French marshall Jofre visiting the Far East and USA according to the Weekly Intelligence Summary (W.I.S.) No. 44 dated 5 November 1921

sister ship Dupetit-Thouars. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the French marshal Joffre (1) went on 11 November at Marseille, France on board of the ss Porthos bound for the Far East. At Singapore he was to go on board of the flagship Montcalm (2) destined to Saigon and around 20 December he intended to visit the king of Siam [Thailand] (3) at Bangkok and from there the kings of Cambodia (4) and Annam (5). At Tongkin he would rejoin the Montcalm bound for Yokohama, Japan, planned arrival between 20-25 January 1922. After a month he would continue his voyage to China via Seoul, Korea and Mukden and the USA before returning home.

Notes

1. Joseph Jacques Césare Joffre (12 January 1852 Rivesaltes-3 January 1911 Paris), Chief of the Army Staff 1911-1916 and Commander-in-Chief of the French forces on the Western Front 1914-1916.

2. Part of Gueyon-class armoured cruisers, preceded by Jeanne d’Arc, succeeded by Dupleix-class, laid down by Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, La Seyne-sur-Mer, France on 27 September 1898, launched on 27 March 1900, commissioned on 24 March 1902, decommissioned and reclassified as accommodation ship on 28 October 1928, renamed Trémintin on 26 September 1934 and sunk at Brest, France during an RAF air attack on 16 August 1944.

3. Vajuravudh (1 January 1881-26 November 1925), titled Rama VI.

4. Cambodia was a French protectorate between 1863-1953 (in 1945 a Japanese puppet state), king was Sisowath (7 September 1840-9 August 1927) between 27 April 1904-9 August 1927.

5. Born as prince Prince Nguyễn Phúc Bửu Đảo (8 October 1885 – 6 November 1925), emperor as Khải Định between 18 May 1916-6 November 1925. Annam [Central Vietnam] and Tonkin [North Vietnam] were French protectorates between 1883-1945. Annam, Tonkin and Cochinchina [South Vietnam]formed since 1887 French Indochina.

Source

The National Archives, Kew Gardens, England CAB-24-129-73

Cambodia buying French gunboats according to the Dutch newspaper Amigoe di Curacao dated 7 August 1964

An item reported that Cambodia bought two guided missile coastal gunboats in France.

Cambodian general cargo ship (ex- Mukhtar Auezov 1980-1998) Megra 1998-2004 (Agzu 2004-no longer existing)

Russia-flagged, IMO 7833200, MMSI 273443090 and call sign UGVY as the Agzu. Cambodja-flagged, homeport Phnom-Penh, owned by the Esprit Maritime Service as the Megra. Gross register tonnage 4.68=94 tons, net register tonnage 1.896 tons, deadweight 3.900 tons and as dimensions 124,42 x 16,41 x 5,051 metres. Ice-strengthened. Speed 13 knots. TEU-capacity 165. Built at the Navashinskiy Shipyard, Navashino, Russia as the Mukhtar Auezov in 1980. Renamed in December 1998 Megra and in April 2004 Agzu.

Ukrainian general cargo ship Sormovo 4 or Sormovo IV 1983) 2017

Gent, Belgium 10 November 2016

Cambodia-flagged, homeport St. Petersburg, Russia?, IMO 8135100, MMSI 514788000 and call sign XUHN4. Built by Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia in 1983. Owned by MD Shipping, Odessa, Ukraine and managed by OSS, Petrozavodsk, Russia. Ex-Sormovskiy 46 renamed 1992, Sergey Losev renamed August 2012, Vama renamed May 2014 and Major (Cambodia-flagged, MMSI 514788000 and call sign XUHN4) For sale as Sormovo 4 on an action at Ghent on Saturday 4 November 2017, mentioned as ex-Vama and ex-Major. She is then still lying in the harbour of Ghent.

