British destroyer HMS Fame damaged in air attack according to the War Cabinet Weekly Résumé No. 45of the Naval, Military and Air Situation 4-12 July 1940

An item reported that the British destroyer HMS Fame was hit by a bomb reducing her speed to just 20 knots.(1)

Note

1. Part of F-clas preceded by C- and D-classes succeeded by G- and H-classes, laid down by Parsons Maritime Steam Turbine Company, Wallsend oon 5 July 1933, launched on 28 June 1934, completed on 26 April 1935, converted into an escort destroyer between 1941-1942sold to the Dominican Republic on 4 February 1949, commissioned as Generalisimo, renamed Sanchez in 1962 and broken up in 1968.

Source

National Archive UK. CAB-66-9-42. 

Enemy submarine activities in the western Atlantic according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 17 January 1942

An item reported that despite the numerous reports of enemy submarine activities in the western Atlantic during the past 24 hours just 3 attacks were reported: 1 in the vicinity of Cape Sable, 1 at St. John’s, Newfoundland and 1 north of Dominica. Contacts with submarines were reported along the whole coastline from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Dominican Republic and 300 miles northeast of Martinique.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 17 January 1942 No. 38.

Dominican lobster fishery according to the Commercial Fisheries Review dated July 1968 No. 7

An item reported that the Dominican lobster fishery found place between Jan-February and August-December by an unknown number of fishemen. Totally were 5,365 fishermen in the Dominican Republic licensed and 1,422 fishing vessels. The lobster fishery was especially in the waters around the harbors of the Sancez, La Romana and Pedernales. The narrow undersea shelf surring the Dominical Republic limited the fishery permanent. In the period 1962-1967 was between42.8-92.1 tons caught. 

German general cargo ship Aphia 1954-1971 (Nordsee Pionier 1971-1973, Natalie 1973-1974, Christopher 1974-1983, Nilda One 1983-1988, Miss Keshia I Express 1973-2009)

Canal between Gent, Belgium and Terneuzen, Netherlands 1963

Photographer Johan de Vries. Zeeuws Archief

Germany-flagged, homeport Bremen, IMO 5020782 and call sign Deez. As Miss Keshia I Express Honduras-flagged, homeport San Lorenzo, owned by Naviera Miss Keshia I S de RL. As Nordsee Pionier of Nordsee Pionier Schiffahrts KG and Germany-flagged. As Natalie Netherlands Antilles-flagged, homeport Willemstad and call sign PJSL. As Christopher Panama-flagged and as Nilda One Dominican Republic-flagged. Launched by Neue Brand Werft, Oldenburg, Germany with yard number 133 on 16 September 1954 and delivered on 12 November 1954 to Ferdinand Müller Reederei, Bremen, Germany. Since March 2000 no longer registered in Lloyd’s Register, fate unknown.

Dutch screw steamship 1st class Zr. Ms. Koningin Ermma der Nederlanden stationed in the Dutch West Indies in 1887-1888

 

As accommodation ship

On 13th March 1887 arrived the Dutch screw steamship 1st class Zr. Ms. Koningin Ermma der Nederlanden (1) at San Juan, Dominican Republic where visits were exchanged with the USS Jantie (2) commander Francis M. Green who departed in the evening of the same day. On the 15th was the voyage continued arriving the 16th at San Juan, Porto Rico. There were visits exchanged with the small Spanish ram Fernando Catholica (3)commanded by a 1st lieutenant. The Dutch commander complained that the daily life at San Juan was very expensive. Costs of a telegram of 11 words to the Netherlands 305 dollars and piloting 41 dollars. Petty officers and sailors were allowed to go ashore for one visit. There were no complaints. The 20th left she for St. Thomas [then part of Denmark, since 1917 American Virgin Islands], arriving the same day, departing on the 23rd.

