Dutch floating hotel De Coaster (1909)

Rotterdam, Netherlands 11 July 2026

Active as cargo ship in the coastal trade (Sont) until the end of the 1970s, renovated in 2020 and became a hotel ship. Built by Coops&Nieborg, Hoogezand, Netherlands in 1909. 

American and British fleets attacking targets on Honshu, Japan in Augsut 1945

An item reported that the American Third Fleet and the British Pacific Fleet with 9 battleships and 20 aircraft carriers shelled on 9-10 Augustindustrial and military targets including Kamaishi on the island Honshu, Japan. Aircraft carrier-borne aircraft destroyed airfield and ground installations and setting docks at fire. In two days time were 792 Japanese aircraft on the bombed airfields damaged or destroyed and 35 ships sunk including a destroyer, 2 destroyer escorts, 3 submarine chasers and a large number of cargo ships, coasters and so on. None of the Allied warships was damaged. On 13 August started both fleets again with attacks now mainly aiming at military targets in the Tokyo area.

Source

The National Archives, Kew Gardens, England CAB-129-1-20. Weekly Résumé (No. 311) of the naval, military and air situation from 0700 9th August to 0700 16th August 1945. 

Dutch sailing cargo ship (ex-Harle Tief) De Tukker (1912)

Vlissingen, Netherlands 18 May 2024

Vanatua-flagged, MMSI 57781000 and call sign YJXL4. Built as the coastal freighter Harle Tief at the Bodewes shipyard, Martenshoek, Netherlands in 1912. Sailing cargo vessel since 4 May 2024. In the 1980s converted into a sail training vessel, around 2022 by shipyard Talsma, Franeker, Netherlands converted into a sailing cargo ship. Schoeneraak. 

Dutch standby safety vessel (ex-Terneuzen 1954-1981, Polaris 1981-1982, Polaris I 1982-1985) Tender 1 1985-

Westerschelde, Vlissingen, Netherlands 24 May 2024

Netherlands-flagged, IMO 8134039, MMSI 244084000 and call sign PHXT. Built by Haarlemsche Scheepsbouw, Haarlem, Netherlands in 1954. 

Dutch coaster (ex-Zeemeeuw 1937-1950, Iris 1950-1955, Tine 1955-1956, Gre 1956-1969, Lota 1969-1997) Zeemeeuw 1997-

Rotterdam, Netherlands 22 September 2022

Netherlands-flagged, IMO 5135355 and call sign PIXJ. Launched by N.V. Noord-Nederlandsche Scheepswerven, Groningen, Netherlands with yard number 158 for account Kars Weters, Groningen, Netherlands in May 1937. Delivered on 13 July 1937. Handed over to the German supervised shipping company Nederlandsche Oost Reederij, Rotterdam, Netherlands in November 1942. Handed over to the Dutch government in May 1945. Renamed Iris (call sign PEXO),in April 1950, Ine (call sign PHYZ) in September 1955, in November 1956 Gre (call sign PEKE), in April 1969 Lota and Germany-flagged and in September 1997 sold to the Stichting Buitenmuseum Leuvehaven, Rotterdam, Netherland and renamed Zeemeeuw.

Dutch government intended building of 8 coasters of the Batavia type for Far East service in 1944

The Royal Netherlands Government on 24 October 1944 still located at London, England published a brief outline of a shipbuilding program which was to start immediately after the liberation. The described types were needed to serve in the Far East. The Netherlands had at there still a colony namely the Dutch East Indies nowadays Indonesia. On 7 May 1945 was a second outline published with more technical details. I combined both lists.

