Russian squadron ordered to bunker coal off the Moesja Islands according to the Dutch newspaper Soerabaijasch handelsblad dated 6 December 1904

An item reported that the Russian squadron commanded by admiral Folkersahm (1) was bunkering coal from colliers off the Moesja Islands between Obok and Djibouti [French Somaliland].(2)

Notes

1. Dmitry Gustavovich von Fölkersahm (29 April 1846 Papenhof Manor, Rutzau, Courland Governorate-24 May 1905 off Tsushima), served in the Russian navy between 1860-1905 ending in the rank of rear admiral. Commanded the 2nd Pacific Squadron, flagship was the Peresvet-class battleship Oslyaba (1895-1905).

2. The Russo-Japanese war between 8 February 1904-5 September 1905. 

German naval auxiliary supply ship ms Dresden in 1939

Admiral Graf Spee. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

In a letter dated 13 April 1942 No. 1329 to the O.K.M./1 Abteilung Skl. was the so-called ‘Etappen’-organisation of the navy described. In the attachment were the blockade runners decribed used for this purpose. Ms. Dresden (1) naval auxiliary supply ship for the pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, left Coquimbo on 19 October 1939, arrived at Santos on 25 November 1939, no utilization by the latter. For auxiliary cruiser H.S.K. 16, left Santos on 28 March 1941, arrived at St. Jean de Luz on 29 May 1941 with 329 American prisoners of Zamzam and handed over to the RVM on 29 May 1941. 

Notes

1. Launched by Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack, Germany with yard number 735 for Norddeutscher Lloyd on 26 May 1937, commissioned on 7 July 1937, scuttled as blockship in the entrance to the Gironde, France on 25 August 1944, salvaged, in March 1946 as France-flagged Doba, used for transport of military and troops to French Indochina and grounded and lost off Ras Hafonne, Gulf of Aden underway from Ceylon to Djibouti/French Somaliland ([Republic of Djibouti since 1992) on 21 July 1950.

2. Of the Deutschland-class consisting of the Admiral Graf Spee, Deutschland (1940 renamed Admiral Lützow) and the Admiral Scheer. In the international press called pocket battleship with the idea outrunning each ship which was too powerful for her but able to destroy any other ship. Very suitable to serve as commercial raider. Building ordered as the Ersatz Braunschweig). Laid down on the Reichmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven, Germany with yard number 125 on 1 October 1932, launched on 30 June 1934, commissioned on 6 January 1936, successful in destroying 50.089 gross tonnage of merchant ships, participated in the Battle of the Rio de La Plata on 13 December 1939 and finally scuttled to prevent capture on 17 December1939.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/223 

Russian squadron commanded by admiral Fölkersahm bunkering coal acccording to the Dutch newspaper Soerabaijasch handelsblad dated 6 December 1904

An item referred to a telegram of Reuter from Perim [Yemen] reporting that the Russian squadron commanded by admiral Folkersahm (1) was loading coal out of colliers while positioned off the Moesja Eilanden between Obok and Djiboeti [French Somaliand].(2)

Notes

1. Dmitry Gustavovich von Fölkersahm (29 April 1846 Rutzau, Courland Governorate, Russian Empire/Rucava, Latvia-24 May 1905 off Tsushima), served in the navy between 1867-1905 ending in the rank of rear-admiral commanding the 2nd Pacific Squadron.His flagship was the battleship Oslyabya (Peresvet-class laid down on 21 November 1895, sunk in the Battle of Tsushima on 27 May 1905).

2. Russo-Japanese War 8 February 1904-5 September 1905

Vichy French submarines sighted at Djibouti, French Somaliland according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 19 May 1942

An item reported that two Vichy French submarines were sighted at Djibouti, French Somaliland. (1) Before they had been at Madagascar. The U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee did not believe that they would attack United Nations ships.

Note

1. Vichy France or the French State was until end 1942 an independent ally of Nazi Germany and since then fully controlled by Berlin until 1944.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 160 dated 19 May 1942

Austrian torpedo cruiser SMS Panther visited the Dutch East Indies in 1905

An item reported that the Austrian cruiser 3rd class Panther visited Tanjong-Priok, Dutch East Between 3-9 May 1905.

Note
1. Torpedo cruiser of the Panther-class, preceded by the Lussin and succeeded by the Tiger. Laid down by Armstrong, Elswick, England on 29 October 1884, launched on 13 June 1885, completed on 31 December 1885 and broken up in 1920. The Dutch newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 10 April 1905 reported that she was expected to arrive on 10 April 1905. The edition dated 6th May described her a small quite aged ship commanded by fregatten kapitän Ritter von Höhnel. She came from Abessynie (Djibouti) and was to depart in the nest week towards Australia. The Republic of Djibouti is the former French colony French Somaliland. Abessynie is the Dutch name for the Ethiopian Empire or Abyssinia.

Source
Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1904-1905. 

Italy using harbour facilities at Djibouti, French Somaliland according to the Dutch newspaper Nieuwe Venlosche courant dated 26 June 1940

An item reported that as a result of the armistice between France and Italy was decided that Italy might use the harbour and harbourage of Djibouti, French Somaliland.(1)

Note
1. Italy declared war on France on 10 June 1940 followed by an armistice signed on 24 June 1940 effective a day later.