Notes

1. Screw steamship 1st class, also called frigate, call sign GQMF, on stocks as De Ruyter at the naval yard at Amsterdam, Netherlands on 6 November 1876, completed for the half on 31 October 1876, renamed Koningin Emma der Nederlanden on 7 January 1879, launched on 20 January 1879, commissioned on 1 December 1881, decommissioned on 22 May 1896 for repairs, commissioned on 16 June 1897, decommissioned on 23 June 1900, converted at the shipyard De Lastdrager at Den Helder, Netherlands into an accommodation ship in 1908, commissioned on 16 November 1908, guard ship at Willemsoord, Netherlands in 1920, captured by the German forces at Willemsoord on 14 May 1940, capsized and sunk at Den Helder in 1942, salvaged in April 1943 and scuttled north of Fort Harssens. Displacement 3.160 ton and as dimensions 80,00-91,85 x 12,50 x 6,10 metres, horsepower 2.732hp/450 nhp, speed 14,10 miles, one double bladed screw with a diameter of 4,88 metres, sail area 1.585 square metres, coal bunker capacity 325 ton for 5ive days full speed, iron built wood planked although the hull above the waterline and some other parts were made of steel to be able to increase the ammunition and coal bunker capacity, her crew numbered 200 men and the armament consisted of 6-17cm guns and 4-12cm guns. The engines and boilers were manufactured by the Koninklijke Fabriek van Stoom- en andere werktuigen at Amsterdam, Netherlands.

2. Lieutenant commander Francis Matthews Green (23 February 1835 Boston, Massachusetts, USA-december 1922 Albany, New York, USA). USS Yantic of the Nipsic-class-gunboats, launched on 19 March 1864 by Philadelphia Navy Yard, commissioned on 12 August 1864, decommissioned on 7 March 1898 and loaned to the Naval Militia of the stat Michigan as training ship, later returned to the navy and finally broken up in 1936.

3. Of the 429 tons class Fernando el Catolico-class gunboats, dimensions 157.5 x 23.6 x 10 feet. Crew numbering 98 men. Armament consisted of 1-.64" rifled muzzle loading gun, 2-4.7" smooth bore guns, 1 machine gun.

Source

Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1886-1887. 

Dominican schooner of war Libertador visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 3 May 1856

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao on Thursday the 1st of the Dominican schooner of war Libertador commanded by J. Sanabia coming from Santo Domingo.

Patrol vessel GC-3 of the Dominican Republic around 1924-after 1945

Together with her sister ships GC 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 built between 1924 and 1925 in the USA of wood. With a displacement of 37 tons were her dimensions 75 x 13¾ x 4 feet. The armament consisted of 1-1pdr, 1 machinegun and four depth charges. The petrol motor supplied 400 bhp allowing a speed of 13.5 knots

Storm destroyed part of the Haitian navy underway to attack the Dominican Republic according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 31 January 1846

An item referred to a statement of the president of the Dominican Republic general Santander dated 27 December 1845 reported the disaster for the Haitian navy. The admirals’ ship and 2 schooners stranded near Ma Louie before Porto Plata in the night of the 21st during a storm and were captured by the Dominicans. Among the prisoners of war were brigade general Cadet Antoine serving as admiral, colonel Juan Felipe, several officers and 119 sailors. The newspaper El Dominica dated the 18th reported that it concerned the schooners Union, Dieu Protége and La Guerriere. There were 149 survivors arriving in the town on 3rd January and taken to the prison. Rumors claimed that they had the intention to attack Porto Plata and killed everybody there. According to dements found on board consisted the Haitain navy of the bark ship President, the schooner Union with one16pd pivot gun and 6-16pd carronades, the schooner La Mouche with 2-8pd carronades, the schooner Dieu Protége, the schooner La Signifié (ex-La Vierge) with 2-12 pd carronades and 1-2pd gun and finally the schooner La Guerriere with a bronze 12pd gun and 4-8pd carronades of British calibre.