Dimensions 225.0 (over all) x 39.6 x 17.9 (hold) feet. 12 Passenger cabins. Single screw. With a deadweight of 1,800-1,835 tons and diesel 8,50 ahp-1,000hp/220 rpm propulsion allowing a speed of 10 knots. The Dutch department of Shipping and Fisheries ordered from Atlas-Polar 900 ahp/240 rpm type M47M engines of which 3 were completed, the others to be delivered with 5-12 months although already delayed due to a strike.Totally was around 6,000 tons steel needed for the hulls. The engines were to be ordered from Sulzer Brothers, Winterthur to be delivered within 6-10 months. The auxiliaries delivery hoped United Kingdom with support of the British Admiralty and Ministry of Production. The ships were similar to the in 1939 for account of the Koninklijke Paket Vaart (KPM) built (by Boele and Pot) built ships although the accommodation for the inland crewmembers was to be modernized. The yet not walsed steel was to be delivered from the United Kingdom in August-September.

Source

Zeeuws Archief, archive Kon.Mij. De Schelde (7214) not described part.

Dutch government intended building of 12 or 20 coasters of the Dido-design for Far East service in 1944

The Royal Netherlands Government on 24 October 1944 still located at London, England published a brief outline of a shipbuilding program which was to start immediately after the liberation. The described types were needed to serve in the Far East. The Netherlands had at there still a colony namey the Dutch East Indies nowadays Indonesia. On 7 May 1945 was a second outline published with more technical details. I combined both lists.

In 1944 was spoken about 20-600 ton deadweight casters with a diesel propulsion of 600 bhp/300 rpm horsepower allowing a speed of 9 knots. Totally was around 7,000 tons steel needed for the hulls. 12 Engines were ordered from Sulzer Brothers, Winterthur, Switzerland to be delivered within 6 months, the remaining engines delivery hoped United Kingdom with support of the British Admiralty and Ministry of Production. Als for delivery of the auxiliaries was this support needed.

In 1945 was spoken of 12 single screw vessels with as dimensions 187.5 (over all) x 29.9 x 17.0 (hold), deadweight 560 tons. Open shelter deck voor service in the Dutch East Indies and accommodation for 10 passengers. Horsepower 600-500300 opm resulting in 10 knots speed.The shipyard Kon.Mij. De Schelde at Vlissingen, Netherlands used the existing plans of the Dido built in 1937 for the KNSM for making the nearly completed drawings. The steel was ordered by the Department of Shipping and Fisheries in the UK, in the meantime already walshed and waiting to be tranported. The same department ordered from Sulzer 8-600 ahp 6TS29 and 4-500 ahp TS29 which were almost completed. Part of the auxiliaries was ordered in the UK, the remaining parts could be manufactured in the Netherlands. While there was an upmost need of such vessels in the Far East was requested to investigate to built part in the province Groningen. Bulkheads and butts of hull and decks welded.

Source

Zeeuws Archief, archive Kon.Mij. De Schelde (7214) not described part

Scottish motor coaster Amber 1956-1978 and Italian Simri 1978-1980

Launched by Ailsa Shipbuilding Company Ltd., Troon, Scotland for account of William Robertson Shipowners, Glasgow, Scotland on 27 March 1956, completed in June 1956, since 1978 Simri named and Italian owned and foundered on 24 December 1980. Bulk cargo and able to carry timber cargoes. Horsepower 2x75bhp/1.500 rpm and a speed of 12,5 (loaded with 2.100 ton coal trial)-14 (ballast trial) knots. Dimensions 252.0 (between perpendiculars)-267.9 (over all) x 38.6 (moulded) x 19.6 (depth moulded) x 17.0 feet, gross tonnage 1.596 tons, net tonnage 858 tons and deadweight 2.400 ton.

Dutch standby safety vessel (ex-Geeststroom 1954-1971) Fortuna 1971-

Scheveningen, Netherlands 4 April 2021

Netherlands-flagged, homeport Scheveningen, Netherlands, IMO 5127152, MMSI 245581000 and call sign PEDJ. Built by NC.V. Firma A. Apol Scheepswerf, Wirdum, Netherlands with yard number 173 as the coaster Geeststroom voor M.J. van Geest in 1954. Converted into a sport fishing vessel after 1973. Owned by Rederij Groen B.V., Scheveningen.

