Japanese aircraft attacked US naval force near Solomon Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 27 February 1942

An item reported that Japanese heavy bombers attacked on 20 February without success an US Naval force north of the Solomon Islands even loosing 16-17 aircraft. The American ships keep undamaged although 2 planes and a pilot were lost. According to the J.I.C. was this the attack reported from New Caledonia on 24 February No. 76.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 79 dated 27 February 1942

Enemy submarines active in the vicinity of Noumea according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 8 August 1942

An item reported that in the vicinity of Noumea, [French] New Caledonia several contacts indicated that enemy submarines were patrolling in that area.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No.241 dated 8 August 1942.

Japanese forces just invading islands northeast of Australia according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 21 March 1942

An item reported that during a Japanese air attack on 19 March the naval headquarters at Darwin, Australia were heavily damaged, fortunately with just a few casualties. It was believed that the Japanese force wanted to conqueror strategic points on islands northeast of Australia. Lacking a sufficient force it was not to be expected that wanted to invade the Fijis, New Caledonia or even Northeastern Australia.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 101 dated 21 March 1942

Enemy submarine successful active in New Caledonia according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 8 May 1942

An item reported that on 5 May an American merchant ship was abandoned by her crew on a distance of 120 miles south west of Noumea. New Caledonia. The ship was last seen on fire. Two days later was a second American merchant ship by an enemy submarine on a distance of 30 miles south of Noumea. The U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee stated that this was the first time that an enemy submarine was successful active in New Caledonia.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 149 dated 8 May 1942

Japanese submarine sighted nearby New Caledonia according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee daily summary dated 30 May 1942

An item reported that an Allied aircraft attacked an enemy [Japanese?] submarine on 28 May 150 miles north of New Caledonia. On the New Caledonian beaches were some enemy mines found.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 171 dated 30 May 1942

Japanese oil/chemical tanker (Skydream 2010-2017) Songa Dream 2017

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 14 August 2020

Marshall Islands-flagged, IMO 9505948, MMMSI 538090521 and call sign V7OB6. Built by Fukuoka Shipbuilding, Fukuoka, Japan in 2010. Owned by Shintoku Kaiun, Higashihiroshima, Japan and managed by Shintoku Marine, Pusan, South Korea. Panama-flagged (MMSI 357227000 and call sign 3FAJ6) in 2017, New Caledonia flagged in 2017?

Greek bulk carrier (ex-Capetan Costas S-Tri 2012) Capetan Costas S 2012-

Schelde of Vlissingen, Netherlands 25 November 2019

Marshall Islands-flagged, IMO 9595735, MMSI 538004396 and call sign V7WU9. Built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Ltd., Ulsan, South Korea in 2012. Owned and managed by Clemko Shipmanagement, Athens, Greece. First Marshall Islands-flagged, since 2018 New Caledonia-flagged until 2018. 

French exiles transport Picardie returning from New Caledonia according to the Dutch newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 28 August 1879

An item reported that daily the first exiles from New Caledonia were expected to return to France. The French cabinet pointed out the small Mediterranean port town Port Vendres as the place where the first transport Picardie with 650 passengers on board was to arrive. The transport had already passed the Suez canal and her arrival was ultimo to be on the 30th.

New Caledonian tug Cap Ndoua 2005-

France-flagged, IMO 9194751, MMSI 540007900 and call sign FMIP. Gross tonnage 198 tons, net tonnage 59 tons and as dimensions 25,86 x 8,9 x 4,3-5,05 metres. Total horsepower 3.480 bhp allowing a speed of 12,5 knots. Launched in 2005 at Damen Shipyard Gorinchem, Gorinchem, Netherlands with yard number 510805 for account of INCO Ships, Noumea, New Caledonia; elsewhere is claimed that’s she in December was delivered to Inco Australia Pty. Ltd. Sydney, Australia. Not mentioned on the website of Inco Ships Pty. Ltd. Of Sydney, Australia (21-08-2013 17:33 o’clock).

Japanese firm exploiting iron mines on French New Caledonia according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1937 no. 6

An item referred to the magazine Jap.Chr. dated 19 August 1937 reported that the Japan Steel Pipe Company was allowed by the government of French New Caledonia to establish a firm to exploit the ore mines eat that moment French property. The estimated capacity was 20 million tons of ore of 50-60% purity. 

Japanese Trocal shells fishery along coasts of French New Caledonia according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1937 no. 6

An item referred to the le Yacht dated 10 July 1937 reporting that Japanese fishermen now were involved in the Troca shells fishery along the coasts of French New Caledonia. Already was one32 tons  motor boat seized after breaking the fishery rules. 

French war steamship Saône visited Batavia, Dutch East Indies underway towards New Caledonia according to the Dutch newspaper Javabode dated 16 March 1889

An item reported the arrival at Batavia, Dutch East Indies yesterday of the French steam transport Saône captain Bigant with an armament of 5 guns and a crew numbering 170 men. She as underway from Algiers (Algeria) via Port Said (Egypt) Obok (Obock, Djibouti), Aden (Yemen) and Mahé (Seychelles) towards New Caledonia with military and their households.(1)

Note
1. An aviso laid down by the arsenal of Toulon, France on 12 February 1877, launched on 15 January 1880 and finally for sale at Brest, France in 1914. Displacement 1.600 tons and as dimensions 64 x 10,5 x 4,9 metres. Speed 10 knots. An armament of 4-14cm/5.5” guns. 

French war steamship Saône cruising in the Dutch East Indies according to the Dutch newspaper Javabode dated 16 March 1889

An item reported the passing of Nieuw Anjer, Dutch East Indies by the French war steamship Saône which changed her course off Merak, Dutch East Indies towards Batavia, Dutch East Indies.(1)

Note
1. An aviso laid down by the arsenal of Toulon, France on 12 February 1877, launched on 15 January 1880 and finally for sale at Brest, France in 1914. Displacement 1.600 tons and as dimensions 64 x 10,5 x 4,9 metres. Speed 10 knots. An armament of 4-14cm/5.5” guns. 