Haitian expedition towards Dominican republic according to the Dutch newspaper Schiedamsche Courant dated 13 January 1849

London. From Haiti arrived tidings dated until 6 September according to which the new emperor Soolouque was busy with supplying titles of nobility to his generals and that he fitted out a expedition consisting of one corvette, one steamboat and 2 schooners with on troops against the Dominicans.(1)

Note
1. Emperor Faustin I (1782-6 August 1867), born as Faustin-Élie Souloique, a Haitian general who became through an election in 1847 president of Haiti and in 1849 proclaimed as emperor creating a black nobility. He didn’t succeed in capturing the Dominican Republic.

Canadian passenger ship (ex-Borinquen 1930-1949, Puerto Rico 1949-1954, Arosa Star 1954-1959) Bahama Star 1959-1969 (La Janelle 1969-1970)

Designer Theodore Ernest Ferris (17 August 1872-1953), laid down by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, USA on 20 January 1930, launched on 24 September 1930, handed over to the Atlantic, Gulf&West Indies Steamship Lines as the Borinquen on 20 February 1931, to be used by the subsidiary New York&Porto Rico Line on the route USA-Puerto Rico-Dominican Republic, requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration on 31 December 1941 from the Agwilnes, commissioned as the troop transport USAT Borinquen by the Transportation Corps, returned on 14 June 1946, sold to the American Bull Steamship Company on 25 April 1949, renamed Puerto Rico, acquired by the Arosa Line (Swiss owned Compania Internacional Transportadora), rebuilt and renamed Arosa Star and the end of her years used as immigrant ship, operated by the Canadian Western Steamship Company (McCormick Shipping), Toronto, Canada as the Panama-flagged Bahama Star on the route Florida, USA- Bahamas between 1959-1969, renamed La Janelle, and berthed at Port Hueneme, California, stranded in a storm on 13 April 1970 on Silver Strand Beach while berthed outside Port Hueneme when she lost in a storm her anchor still usually lying unused, partly broken up and scuttled filled with rocks as part of the breakwater. 

Polish auxiliary patrol vessel Médoc (P24) and Pomerol (P25) 1940-1941

Thanks for allowing us to publish

After France capitulated in June 1940 were around 100 French ships which seek refugee in British harbours seized by the British government. Some ships were transferred to the Polish allies including the Médoc and the Pomerol. The Médoc served between 18 July-22 October 1940 under the Polish flag and was destroyed by a German air attack still with Polish crew members on board but under the British flag while the Pomerol served between 18 July 1940-8 January 1941 under Polish  flag. The Médoc was launched on 30 May 1902 with yard number 902 1930 by D.&W. Henderson Co. Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland and completed in June 1930 as coaster for Worms, Josse et Cie, Le Havre, France and served in the French navy between September 1939 and 18 July 1940. Gross register tonnage 1.166 tons and net register tonnage 439 tons and as dimensions 83,2 x 10,4 x 4,5 metres or 237.3 x 34.1 x `14 feet. Speed 11,50 knots. Armament consisted of 2 depth charge launchers, 24 depth charges, 4-10cm guns and 2-3,7cm anti aircraft guns. The Pomerol her sister ship was launched with yard number on 12 June 1930 and completed on 8 July 1930 by the same shipyard for the same owner. Dimensions or 237.3 x 34.1 x `14. Feet, gross register tonnage 1.167 tons and net register tonnage 451 tons. Renamed Marititisant just before October 1968? Owned in 1954 by Felix Benitez Rexach, Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic. 

