England establishing coal bunker station at the Cocos-Islands according to the Dutch newspaper De locomotief dated 14 April 1903

An item reported that the British cabinet presumably would order to lay a cable between Velon [Sri Lanka] and the Cocos-Islands [or Keeling Islands, Australia], where a coal bunker station was to be founded.(1)

Note

1. Annexed by the British Empire on 1887, in 1901 was a telegraph cable station established on Direction Islands with underseas cables. This telegraph station was of huge importance in both wars.

Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney hailed for destroying Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni according to the Dutch newspaper Soerabaijasch handelsblad dated 23 July 1940

British Leander-class cruisers

An item dated Sydney, Australia 22nd reported that the town hoisted all flags to celebrate the sinking of the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni (1) by the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney (2), which latter proved to be a worthy successor of the cruiser Sydney (3) which sunk in the First World War the German cruiser SMS Emden (4) off the Cocos Islands. The newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 23rd July referred to an official statement at London that her commanding officer captain John A. Collins was decorated with the Order of the Bath while lieutenant Hugh St. Nicholson commanding officer of the destroyer Force with the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

Notes

1. The Bartolomeo Colleoni of the Guissano-class light cruisers, consisting of the Alberico da Barbiano, Alberto da Giussano, Bartolomeo Colleoni and Giovanni delle Bande Nere. Building ordered in 1926, laid down by Ansaldo, Genoa, Italy on 21 June 1928, launched 21 December 1930, commissioned on 10 February 1932 and sunk on 19 July 1940 in the Battle of Cape Spada. of the Guissano-class light cruisers, consisting of the Alberico da Barbiano, Alberto da Giussano, Bartolomeo Colleoni and Giovanni delle Bande Nere. Building ordered in 1926, laid down by Ansaldo, Genoa, Italy on 21 June 1928, launched 21 December 1930, commissioned on 10 February 1932 and sunk on 19 July 1940 in the Battle of Cape Spada.

2. Modified Leander-class cruiser. Laid down by Swan, Hunter&Wigham Richardson, Wallsend-on-Tyne, England as Phaeton on 8 July 1933, purchased by Australia still under construction, launched on 22 September 1934, commissioned on 24 September 1935 and sunk in a battle with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran on 19 November 1941.

3. Chatham-sub class Town-class light cruiser, laid down by London and Glasgow Engineering and Iron Shipbuilding Company, Glasgow, Scotland on 11 February 1911, launched on 29 August 1912, commissioned on 26 June 1913, laid up in reserve on 13 April 1923 and decommissioned 8 May 1928 and broken up in 1929 at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

4. Dresden-class light cruiser, laid down at the Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig on 1 November 1906, launched on 26 May 1908, commissioned on 10 July 1909 and after disabled by the Sydney grounded off the Cocos Islands (Keeling Islands) on 9 November 1914. 

Norwegian bark Echo underway from Dutch East Indies via Cococ Islands towards Spain according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 3 September 1885

An item dated Nieuw Anjer, Dutch East Indies [nowadays Anyer] 1st reported the passing of the Norwegian bark Echo underway from Macassar towards Cadiz, Spain. She departed on the 3rd Batavia, Dutch East Indies captain Hansen towards the Cocos Islands [Keeling Islands a territory of Australia].

Norwegian ship Forot lost off the Cocos Island according to the Dutch newspaper Rotterdamsch nieuwsblad 14 January 1887

An item dated Batavia, Dutch East Indies 15 December 1886 reported that on board of the Norwegian ship Forot of 699 register tons underway from Rotterdam, Netherlands towards Java, Dutch East Indies on the 9 November fire in the cargo was discovered. Her captain decided to go to the Cocos Islands where they arrived on the 21 November. The fire was however extended meantime in such a manner that the ship could not be saved. The entire crew landed and the wreck and cargo were to be sold on the 16th on a public auction.

Swedish bark Rosalie underway from Dutch East Indies via Cocos Islands towards Portugal according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 11 August 1892

An item reported the passing on the 10th of Nieuw Anjer, Dutch East Indies [nowadays Anyer] by the Swedish bark Rosalie underway from Batavia, Dutch East Indies via Cocos Islands towards Lisbon, Portugal.

British screw steam gunboat HMS Firebrand arrived at Batavia, Dutch East Indies coming from the Cocos Islands according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 23 July 1888

An item dated Batavia, Dutch East Indies 21^st reported the arrival of the British war steamship Firebrand captain Denison coming from the Cocos Islands.(1)

Note

1. Composite screw steam gunboat, launched at Thomson on 30 April 1866, sold in 1905 and renamed Hoi Tin. The armament consisted of 2-64pd guns and 2-20pd guns. Of the Forester-class. Her crew numbered 60 men.