Dutch standby safety vessel (ex-Geeststroom 1954-1971) Fortuna 1971-

Inner harbour Vlissingen, Netherlands 5 November 2020

Netherlands-flagged, homeport Scheveningen, Netherlands, IMO 5127152, MMSI 245581000 and call sign PEDJ. Built by NC.V. Firma A. Apol Scheepswerf, Wirdum, Netherlands with yard number 173 as the coaster Geeststroom voor M.J. van Geest in 1954. Converted into a sport fishing vessel after 1973. Owned by Rederij Groen B.V., Scheveningen.

Dutch standby safety vessel (ex-Geeststroom 1954-1971) Fortuna 1971-

Inner harbour Vlissingen, Netherlands 22 April 2020

Netherlands-flagged, homeport Scheveningen, Netherlands, IMO 5127152, MMSI 245581000 and call sign PEDJ. Built by NC.V. Firma A. Apol Scheepswerf, Wirdum, Netherlands with yard number 173 as the coaster Geeststroom voor M.J. van Geest in 1954. Converted into a sport fishing vessel after 1973. Owned by Rederij Groen B.V., Scheveningen.

Portuguese coaster flag around 1848

Source
J.W. Norie/J.S. Hobbs. Three hundred and six illustrations of the maritime flags off all nations. London, 1848.

Bucket dredger used for refloating run aground coaster the Polish harbour Gdansk according to a CIA report dated 5 May 1958

An item reported that in the Polish harbour Gdansk a coaster was sighted which run aground. A bucket dredger with 1-1,5 tons bucket was used for extricating the coaster which was after 10 days refloated.

Source

The report was published on www.archive.org, document number CIA-RDP80T00246A003600540001-2

Dutch lighter Anna at Ambon, Dutch East on 1 February 1947

In 1946 ordered the Dutch supreme commanding officer in the Far East by order no. 62 to investigate the harbours including shipyards in the Dutch East Indies and Netherlands New Guinea. In those so-called Sitraps (Situation reports) was information collected dealing with the available facilities, personnel and vessels/boats. The Dutch East Indies fell in Japanese hands in the Second World War when the Dutch forces surrendered on 8 March 1942 until Japan surrendered on her turn on 15 August 1945. On 17 August 1945 declared nationalistic leaders like Soekarno and Hadda the independence of what was called the Republik Indonesia. The result was a struggle for years before the Netherlands forced by international pressure accepted the Indonesian independence on 29 December 1949.

An item reported that an unarmed motor coaster of around was used as the lighter Anna. Although the ship was rather reasonable condition was the engine beyond repairs.

Source
Archive Dutch Marinestaf (1942) 1945-1948 inventory number 188, National Archive, The Hague.

The Polish motor coaster B 35 type according to a CIA report dated around 1955

In a report titled Shipbuilding in Poland 1945-1955 were several series of ships described built by Polish shipyards including the motor coaster type B 35 by the Stocznia Imienia Komuny Paryskiej, Gdynia, Poland. Dimensions 52,00 (between perpendiculars)-57,64 (over all) x 9,00 (moulded) x 4,75 (depth to main deck) x 4,26 (loaded draught) metres or 170’7”-189’1½”x 29’6 ½”z 14¼’”, a deadweight of 900 tons, gross tonnage of 640 tons and net tonnage 280 tons. Cargo bale capacity 1.046 cubic meters/36.920 cubic feet and grain 1.106 cubic metres/39.040 cubic feet. Service speed 10,5 knots with a 640 bhp/320rpm diesel engine and one screw. Cruising range 1.500 nautical miles. One deck, raised quarter deck and 2 holds. Fitted out with 4-1½ ton derricks and 4-½ ton electric winches.