Russian dry cargo ship Nikolaj Dobroljubov 1967-1967 (Nika 1967-1998

Russia-flagged, homeport Odessa [Ukraine], IMO 6712904 and call sign ULAK. As the Nika Cambodia-flagged, homeport Phnom Penh. Ex-Nikolaj Dobrolyubov renamed October 1967. Built by Uljanik Shipyard, Pula, Yugoslavia (Croatia) in 1967. Of the Black Sea Shipping Company. Broken up at Alang, India in 1998. Part of the Pula-class first series consisting of the Pula, Dmitry Gulia, Nazym Khikmet, Arkady Gajdar, Alexandr Grin, Musa Dzhalilj, Demian Bednyi, Alexandr Gertsen, Vissarion Belinsky, Nikolav Ogarev, Nikolay Gogolj, Nikolay Dobroljubov, Anton Chekhov, Novikov-Priboy and Aleksandr Serafimovich. The second series consisted of the Dubrovnik, Alexandr Blok, Sergey Yesenin, Vladimir Maykovskiy, Suleyman Stalskiy, Gavrill Derzhavin, Vladimir Korolenko, Ivan Kotlyarevskiy, Konstantin Paustovskiy and Gamzat Tsadasa.

General technical characteristics. Two-deck and two island, full-scantling and with a closed shelter deck. Deadweight cargo capacity 11.425 tons, deadweight 14.170 tons, gross tonnage 11.287 tons, net tonnage 6.080 tons and as dimensions 148,38 (between perpendiculars)-159,42 (over all) x 21,24 (moulded) x 12,65 (depth to main deck) x 26,30 (height of mast acorn above main deck) x 1,10 (fore light)/9,40 (fore loaded)-3,47 (mean light)-9,72 (mean loaded|)-5,85 (light aft)/10,08 (aft loaded) metres. Speed 18,00 (full load)-20,48 (in ballast). Total bale cargo capacity 20.369 cubic metres and grain cargo capacity 22.276 cubic metres. For handling cargo were 12-5 tons derricks available, she lacked the 2-60 ton derricks of some of her sister ships. 

Russian dry cargo timber carrier Sovetskiy Voin 1968-1998 (Mohamed R 1998-2002, Lemozend II 2002, Afak 2002-2003)

IMO 6908929. Project 1574. Call sig ULZF. Renamed Mohaned R in June 1998, Lemozen II in June 2002 and Afak (Cambodia-flagged) in April 2003. Broken up at Alang, India on 26 April 2003. Sister ship Konstantin Shestakov.

Single-deck two island type. Deadweight 2.230 (general cargo)-2.360 (timber cargo and 110 tons liquid ballast) tons, deadweight cargo capacity 2.000 (general cargo)-2.130 (timber cargo and 110 tons liquid ballast) tons, gross register tonnage 1.912,96 tons, net register tonnage 758,18 tons and as dimensions 74,9 (between perpendiculars)-81,9 (over all) x 12,5 (moulded) x 6,0 (depth to main deck) and draught fore 5,12 (general cargo)-5,32 (timber cargo and 110 tons liquid ballast)-mean 5,12 (general cargo)-5,43 (timber cargo and 110 tons liquid ballast) metres. Total cargo capacity 2.870 (bale)-2.980 (grain) cubic metres. Deck space for timber 1.370 cubic metres. Range 4.000 nautical miles and speed 14,2 (in ballast)-13,1 (full loaded) knots. 

Russian dry cargo ship Koreiz 1968-1995 (Inas Junior 1995-1999, Sani 1999-2000, Hani 2000-no longer existing)

Russia-flagged, IMO 6912891 and call sign UOVU. Renamed Inas Junior in 1995, Sani in April 1999 and Hani in October 2000. Last Cambodia-flagged. Azov Shipping Company, Zhdanov. Of the Sibirles II/Krymsk-type, project 450B consisting of the Krymsk, Kilya, Krasnoarmeisk, Koreiz, Krasnoturinsk, Kirensk, Katangli and Krasnopolye. Built by Santierul Naval, Galati, Romania in 1968.