British screw steam gunboat HMS Redpole underway from the Dutch East Indies towards the Cocos Islands according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 16 July 1890

An item reported the passing on 12th of Nieuw Anjer, Dutch East Indies [nowadays Anyer] by the British steam warship Redpole underway from Batavia, Dutch East Indies towards the Cocos Islands.(1)

Note

1. Composite screw steam gunboat of the Redbreast-class. Launched at the Pembroke dockyard on 13 June 1889, sold to Cox to be broken up at Falmouth, England on 15 May 1906. Her crew numbered 76 men. The armament consisted of 6-4”/10,16cm breech loading guns and 4 machineguns.

British gunboat HMS Plover underway from the Dutch East Indies towards the Christmas and Cocos Islands according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 23 June 1892

An item reported the passing on the 21st of Nieuw Anjer, Dutch East Indies [nowadays Anyer] by the British steamship HMS Plover underway from Batavia, Dutch East Indies towards the Cocos Islands.(1)

Note
1. Composite screw gunboat launched at the Pembroke Dock, England on 18 October 1888 and sold in 1927. The armament consisted of 6-4” guns and a displacement tonnage of 755 tons.

British gunboat HMS Plover departed Dutch East Indies towards the Christmas and Cocos Islands according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 21 June 1892

An item dated Batavia, Dutch East Indies 20th reported the departure of the British steamship HMS Plover captain Bell towards the Christmas and Cocos Islands.(1)

Note
1. Composite screw gunboat launched at the Pembroke Dock, England on 18 October 1888 and sold in 1927. The armament consisted of 6-4” guns and a displacement tonnage of 755 tons.

British protected cruiser HMS Astraea visited the Dutch East Indies in 1910

An item reported that the British cruiser HMS Astraea visited Tandjong Priok, Dutch East Indies between 25 September-1 October 1910.

Notes
1. Of the Astraea-class protected cruisers, preceded by the Apollo-class and succeeded by the Eclipse-class which was ordered in 1889, laid down in August 1890 at the Devonport Dockyard, launched 17 March 1893, commissioned in November 1895, decommissioned/paid off in July 1919 and finally sold 1 July 1920 to be broken up at Castle, however she was resold and finally broken up in Germany.
2. The Dutch newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 26 September 1910 reported her arrival coming from Christmas Island and bound for Semarang, Dutch East Indies. Tonnage 4.360 tons, a crew numbering 310 men and armed with 10 guns. Commanding officer Kiddle. The edition dated 29 September 1910 reported that the football match announced a day earlier between B.V.C. and crew members in de Planten- en Dierentuinwas cancelled because the ship had to bunker coal. The Dutch newspaper Preanger-bode dated 3 October 1910 reported her departure towards Semarang.The Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 3 October 1910 reported her arrival that morning.

Source
Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1909-1910. 

British screw steam gunboat HMS Rattler underway from the Cocos Islands towards Singapore according to the Dutch newspaper Java-Bode dated 13 August 1889

An item dated reported the passing of Nieuw Anjer, Dutch East Indies by the British warship HMS Rattler underway from the Cocos Islands towards Singapore.(1)

Note
1. Bramble-class screw steam gunboat launched by Armstrong Mitchell, Elswich, England on 4 August 1886, renamed HMS Dryad and training ship since 1919 and sold in 1924. 

British screw steam gunboat HMS Rattler underway from the Dutch East Indies towards the Cocos Islands according to the Dutch newspaper Java-Bode dated 31 July 1889

An item dated 29th reported the passing of Nieuw Anjer, Dutch East Indies by the H.B. steamship Rattler underway from Batavia, Dutch East Indies towards the Cocos Islands.(1)

Note
1. Bramble-class screw steam gunboat launched by Armstrong Mitchell, Elswich, England on 4 August 1886, renamed HMS Dryad and training ship since 1919 and sold in 1924. 

Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney 1911-1928 (1929)

Australian HMAS Brisbane, sister ship of the Sydney

German SMS Emden

Part of the Town-class light cruisers Chatham-class design just like the HMAS Brisbane (1913) and Melbourne (1911). Laid down by London and Glasgow Engineering and Iron Shipbuilding Company, Scotland on 11 February 1911, launched on 29 August 1912, commissioned on 26 June 1913, forced the German cruiser SMS Emden to run ashore after heavily damaging her with gunfire in the Battle of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on 9 November 1914, decommissioned on 8 May 1928 and broken up at Cockatoo Island, Australia in 1929.