Dominican Republic interested in Dutch patrol vessels in 1958-1959

The former Dutch vice-admiral Burghard (1) reported to the Dutch firm N.V. Nederlandsche Vereenigde Scheepsbouw Bureaux (NEVESBU)about his visit to Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic between 27 December 1958 and 9 January 1959.(2) Although the bid of NEVESBU with interest was received by the authorities, was none order for new building given. The problems in Cuba forced the Dominical Republic to acquire as soon as possible three second hand patrol vessels en to fit out their aged patrol vessels with new engines. NEVESBU supplied on 24 January a bid for the building of six ships, three second hand ships and engines of three aged ships. The Royal Netherlands Navy was willing to sell the Batjan (3), Boeroe (4) en Ceram (5) to the Dominican Republic is replacement by new building was allowed.(3) Those three vessels were examined and the conclusion was that they were in a good condition of maintenance. On 2 February was a bid sent for project 219 consisting of 4-1450hp engines for each ship. Nine days later was again an artist impression of the patrol vessel sent. Burghard visited again Ciudad Trujillo between 30 January and 5 February and spoke there admiral Admiral Facundo Esteva and staff members. The Dutch bid was considered to be the cheapest and the best. The Dutch department for economic affairs pointed out that paying with products with coffee, cacao, sugar and so on by the Dominican Republic was somehow problematic. Payment in dollars was however none problem.

In March however it became clear that the Dominican Republic no longer was interested in the Dutch bid. All available (financial) resources were to be used for strengthening/fitting out of the army. Apparently the navy was of secondary interest. The Dutch firm Mantel en Korting was informed that the sale of the frigate Batjan was no longer restricted. On 24 June however was again a meeting with the representative of the Dominican Republic to which a new bid for 3-550 tons with 4 engines (project number 2128) included an artist impression was supplied. On 16 July was after an discussion with the Kon.Mij. De Schelde a bid sent for 3 patrol vessels fitted out with 2 diesel engines (project 2127). Strangely enough was the delivery time for project 217 three months longer.

Notes

1. François Theodor Burghard (Surabaya, Indonesia 15 April 1900-San Pedro, Marbella, Spain 28 June 1978), out of service in the rank as vice admiral on 1 November 1956. Between 1952-1956 commandant der zeemacht in Nederland (commanding officer of the navy in the Netherlands)

2. Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij (RDM) at Rotterdam, Kon.Mij. De Schelde (K.M.S.) at Vlissingen, Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij (N.D.S.M.) at Amsterdam, Wilton-Fijenoord at Schiedam and Werkspoor N.V. at Amsterdam.

3. The former Australian fleet minesweeper/corvette Lismore, laid down at the Mort’s Dock&Engineering Company Limited, Sydney, Australia on 1 March 1940, launched on 10 August 1940 and commissioned in the Royal Netherlands Navy on 3 July 1946. Mentioned as minesweeper, corvette, patrol vessel, minesweeper, frigate and finally accommodation ship after she was decommissioned on 15 July 1957.

4. The former Australian fleet minesweeper/corvette Toowoomba, laid down by Walkers Limited, Maryborough, Queensland on 6 August 1940, launched on 26 March 1941 and commissioned in the Royal Netherlands Navy on 5 July 1946. Mentioned as minesweeper and frigate, used fro patrol duties in Dutch East Indies and Dutch New Guinea and stricken on 15 July 1957 becoming an accommodation ship after she was stricken on 15 July 1957.

5. The former Australian fleet minesweeper/corvette Burnie, laid down at the Mort’s Dock&Engineering Company Limited, Sydney, Australia on 4 June 1940, launched on 25 October 1940 and commissioned in the Royal Netherlands Navy on 5 July 1946. Mentioned as minesweeper, corvette, patrol vessel, minesweeper, frigate and finally accommodation ship after she was stricken on 15 July 1957.

Source

Archive Kon.Mij. De Schelde (Municipality Archive of Vlissingen, Netherlands) inventory number 214.1703.