Deadweight timber 4.230 tons, deadweight grain 3.860 tons, gross register tonnage 3.172 tons and net register tonnage 1.370 tons. General technical characteristics of the Sibirles I type. Deadweight 3.797 (general cargo)-4.167 tons (timber), deadweight cargo capacity or net deadweight tonnage 3.337 (general cargo)-3.360 (timber) tons, gross register tonnage 3.231 and net register tonnage 1.488 tons. Dimensions 104,40 (over al) x 14,37 (moulded) x 7,12 (depth to man deck) x 22,40 (height mast above main deck) x loaded draught fore 5,92 (general cargo)-6,3 (timber) - mean 6,05 (general cargo)-6,37 (timber) –aft (6,19 general cargo)-6,42 (timber metres and light draught 1,19 (fore)-2,56 (mean)-3,94 (aft) metres. Four holds. Total bale capacity 5.085 and grain 5.433 cubic metres. Speed 13,5 (full loaded)-14,0 (in ballast) knots.

Russian dry cargo ship Katangli 1968-2000 and Cambodian Imperatorskaya Gavan 2000->2007

Russia-flagged , call sign UOWU and IMO 6911988. Of the Sakhalin Steamship Company, Kholmsk. Of the Sibirles II/Krymsk-type, project 450B consisting of the Krymsk, Kilya, Krasnoarmeisk, Koreiz, Krasnoturinsk, Kirensk, Katangli and Krasnopolye. Since 1993 of the Saman Ship Co., Kholmsk. Renamed Imperatoskaya Gavan of Cambodia in 2000. Built by Santierul Naval, Galati, Romania in 1968.

Deadweight timber 4.230 tons, deadweight grain 3.860 tons, gross register tonnage 3.172 tons and net register tonnage 1.370 tons. General technical characteristics of the Sibirles I type. Deadweight 3.797 (general cargo)-4.167 tons (timber), deadweight cargo capacity or net deadweight tonnage 3.337 (general cargo)-3.360 (timber) tons, gross register tonnage 3.231 and net register tonnage 1.488 tons. Dimensions 104,40 (over al) x 14,37 (moulded) x 7,12 (depth to man deck) x 22,40 (height mast above main deck) x loaded draught fore 5,92 (general cargo)-6,3 (timber) - mean 6,05 (general cargo)-6,37 (timber) –aft (6,19 general cargo)-6,42 (timber metres and light draught 1,19 (fore)-2,56 (mean)-3,94 (aft) metres. Four holds. Total bale capacity 5.085 and grain 5.433 cubic metres. Speed 13,5 (full loaded)-14,0 (in ballast) knots.

Russian dry cargo ship Kransnoarmeisk 1968-1997 (Noor Alhasan 1991-2001, Noorma 2001-2002, Toufic 2002)

Azov Shipping Company, Zhdanov. Of the Sibirles II/Krymsk-type, project 450B consisting of the Krymsk, Kilya, Krasnoarmeisk, Koreiz, Krasnoturinsk, Kirensk, Katangli and Krasnopolye. Built by Santierul Naval, Galati, Romania in 1968. Deadweight timber 4.230 tons, deadweight grain 3.860 tons, gross register tonnage 3.172 tons and net register tonnage 1.370 tons. Arrived at Alang on 10 December 2002 to be broken up. Of Azov Shipping Company, Mariopol, Ukraine since 1997. Renamed Noor Alhasan in 1999 of Shehadah Marit Co., Cambodia, Noorma in 2001 of S.M.C. Ltd., Cambodia and Toufic of Pacific Shipping Service, Cambodia. IMO 6910788 and call sign UOVT.

