13 November. Described as an advice yacht annex transport commanding officer [François Marie Louis] De la Croix de Castries. Lacking salute guns she was not able to make the common salute. She entered the harbour just to bunker coal. Next Monday she would continue her voyage coming from Noumea, French New Caledonia and Port Kennedy, Australia bound for Colombo, Ceylon. Made of wool in 1901, measurement 1,613 tons, horsepower 900 hp, armament of 6 guns and a crew of 132 men including 9 officers.

Note

1. Meurthe type. Building ordered in October 1885, laid down at Rochefort, France in May 1886, launched on 17 April 1901, sunk after an English air attack in February 1943 and broken up in 1948.

Source

Stephen S. Roberts, French Warships in the Age of Steam 1859-1914.  

French despatch vessel Craonne underway towards the Far East according to the Weekly Intelligence Summary No. 5 dated 5 February 1921

An item reported that the French despatch vessel Craonne departed from Toulon, France on 1 February to be added to the Far Eastern Division.(1)

Note

1. Part of Arras-class Craonne sub-class avisos preceded by Marne-class succeeded by Ailette-class, laid down by Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranéee, La Seyne-sur-Mer, France in 1917, launched in September 1919 and sold to be broken up in 1934.

Source

The National Archives, Kew Gardens, England CAB-24-119-53

German aviso SMS Greif 1885-1921

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French photo album 1900

Preceded by Blitz-class succeeded by Wacht-class, laid down by Germaniawerft, Kiel, germany in 1885, launched on 29 July 1886, commissioned on 9 July 1887, stricken on 25 Octpber 1912, hulked in 1915, mine storage hulk in 1917 and broken up in 1921.

German aviso SMS Grille 1856-1920

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French photo album 1900

Preceded by Nix-class succeeded by SMS Loreley, laid down by Chantiers ey Ateliers Augustin Normand, France in 1856, launched on 9 September 1857, commissioned on 3 June 1858, tender 1915, stricken on 7 January 1920 and broken up. Served as aviso, yacht, survey vessel and training ship. 

German imperial yacht SMS Hogenzollern visited Bodö, Norway according to the Dutch newspaper Rotterdamsch nieuwsblad dated 2 April 1892

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French photo album 1900

An item reported that the German emperor Wilhelm II intended to arrive on 9th July with his yacht Hohenzollern (1) in the harbour of Bodö and from immediately go to the whaling station Skaarö to embark a whaler for a whaling cruise. The rumours that his yacht would be fitted out to act as a whaler were nonsense. A yacht of this size was suitable for such purpose.

Note

1. Aviso. Launched by AG Vulcan, Stettin, Germany on 27 June 1892, commissioned on 8 April 1893, stricken on 27 December 1920 and broken up at Wilhelmshaven, Germany in 1923.

German imperial yacht SMS Hohenzollern 1892-1923

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French photo album 1900

Aviso. Launched by AG Vulcan, Stettin, Germany on 27 June 1892, commissioned on 8 April 1893, stricken on 27 December 1920 and broken up at Wilhelmshaven, Germany in 1923.

German aviso SMS Jagd 1887-1920

Source Bundesarchive RM 3/22928 French photo album 1900

Of the Wacht-class preceded by SMS Greif succeeded by Meteor-class. Laid down by AG Weser, Bremen, Germany in 1887, launched on 7 July 1888m commissioned on 25 June 1889, stricken in 1910, hulked, later until 1920 torpedo training platform and sold to be broken up.