USA stationing bombers on Aruba, Dutch West Indies for hunting Axis submarines according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 19 February 1942

An item reported that the Caribbean Defence Commanded established an air base on the island Aruba, Dutch West Indies and where light and heavy bombers were stationed for hunting Axis submarines. The American U.S.A.T. Gibbens was waiting in the harbour for a naval convoy coming from Puerto Rico.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 71 dated 19 February 1942

German blockade runner ms Odenwald in 1941

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 Odenwald. Loaded with 3,857 ton. Left Yokohama, Japan on 21 August 1941. Halted on the Atlantic by American cruiser and brought to San Juan, Puerto Rico on 6 November 1941.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/223

German submarines active in the Caribbean according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 26 February 1942

An item reported that German submarines were still active in the Caribbean and attacked 3 times with success off the Venezolan coast and one of the southern coast of Puerto Rico during the past 48 hours.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 78 dated 26 February 1942

German submarine shelled Mona Island according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 4 March 1942

An item reported that a enemy submarine shelled Mona Island, situated 45 miles west of Puerto Rico.(1)

Note

1. This attack seemed to be a mistake while the crew of the German submarine misidentified a camp of the Civilian Conservation Corps as a military facility.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 84 dated 4 March 1942.

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. 

Spanish slaver La Fortune arrived at Cadiz, Spain according to the Dutch newspaper Rotterdamse courant dated 14 December 1769

An item dated Cadiz, Spain 10 November reported the arrival on 24 October of the Spanish ship La Fortune belonging to the negro slavery commerce company returning from Puerto Rico and Havana, Cuba loaded with sugar and other products of the colonies.

Spanish privateers active in the Caribbean according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 10 February 1823

London, 3 February. According to a letter of St. Thomas dated 22 December 1822 captured Spanish privateers two ships which brought towards Puerto Rico. One was an American coming from London with a cargo of arms and 20 guns, the other one was French underway from Bordeaux towards la Guayra.

Haitian warships according to the Dutch government newspaper Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 12 January 1843

This official Dutch government newspaper reported that recently became known that a corvette flying Haitian colours captured several Spanish ships and that the governor of Cuba sent some warships to end these hostile acts. According to the item recognized the European countries the republic Haiti as an independent nation  with the expressive condition that she was never allowed to fit out any warships. During several years she respected this condition but suddenly it seemed to be forgotten while a frigate of corvette bought in the United States was fitted out by the republic. The commanding officer at the British station in that area (Antilles) sir James Yeo prevented however that this frigate was used. As soon as she left the harbour she was pursued by the British navy and attacked causing a lot of Haitian sailors killed and she was forced to return to the harbour. She was heavily damaged and not able to sail again and she was since then neglected and declined.

Recently fitted Haiti however again a corvette out without anyone noticing it despite the British watching carefully these waters. Caused by heavy weather the corvette was forced to enter one of the harbours on the Spanish island Puerto Rico and seized by the Spanish government and declared prize. Haiti immediately fitted out a new vessel and this was the vessel that captured 3 Spanish ships off Santander. The captain general of the Spanish Antilles don Geronimo Valdez received the tidings of this capture and ordered a frigate, a corvette and a armed steamboat which were at his disposal to join the ships at the station of Puerto Rico and to go towards Haiti .The complete strength of this squadron would consist of a 50 gun frigate, 1 corvette, 3 brigs, 2 steamboats and several smaller vessels against one Haitian corvette. It was a long time ago according to the Dutch newspaper that Spain fitted outs such a large squadron elsewhere.

Spanish squadron commanded by La Borde left Cuba towards Puerto Rico according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 3 November 1827

An item referred to tidings from Cuba that on 20 October commodore La Borde left Havana, Cuba towards Puerto Rico with a squadron consisting of 1 ship of the line, 6 frigates, 4 brigs and some smaller vessels. The finally destination was not known although it was suggested to join at Puerto Rico other warships.

American tug (Cabo Rojo 1965-1996, Diane Roehrig 1996-1999, Brandon C. Roehrig 1996-2008, Solomon Sea 2008-2013) Emily Ann 2013-

Poughkeepsie, USA 19 March 2019

With our thanks to Kevin Oldenburg allowing us to publish

USA-flagged, homeport Newark, New Jersey, IMO 6515667, MMSI 367360960, USCG Doc no. 0297392 and call sign WDE5022. Ex-Cabo Rojo renamed June 1996, Diane Roehrig of Roehrig Maritiem Company, New York, USA renamed January 1999, Brandon C. Roehrig renamed 10 June 2008 and Solomon Sea of K-Sea Transportation Partnership Incorporated, East Brunswick, New Jersey, USA renamed December 2013. K-Sea was taken over by Kirby Corporation, Challeview, Texas in 2011. DonJon Marine Company, Hillside, New Jersey, USA bought her in 2013. Steel made hull. Built by Equitable Equipment Company, Madsonville, Louisiana with hull number 1347 for account of Crowley Marine Services Incorporated, San Francisco, USA in 1965 (Lloyd Register 1967-1968 mentioned The Porto Rico Lighterage, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA). Gross tonnage 191 tons, net tonnage 101 tons and as dimensions 87.0 (between perpendiculars)-95.6 (over all) x 28.3 (moulded)-20.0 (extreme) x 14.0 feet.