Source
The report was published on www.archive.org, document number CIA-RDP80T00246A003600560002-9

Dutch sailing vessel (ex-Hermann 1913-1918, Lucie 1918-1939, Laksen 1913-1989, Atlantis 1989-1998) Abel Tasman 1998-

Wilhelmshaven, Germany October 2018

Netherlands-flagged, IMO 5202794, MMSI 245877000 and callsign PCVM. Built in 1913 at the shipyard of Pattje, Waterhuizen, Netherlands as the sailing cargo vessel Hermann since 17 April 1913 of Peter Wilhelm Engellandt, Breiholz, Germany with a register tonnage of 119 gross and 101 net tons and as dimensions 26,37 x 6,45 x 2,27 metres. Between 15 April 1917 and 1918 property of the Schonerrreederei Heins, Hamburg, Germany. Renamed in 9181 Lucie with as homeport Flensburg and until 27 March 1926 owned by the Firm Matthias Nielsen GmbH, Apenrade, Germany. Since 27 March until October 1953 of Christopher  Meeder, Kiel, later Westerrönfeld, Germany). ). In 1927 at a shipyard at Flensburg lengthened with 8 metres. In the Second War used by the Kriegsmarine as victualler (transporting potatoes. In 1950 again lengthened now with 6 metres resulting in a measurement of 230 tons and a register tonnage of 160 gross and 121 net tons. Between October 1953-June 1956 property of George Peetersen and in this period also converted into a coaster. As a result of this conversion she now measured 270 tons, a register tonnage of 216 gross and 151 net tons and as dimensions 38,37 x 6,54 x 2,64 metres. Renamed in June 1956 Laksen. Winter 1989 converted into the passenger ship Atlantis and also shortened retaining original design. In 1998 renamed Abel Tasman. 

Dutch coaster (ex-Zeemeeuw 1937-1950, Iris 1950-1955, Tine 1955-1956, Gre 1956-1969, Lota 1969-1997) 1997-

Inner harbour Rotterdam, Netherlands 1 November 2018

Netherlands-flagged, IMO 5135355 and call sign PIXJ. Launched by N.V. Noord-Nederlandsche Scheepswerven, Groningen, Netherlands with yard number 158 for account Kars Weters, Groningen, Netherlands in May 1937. Delivered on 13 July 1937. Handed over to the German supervised shipping company Nederlandsche Oost Reederij, Rotterdam, Netherlands in November 1942. Handed over to the Dutch government in May 1945. Renamed Iris (call sign PEXO),in April 1950, Ine (call sign PHYZ) in September 1955, in November 1956 Gre (call sign PEKE), in April 1969 Lota and Germany-flagged and in September sold to the Stichting Buitenmuseum Leuvehaven, Rotterdam, Netherland and renamed Zeemeeuw.

The fleet of the Polish Gdansk-Gdynia Port Administration according to a CIA report dated 20 June 1952

An item reported that the Polish Gdansk-Gdynia Port Administration had 83 coastal vessels and boats under her control including 2-1.00hp tugs, 7-200ihp tugs, 10 pilot boats fire rescue ships

Source
The report was published on www.archive.org, document number CIA-RDP82-00457R012400070009-2

Polish shipyards building NYSA-class ships according to a CIA report dated 20 October 1954

An item reported that the NYSA-class ships built by Polish shipyards had an unusually large free space on the aft deck possible for mounting guns or other military equipment. (2

Notes
1. Large series of general cargo motor coasters using the B51 design. The Nysa was handed over to the Polska Zegluga Morska (Polish Steamship Company) in 1951. With a length of 197 feet and 486 tons gross register tonnage.
2. In a comment was stated that the steamship Kielce had an secret compartment between decks.

Source
The report was published on www.archive.org, document number CIA-RDP80-00810A005000550010-8

Dutch inland sailing ship (ex-Marie 1913-?, Greta ?-?, Marita R -1995) Fortuna 1995-

Ijsselmeer, Netherlands 9 August 2018

Netherlands-flagged, homeport Harlingen, Netherlands, ENI 02212267, MMSI 244730659 and call sign PH6832. Converted into a motor coaster in 1954 and lengthened. Ex-Marie 1913->, Greta, Marita-R and since 1995 Fortuna. Built by Boerema, Martenshoek, Netherlands in 1913.