General technical characteristics of the Sibirles I type. Deadweight 3.797 (general cargo)-4.167 tons (timber), deadweight cargo capacity or net deadweight tonnage 3.337 (general cargo)-3.360 (timber) tons, gross register tonnage 3.231 and net register tonnage 1.488 tons. Dimensions 104,40 (over al) x 14,37 (moulded) x 7,12 (depth to man deck) x 22,40 (height mast above main deck) x loaded draught fore 5,92 (general cargo)-6,3 (timber) - mean 6,05 (general cargo)-6,37 (timber) –aft (6,19 general cargo)-6,42 (timber metres and light draught 1,19 (fore)-2,56 (mean)-3,94 (aft) metres. Four holds. Total bale capacity 5.085 and grain 5.433 cubic metres. Speed 13,5 (full loaded)-14,0 (in ballast) knots.

Russian dry cargo ship Jana or Yana 1966->2007 (no longer existing

Russia-flagged, IMO 682458 and all sign UVDW. Built in the USSR in 1966. Later Cambodia-flagged, call sign XUBQ3 and managed by Selet Marine Cvanino Co. Ltd. Of the Sakhalin Steamship Company, Kholmsk. Of the Sibirles I-type 450B B project consisting of the: Sibirles, Vyatkales, Manzovka, Terney, Egvekinot, Verkhoyanskles, Jakutskles, Prokopiy Galushin, Korsakov, Vzmorye, Jana, Selenga, Ajan, Omolon, Aldan, Kem, Lakhta, Kondopoga and Unyzha.

General technical characteristics of the Sibirles I type. Deadweight 3.797 (general cargo)-4.167 tons (timber), deadweight cargo capacity or net deadweight tonnage 3.337 (general cargo)-3.360 (timber) tons, gross register tonnage 3.231 and net register tonnage 1.488 tons. Dimensions 104,40 (over al) x 14,37 (moulded) x 7,12 (depth to man deck) x 22,40 (height mast above main deck) x loaded draught fore 5,92 (general cargo)-6,3 (timber) - mean 6,05 (general cargo)-6,37 (timber) –aft (6,19 general cargo)-6,42 (timber metres and light draught 1,19 (fore)-2,56 (mean)-3,94 (aft) metres. Four holds. Total bale capacity 5.085 and grain 5.433 cubic metres. Speed 13,5 (full loaded)-14,0 (in ballast) knots.

The navy of Siam according to the Dutch magazine Onze Vloot dated December 1935

Ratanakosindra

An item reported that the Siamese navy consisted of mainly of some gunboats, two comparable with the Dutch flotilla vessels although smaller, an aged destroyer [the former British HMS Radiant, purchased in 1920 and renamed Phra Ruang], 5 aged torpedo boats. 5 motor torpedo boats and some auxiliary ships. At that moment were in Italy 9 torpedo boats or destroyers under construction of which one already launched and 2 minelayers of minesweepers. In Japan were 2-400 ton torpedo boats and 2-2.000 ton training ships under construction/ There were no specifications known. The magazine wondered what the sense was of the strengthening of the Siamese navy. Was the intention to defend with all needs her defence or was she more a less a subsidiary of the Japanese navy. It seemed to be the first option while just a few ships were built in Japan.(1)

Note
1. Thailand claimed neutrality but was invaded by Japan in December 1941 and became in fact a puppet state of Japan. On 21 December 1941 was even an offensive-defensive alliance treaty signed between both countries. On 25 January 1942 declared Siam war on the United Kingdom and the USA. Earlier, between 1940-1941 France and Siam were in war with Siam succeeding in capturing former Thai territories in Laos and Cambodia. There were also coastal defence ships built in Japan, on 12 January 1936 was the Thonburi and the same year the Sri Ayudhya, both by Kawasaki Co., Kobe Japan. Gunboats were for even the British built Ratanakosindra (19241967) and Sukhothai (1928-1971). 