American naval forces off Martinique strengthened according to the Dutch newspaper De Indische courant dated 27 November 1940

An item dated Fort de France, Martinique 26th reported that the American force off Martinique was strengthened with destroyers explained for the rumours that a German cruiser was sighted of Puerto Rico. 

United States buying tugs according to the Dutch newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 28 April 1898

The American government bought a number of tugs to be converted into torpedo boats.

Note

1. These ships were bought due to the Spanish-American War of 25 April-12 August 1898 lost by Spain. The Spanish navy suffered heavy losses and the Spanish colonies Puerto Rico, Guam and Philippines were handed over to the United States which latter country also temporarily controlled Cuba.

The Spanish expedition towards Havana and Puerto Rico according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 28 October 1825

Madrid, 13 October. In the court newspaper was a small account published of the departure of the expedition towards Ferrol. In the evening of 26 September left the excellent expedition Ferrol commanded by maréchal-de-camp, 2nd commanding officer of Cuba don José Miranda y Cabezon. She was ordered to reinforce Puerto Rico and Havana. The expedition consisted of the 3rd corps of Catalonia, the 3rd corps of Galicia, a brigade artillery and the frigates Lealtad and Yberia y Perla. This was the third expedition since the Spanish government was restored in that area and this were well equipped troops.

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. 

Gunpowder explosion on board of American battleship USS Massachusetts killed and wounded several men according to the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Handelsblad dated 18 January 1903

Indiana-class

An item dated London, England 17the reporting that during gun target practices off Culebra near Puerto Rico on board of the American battleship Massachusetts a powder explosion killed 5 men and wounding another 4.(1)

Note
1. Indiana-class consisting of the Oregon, Massachusetts and Indiana, preceded by the Maine and Texas and succeeded by the Iowa. The first American battleships which were comparable by the ones built for European navies although still for coastal defence tasks with a freeboard such low that it was dangerous to act on the open oceans. Building ordered on 30 June 1890, laid down at William Cramp&Sons Ship&Engine Building Corporation, Philadelphia, USA on 25 June 1891, launched by Leila Herbert on 10 June 1893, commissioned on 10 June 1896, decommissioned on 8 January 1906, modernized including improving balance and traversing of main gun turrets, although considered to be obsolete still recommissioned on 2 May 1910, decommissioned on 23 May 1914, recommissioned on 9 June 1917, renamed Coast battleship Number 2 on 29 March 1919, decommissioned on 31 March 1919, stricken on 22 November 1920, loaned to the War Department, scuttled in shallow water off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, USA becoming a target for artillery experiments by the coastal batteries of Fort Pickens and even railway artillery since January 1921, transferred back to the navy on 20 February 1925, efforts to sell her to be broken up then and in 1956 were fruitless lacking satisfying bids and nowadays still existing as an artificial reef. 

American privateer Caroline captured at Puerto Rice several ships according to the Dutch newspaper Opregte Haarlemsche Courant dated 19 March 1814

An item reported that the American privateer Caroline of 5 guns and 100 men captured at Puerto Rico several ships including the Lucy of Nevis. The Lucy was plundered and released.

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.

Spanish corvette General Scott captured by a privateer of the Independents accoding to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated Saturday 14 March 1818

An item referred to a letter dated Boston, USA 23rd January referring to a tiding from Havana, Cuba reporting that the new Spanish corvette General Scott armed with around 32 guns and manned with Spanish sailors which recently left the harbour to escort some merchant ships towards Puerto Rico and than destined towards Port Cabello, Venezuela was captured with her complete convoy by one privateer [of the Independents?]. At the first shot of the privateer fled the crew of the corvette in the hold and which was later boarded.

An American squadron refused the entrance to St. Jan, off Puerto Rico according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 28 April 1823

London, 22 April. According to a letter of Jamaica dated 17 March refused the harbour master of St. Jan (Puerto Rico) the admittance to the American squadron commanded by commodore Poster. This squadron consisted of 2 large frigates, 3 corvettes and 2 brigs. A schooner which tried while using force to enter the harbour was hit by gun shots causing the death of the captain and two sailors.

Reorganisation of the Spanish navy according to the Dutch newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 11 July 1884

The commission which was appointed to investigate the necessity of reorganizing the Spanish navy completed her task and handed over several proposals to the government. The Spanish navy consisted in 1883 of 5 warships [ironclads?], an iron-built monitor, a floating battery and 117 vessels of different sizes. To protect the Isthmus of Cuba and Puerto Rico there were another 85 armed ships available. According to the proposals was the reorganisation to be completed within 10 years and was Spain afterwards to possess 12 capital ships, 2 iron cruisers, 7 1st class cruisers, 9 2nd class cruisers, 7 3rd class cruisers, 32 torpedo boats and 6 transports. The necessary budget for this program was 230,000,000 peseta’s.