French war steamship Saône underway from the Dutch East Indies towards New Caledoniaaccording to the Dutch newspaper Javabode dated 20 March 1889

An item dated Batavia, Dutch East Indies 19th reported the departure of the French war steamship Saône captain Rigaud towards New Caledonia.

Note
1. An aviso laid down by the arsenal of Toulon, France on 12 February 1877, launched on 15 January 1880 and finally for sale at Brest, France in 1914. Displacement 1.600 tons and as dimensions 64 x 10,5 x 4,9 metres. Speed 10 knots. An armament of 4-14cm/5.5” guns. 

German and French warships Albatross and Guichen visited Surabaya, Dutch East Indies according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1887-1888 no.

An item dated Surabaya, Dutch East Indies 9 November 1887 reported the visit in the roads a week earlier of the German aviso Albatros and the French cruiser Guichen both comparable with the Dutch screw steamships 4th class and bound for Europe. The Albatross grounded underway and was dry docked for examination. After 30 hours could she leave undamaged the dock after just renewing some blades copper fitted to the hull. Both ships left within the hour the roads.

Notes
1. Gunboat, launched at the Kaiserlicht Werft Danzig on 11 March 1871, commissioned on 23 December 1871, stricken on 9 January 1899 and wrecked in a storm in March 1906.
2. The Dutch newspaper Soerabaijasch nieuwsblad dated 26 October 1887 reported the arrival yesterday afternoon for bunkering coals. Commanded by lieutenant de vaisseau [Jules] le Pord underway from Nouméa (New Caledonia) towards Toulon, France. Screw steam sloop of the Guichen-class consisting of the Guichen, Bruat and Bouvet. Launched at Rochefort, France in 1865 and stricken in 1888. 

French frigate Noemi arrived at Rotterdam, Netherlands coming from New Caledonia according to the Dutch newspaper Rotterdamsch nieuwsblad dated 4 February 1905

An item dated Rotterdam, Netherlands 3^rd reported that the French frigate ship Noemi captain Le Hegarat arrived that day coming from New Caledonia after a voyage of 170 years. In the meantime was at London, England already a reassurance paid up to 40%.

French aviso-transport Saône departed Dutch East Indies towards New Caledonia according to the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 20 March 1889

An item dated Batavia, Dutch East Indies 19^th reported the departure of the French steam warship Saône captain Rigaud towards New Caledonia.(1)

Note

1. Aviso-transport, laid down at Toulon, France in 1877, launched 1880 and stricken 1914.

French gunboat Loyal wrecked according to the Dutch newspaper De Tijd dated 3 March 1898

An item dated Sydney 1 March reported that a hurricane harassed New Caledonia causing the sinking of the French gunboat Loyal.

French transports transporting convicts of the Paris Commune to New Caledonia according to Dutch newspapers in 1872-1873

The newspaper Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode dated Saturday 20 April 1872 published an item reporting that last Monday the first ships on which the communists were embarked departed towards Caledonia namely the Danae and the Guerrière.(1) They were to be followed on the 20^th by the transports Orne and Finistèrre. The French cabinet is taken the affaire seriously. The former editor of the Lanterne Rochefort (2) would not depart with one of these ship due to his worse health. He seemed to have written a letter to Thiers requesting that he was allowed to go to the Hijerische eilanden. Probably this would be allowed.

The newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 13 May reported that Rochefort was nursed in the hospital of the fortress Bayard. Both his children were permitted by the cabinet to visit due to his worse condition. The transport le Rhin departed towards New Caledonia with around 100 convicts on baord including thRoux, Pélissier, Etienne, Lombard, Urbain, Trinquet and Taverier all members of the commune.

In the Zierikzeesche Nieuwsbode dated 30 May was described that many of the men involved in the Parisian revolt fled to England. One of them described to a correspondent of the Daily News how they worse and inhuman were treated after being taken prisoner. Together with other prisoners he was brought in the morning of 6 August to the station and from there to la Rochelle in nailed wagons for 36 hours causing the death of three men in his wagon. They were around midnight transferred to the transport le Cométe and brought to the l’Ile d’Aix.

The newspaper Goessche Courant dated 15 June reported that last Monday the steam transport la Gierrièrre embarked 260 convicts on board at the island Aix all banned to New Caledonia. According the newspapers were among them Paschal Grousset, Jourde, Verdure and Mourot, the latter being the former secretary of Henri Rochefort. The former editor of the la Lanterne was still prisoner in the Boyard fortress. The newspaper le Siècle said that it could not be proven that he would not banned but instead imprisoned in the fortress Lamalgue.

The newspaper Goessche Courant dated 1 May 1873 reported that the French transport l’Orne underway with 800 convicts to New Caledonia had to visit Melbourne for fresh victuals while 300 men on board suffered from scurvy.

Notes

1. The Paris Commune was a working class government which ruled Paris between 18/28 March and 28 May 1871 and was bloodily ended by the French federal government. The founding of the Commune must be placed with as background the Franco-Prussian war which was lost by the France empire and during which Paris was besieged and after the armistice German troops marching triumphal into Paris.

2. Victor Henri Rochefort, Marquis de Rochefort-Luçay (30 January 1830 Paris-30 June 1913 Aix-les-Bains). He published his own newspaper called La Lanterne of which the 11^th edition was seized and Rochefort in August 1868 condemned to a payment 10,000 francs and a year in the prison. He was finally transported to New Caledonia escaping there in 1874 towards San Francisco, USA.