Russian Project 206 Shtorm-class and Project 20E Mol class torpedo boats 1960->2006

Called by the NATO the Shershen-class. The Shershan-class was preceded by the project 183 Bolshevik torpedo cutter and succeeded by the Turya-class. Designing process started in 1956 whiel the first unit built at the Yaroslav Shipyard entered the service in October 1970. The Yaroslalv Shipyard, Sredne-Nevskiy and Sosnovskiy Shipyard built totally 80 of this class with the Yugoslavian Kraljevice Shipyard building another 10 in licence (Croatia captured in 1991 w of the former Yugoslavian boats). Except for the Soviet Union served Shershan-class torpedo boats in the navies of Angola, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cape Verde islands, Congo, Egypt, East Germany, Vietnam. Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Further more was the simplified version Project 206E (called by the NATO Mol produced for the export market (Ethiopia, Iraq, Somalia and Sri Lanka).

With a displacement of 148 9standard)-172 (full load) tons and as dimensions 34,08 x 6,72 x 1,46 (draught) x 1,5 (draft) metres. The machinery consisted of 3-4.000hp M-503A diesel engines allowing a maximum speed of 45 knots. The range varied between 850 nautical miles with a speed of 30 knots (cruising) respectively 460 nautical with a continuous speed of 42 knots. The crew cumbered between 20-24 men (included 2 officers). The armament consisted of 2-AK0230 3cm/65 guns (1x bow, 1x stern), 1x1-SAN-5 MANPAD air defence missiles, 2 depth charge racks and 4 OTA-53-206M 53,3cm torpedo tubes mounted on the sides. 

The Cambodian navy according to the magazine Mitteilungen aus dem Gebiete des Seewesens 1896 no. 8

An item reported that the navy of the Kingdom Cambodia consisted of 2-60 tons displacement gunboats, 3 steam barques and some armed junks. The French cabinet gave the aged gunboat Lutin which was to be used as royal yacht.

Cypriot tug (ex-Kapitan Volodin 1974-, Erland -1988) Tigran 1988-

Cambodia-flagged, homeport, Phnom-Penh, call sign XUVL7, registration number 723206, IMO 7341130 and MMSI 514227000. Built by Richard Shipbuilders, Lowestoft, United Kingdom with yard number 514 on 1 May 1974. Gross tonnage 298 ton, net tonnage 89 ton, deadweight 103 ton, displacement 585 ton and as dimensions 29,2 (rule)-32,78 (over all) x 9,54 x 4,3 x 5,3 (height) metres. Speed 13,5 knots. Ex-Kapitan Volodin renamed 30 November …. and Erland renamed 1988. Owned by Justmore Trading Limited, Limassol, Cyprus.

Russian general cargo ship (ex-Yakob Kunder 1970-1998, Kunder 1998-2000) Inessa 2000-no longer existing

Drawing as the Yakob Kunder [RvM]

IMO 7020073. Call sign as Inessa XUTG3, homeport Pmom Penh and Cambodia-flagged, owned by Golden Marine Ltd. Gross register tonnage 1.684 tons, net register tonnage 754 tons, deadweight 2.485 tons and as dimensions 82 x 12,5 x 5,4 metres. Ice strengthened. Speed 12,5 knots. Homeport Archangels’k. Owned by the U.S.S.R.-Northern Shipping. Built at the Vyborg Shipyard, Vyborg, Soviet Union in April 1970. Renamed Kunder in February 1998.

Khmer Republican amphibious vessel (ex-American US YFU 73) Skilak (T 919) 1976-1977

In the Jane’s edition of 1976-1977 is reported that she was the former American US YFU 731. Transferred to Cambodia in November 1973. Displacement 320 tons (full load) and as dimensions 119’ (over all) x 32.7’x 8’ or 36,3 x 10 x 1.5 metres. The armament consisted of 2-2cm guns; originally 3-0.50 machine guns. The horsepower of 675 bhp allowed a speed of 10 knots. Her crew in Khmer service numbered 13 men. According to navsource.com laid down as the harbor utility craft YFU-71 class YFU 73 at Pacific Coast Engineering Company, Alameda, USA on 23 September 1967, launched on 1 November, delivered on 20^th, serving at DaNang during the Vietnam War, stricken and handed over to Cambodia on 1 April 1970. Her crew numbered in USN service 12 men. Dimensions 125’x 36’x 6’ and a displacement of 220 light)-380 full load) tons.