Displacement 5.500 (standard) tons and as dimensions 130 (between perpendiculars)-139,202 (over all) x 15,19 x 6,07 maximum) metres or 456.8 3/8” x 49.10 x 19.11 feet. Oil and coal fuelled machinery consisting of Parsons turbines and Yarrow boilers delivering 25.000shp allowing with the 4 screws a speed of 11.5 (cruising) 25 (maximum design)-25,7 (trial) knots. Her crew numbered 376-475 men (in times of war). The armament consisted of 8x1-15,2cm/6” breech loading Mk XI guns protected by 10,2cm/4’” open-backed gunshields, 1-7,6cm/3” anti aircraft gun, 1-12pd field field gun to be used ashore, 4-4,7cm/1.9”/3pd saluting guns, 2 depth charge chutes, 10-303” machineguns and 2x1-45cm/18” submerged torpedo tubes in the broadsides. The armour consisted of a belt with a thickness 3,8cm/1.5” (bow and stern)-7,6cm/3” (amidships), while the machinery and magazine spaces were also protected just like the 10,2cm/4”conning tower. Fitted out with a Sopwith Pup plane. 

American fleet replenishment oiler USS Pecos (AO-6) visited Dutch East in 1937

An item reported that the American Pecos visited Balik Papan, Dutch East Indies between 2-4 February, 10-11 March and 11-12 May 1937.(1)

Note
1. Of the Kanawha-class. Laid down as Fuel Ship No. 18 by Navy Yard Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 2 June 1920, launched on 23 April 1921, commissioned on 25 August 1821 and sunk from aircraft from the Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu (and Kaga?) off Christmas Island on 1 March 1942.

Source
Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1936-1937. 

British sloop HMS Vestal visited Tandjong-Priok, Dutch East Indies according to the Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 5 July 1902

An item reported the arrival of the British warship Vestal (1) commanded by MacHutchin coming from Singapore. The edition dated 7th reported her departure towards Christmas Island. Her commanding officer was now called L.J. Hutchins.

Notes
1. Of the Condor-class sloops, launched by Sheerness Dockyard, England on 10 February 1900 and sold on 21 October 1921.
2. Called gunboat visiting Tandjong-Priok, Dutch East Indies between 5-7 July 1902 according to the Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1901-1902.  

Japanese fishing vessel Ankyo Maru with scrap parts of German cruiser SMS Emden on board hold according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1938 no. 5

SMS Emden

An item referred to the Jap. Chr. dated 3 March 1938 reporting that the Japanese fishing vessel Ankyo Maru was hold at Singapore after illegal breaking up of the German cruiser Emden now property of the Australian government.(1) This time she had 20 tons of machine parts and iron on board. It was the for the 3rd time that she was hold with parts of the Emden on board.

Note
1. Laid down at the Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig, Germany [nowadays Poland] on 1 November 1906, launched on 26 May 1908, commissioned on 10 July 1909, sunk during an attack on Penang, Malysia the Russian cruiser Zhemchug and the French destroyer Mousquet on 28 October 1914 and after severe being damaged in a battle with the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney beached on North Keeling Island [Cocos Islands] on 9 November 1914. 

British schooner J.G.C. Ross underway from the Dutch East Indies towards the Cocos Islands according to the Dutch newspaper dated 24 June 1889

An item dated Batavia, Dutch East Indies 24th reported the departure of the British schooner J.G.C. Ross master Flak towards the Cocos Islands. 

British schooner J.G.C. Ross arrived at Batavia, Dutch East Indies coming from the Cocos Islands according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 17 June 1889

An item dated Batavia, Dutch East Indies 17th reported the arrival of the British schooner J.G.C. Ross master Flak coming from the Cocos Islands, shipping agents Tidman Balfour&Co. 

British schooner J.G.C. Ross underway from the Dutch East Indies towards the Cocos Islands according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 27 June 1889

An item dated 25th reported the passing of Nieuw Anjer, Dutch East Indies by the British schooner J.G.C. Ross underway from Batavia, Dutch East Indies towards the Cocos Islands. 

British schooner J.G.C. Ross underway from Cocos Islands towards the Dutch East Indies according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 17 June 1889

An item dated 15th reported the passing of Nieuw Anjer, Dutch East Indies by the British schooner J.G.C. Ross underway from Cocos Islands towards Batavia, Dutch East Indies. She arrived there on the 17th, captain Flak, shipping agents Tidman Balfour&Co.