Tug (ex-Smit London 1975-1998, Smitwijs London 1998-2007, London 2007-2013) Global Change 2013

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands15 October 2012 as the London

Launched at the IHC Merwede Scheepswerf, Hardinxveld Giessendam, Netherlands with yardnumber 611 by Miss Heidi Ruis on 25 April 1975. Handed over to her owner Smit Internationale Zeesleep- en Bergingsbedrijf, Rotterdam, Netherlands on 16 September 1975. IVR 21.04850 and callsign PHQK. Baptized on 8 October 1975 at London, England by the spouse of the lord mayor lady H. Fox. Handed over to Smit Internationale Sleepbootmij Smit London BV at Nassau, Bahamas, Bahamas-flagged, ON 71046 and callsign C6CJ8 in September 1986. Handed over tot SmitWijsTowage on 1 December 1991. Arrived at Arraoyo Barril, Dominican Republic on 28 November 2012 and laid up there. Sold to Iliana Shipping Limited, Panama-flagged with callsign 3FCO3 and managed by Diavlos Maritime Limited Fourmarakis Bors, Pireaeus, Greece for GMS. Dimensions 74,83 (over all) x 15,68 metres and gross tonnage 2.706 tons and summer deadweight 2.687 tons. Horsepower 13.500 bhp. Bollard pull 167 tons. As the London of Svitzer Ocean Towage. Sold in 2012 to GMS and renamed Global Change. Panama-flagged. Broken up 25 June 2013 in India. Ex-Smit London 1975-January 1998, Smitwijs London January 1998-June 2007, London June 2007-11 January 2013.

Dominican schooner of war Seperacion visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 31 January 1846

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao on 3 January 1845 of the Dominican schooner of war Seperacion commanded by colonel J.B. Cambiazo coming from Santo Domingo.

Dominican schooner of war General Santana visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 27 January 1849

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao on 22 February 1848 of the Dominican schooner of war General Santana commanded by J. Cambiaso coming from Santo Domingo.

Danish steam screw corvette Hejmdal visited Willemstad, Curacao coming from Santo Domingo according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 26 February 1859

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao on Monday the 21st of the Danish steam warship Heimdal captain J.L. Gottlieb coming from Santo Domingo.(1) While in the Schottegat anchoring were salutes exchanged with the Waterfront. The next afternoon was she visited by the Dutch governor. On Thursday was at the house of the governor a dinner presented to her commanding officer and etat major. She departed in the afternoon of the 25th back to Santo Domingo to pick up there commodore Christmas, commissary of the Danish crown at the Dominican government to sale the problems after the capture of three Danish schooners by Dominican warships. Christmas was to be brought back to the island St. Kruis.

Note
1. Laid down at the naval dock yard at Copenhagen, Denmark on 22 August 1853, launched on 24 June 1856, commissioned on 18 May 1857 and finally decommissioned on 3 September 1886. With a displacement of 868 tons were her dimensions 51,8 x 9,2 x 4,7 metres. Speed 10 knots. Her armament consisted of 14-30pd guns and 2-18pd rifled guns.

Commanding officer of the Dominican schooner of war Santana thanked governors of Curacao and Porto Rico according to the Dutch newspapers De Curacaosche courant dated 9 January 1847

An item referred to an announcement published in the El Dominicano dated 30 November in which Jean Evertsz, commanding officer of the navy and of the schooner of war Santana thanked the governors of the islands Curacao and Porto Rico for the public tribute he received during his mission during his mission.

Dominican brig of war Venite siete Febrero visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 27 January 1849

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao on 24 October 1848 of the Dominican brig of war Venite siete Febrero commanded by J.A. Acosta coming from Santo Domingo.

Dominican navy expected to be strengthened with abroad purchased ships according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 31 January 1846

An item referred to the newspaper Le manifest published at Port-au-Prince, Haiti dated 18 December 1845 reporting the returning of the flotilla after four months crossing. This was presumably caused by the arrival of general Pradère returning from the USA with the news that the navy was to be strengthened on short notice with a steamship, 1 corvette and 2 schooners.

Dominican schooner of war La Merced visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 19 August 1854

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao on Saturday 12th of the Dominican schooner of war La Merced commanded by J.A. Sanabria coming from Santo Domingo and leaving in the early morning of the 18th towards Santo Domingo.