Khmer Republican amphibious vessel (ex-American LCU 1577 1954-1972) T 919 1976-1977

In the Jane’s edition of 1976-1977 is reported that she was the former American LCU 1577. Transferred to Cambodia in November 1972. Displacement 320 tons (full load) and as dimensions 119’ (over all) x 32.7’x 8’ or 36,3 x 10 x 1.5 metres. The armament consisted of 2-2cm guns. The horsepower of 675 bhp allowed a speed of 10 knots. Her crew in Khmer service numbered 13 men. According to Navsource.com laid down in 1943 as part of the LCU-1466 class landing craft tank, by the US Navy on 1967 handed over to the US Army and serving in Vietnam and finally handed over to Cambodia around 1969-1970. With a speed of 7 knots was her range 700 nautical miles. Displacement 180 (light)-360 (full load) tons. Her armament in US navy consisted of 2x2-2cm anti aircraft guns and 2x0.50 machine guns.

Khmer Republican amphibious vessel (ex-American US FYU 56, LCU 646)T 918 1976-1977

In the Jane’s edition of 1976-1977 is reported that she was the former American US FYU 56 and ex-LCU 646. Transferred to Cambodia in November 1972. Displacement 320 tons (full load) and as dimensions 119’ (over all) x 32.7’x 8’ or 36,3 x 10 x 1.5 metres. The armament consisted of 2-2cm guns. The horsepower of 675 bhp allowed a speed of 10 knots. Her crew in Khmer service numbered 13 men. According to navsource.com as a landing craft tank (Mark 6)/YFU-class harbor craft laid down at Bison Shipbuilding Corporation, North Tonawanda, New York, USA on 4 January 1944, launched on the 27^th, delivered on the 30^th , classified as landing craft ship LSU 646 in 1949, as landing craft utility LCU 46 on 15 April 1956 and as harbor utility craft YFU 56 on 1 March 1966. And handed over to Cambodia on 1 June 1972.

Khmer Republican amphibious vessel (ex-American US FYU 68, LCU 1385) T 917 1976-1977

In the Jane’s edition of 1976-1977 is reported that she was the former American US FYU 68 and ex -LCU 1385. Transferred to Cambodia in October 1969. Displacement 320 tons (full load) and as dimensions 119’ (over all) x 32.7’x 8’ or 36,3 x 10 x 1.5 metres. The armament consisted of 2-2cm guns. The horsepower of 675 bhp allowed a speed of 10 knots. Her crew in Khmer service numbered 13 men. According to navsource.com, laid down as a landing craft tank (Mark 6) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, USA on 18 October 1944, launched in December, delivered and commissioned on 6 December , reclassified landing ship utility LSU-1385 in 1949, as landing craft utility LCU-1385 on 15 April 1956, later as the Harbor Utility Craft YFY-68. Her final fate was unknown according to this source.

Khmer Republican tug Pingouie(1945) 1976-1977

In the Jane’s edition of 1976-1977 is reported that she was the former American tug USS YTL 556. Built by Everett Pacific Shipbuilding&Dry Dock Company in 1945.  According to NiSource.com was she late 1945/begin 1946 commissioned as a harbour tug by the US navy. She later served at Danang during the Vietnam War were she sunk in the vicinity of Con Son Island, Apparently she was salvaged and again taken into service. According to www.shipbuildinghistory was she was transferred to France and renamed Pingouie and in 1956 to Cambodia. The fact that she was in French service as the Pingouie and later transferred to Cambodia is confirmed by war sailors.com. With a displacement of 70 (light)-80 (full load) tons and as dimensions 66’x 18’x 8’(maximum). Her crew numbered in American service 4 men. Fitted out with a 300 shp diesel and a single screw.