An item reported that three Australian minesweepers were underway to Thursday Island to sweep a channel through the Torres Straits.
Source
Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 15 dated 25 December 1941.
The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1906-1907 reported that the Japanese cruisers Hashidate, Matsushima and Itsukushima visited Tandjong Priok, Dutch East Indies on 12 May 1907. The Dutch newspaper De locomotief dated 16 May 1907 reported the arrival [on 14 May] of the Matsushima (1) commanding officer Nonmajuchi, 440 men including 40 officers, 23 guns, Itsuhuhshima (2) commanding officer Nawa, 390 men including 32 officers, 22 guns and the Hashidate (3) commanding officer Yamagata, 448 men including 48 officers, 22 guns, all three coming from Thursday Island [Torres Strait Islands, Australia] and bound for Singapore.
Notes
1. Matsushima-class protected cruisers preceded byNaniwa-class. Ordered under 1886 Fiscal Year, laid down by Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, La Seyne-sur-Mer, France on 17 February 1888, launched on 22 January 1890, completed on 5 April 1892, stricken on 31 July 1908 and sunk due to an accidental explosion at Mako. Pescadores Islands on 30 April 1908.
2.Itsukushima. Matsushima-class protected cruisers preceded byNaniwa-class. Ordered under 1886 Fiscal Year, laid down by Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, La Seyne-sur-Mer, France on 7 January 1888, launched on 18 July 1889, completed on 3 September 1891, stricken on 12 March 1926 and broken up in 1926.
3. Matsushima-class protected cruisers preceded byNaniwa-class. Ordered under 1886 Fiscal Year, laid down by Yokosuka Arsenal on 6 August 1888, launched on 24 March 1891, completed on 26 June 1894, stricken on 1 April 1922 and broken up in 1927.
The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1906-1907 reported that the British cruiser HMS Pioneer visited Tandjong Priok, Dutch East Indies between 30 July-1 August 1907 and 28-30 August 1907.
The Dutch newspaper De locomotief dated Thursday 1 August reported that on the Monday before at Tandjong the steel built 2d class British cruisers HMS Psyche and Pioneer were expected. The arrival was confirmed by the Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 30 July. The Pioneer commanded by C.B. Miller (2) came via Thursday Island from Sydney, Australia with as destination Singapore just lik the Psyche commanding officer N. Couver. The locomotief dated 5 August reported their departure to Singapore. The edition reported their arrival at Tandjong coming from Singapore bound for Thursday Island and the Psyche for Sydney. The edition dated dated 30 August 1907 reported their departure towards Thursday Island, commanded by C.B. Miller.
1. Of the Pelorus-3rd class protected cruisers class,designed by chief constructor of the British Royal Navy Sir William White (2 February 1945 Plymouth, England-27 February 1913 London, England), preceded by the Arrogant-class and succeeded by the Highflyer-class. Laid down by Chatham Dockyard on 16 December 1897, launched on 28 June 1899, completed on 23 January 1900, commissioned on 10 July 1900, decommissioned on 29 November 1912, handed over to Australia on 28 November 1912, commissioned on 7 November 1913, decommissioned on 7 November 1916 and scuttled on 18 February 1931 off Sydney Heads.
2. Charles Blois Miller (15 July 1880-14 July 1926, retired on 23 May 1924 and promoted to the rank of vice admiral on 1 July 1925, captain of the Pioneer between 9 January 1907-15 December 1910.
The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1908-1909 reported that the British cruiser HMS Pyramus (1) visited Tandjong Priok, Dutch East Indies between 11-14 Augustus and 12-14 September 1909. The Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 11 August repored her arrival coming from Thursday Island. Commanding officer Th.J.J. Michell (2), crew numbered 102 men (including 11 officers) and an armament of 8 guns. The edition dated 14 August 1909 reported a departure to Colombo, Ceylon. The Dutch newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 15 September 1909 reported a departure towards Thursday Island. Commanding officer Radcliffe.(3)
Notes
1. Of the Pelorus-class protected cruisers 3rd class,designed by chief constructor of the British Royal Navy Sir William White (2 February 1945 Plymouth, England-27 February 1913 London, England), Prometheus, Proserpine, Psyche and Pyramus, preceded by the Arrogant-class and succeeded by the Highflyer-class.Laid down by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow, England in May 1896, launched on 15 May 1897, completed in 1900 and sold to be broken up on 21 April 1920.
2. Commander Thomas Francis Tregoye. Mitchell (8 November 1872-1 September 1942) 21 September 1907-1 September 1909, ended his career as captain.
3. Commander Stephen Herbert Radcliffe (19 February 1874-7 November 1939), since 1 September 1909, ended his career as vice-admiral.
The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1908-1909 reported that the British cruiser HMS (1) Pegasus visited Tandjong Priok, Dutch East Indies between 11-14 February and 14-17 March 1909. The Dutch newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 11 Feburary 1909 reported her arrival with a crew of 246 men (including 13 officers) and armed with 16 guns coming from Sydney, Australia and Thursday Island bound for Colombo, Ceylon. The edition dated 15 February reported her departure to Colombo. The edition dated 16 February 1909 reported the passing on 14 February by a British cruiser probably the Pegasus. The edition dated 15 March 1909 reported the arrival bound for Port Darwin, Australia. Crew numbered 229 men, armament of 16 guns and commanded by George C. Quayle.(2) The newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 18 March 1909 reported her departure.
Notes
1. Part of Pelorus-class protected cruisers, preceded by Arrogant-class, succeeded by Highflyer-class, building ordered in 1893, laid down by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow with yard number 718 in May 1896, launched on 4 March 1897, commissioned on 17 January 1899 and sunk by the German light cruiser SMS Königsberg in Zanzibar harbour, Tanzania on 20 September 1914.
2. Commander George Cuninghame Quayly (1 September 1871-13 June 1919) 1 October 1907-19 March 1909, replaced by Arthur H.C.C. Home, ended his career as captain.
The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1904-1905 reported that the British cruiser 3rd class HMS Pylades (1) visited Tandjong-Priok, Dutch East between 26 February-1 March 1905. The newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië published an item dated Singapore 12 February reported that she was grounded on the Peel reef near Thursday Island [on the 10th] but just slightly damaged. Later came the news that she was refloated. The edition dated 3 March reported her passing Anjer, Dutch East Indies coming from Batavia. The De Sumatra Post dated 27 February reported her arrival at Tandjong Priok and that she was armed with 16 guns. The Bataviaasch nieuwsblad of the same date confirmed this arrival and that she came from Thursday Island, bound for England, commanding officer Herbert C.C. Dacosta.(2)
Notes
1. Part of Satellite-class screw steam sloops since 1884 corvettes, laid down by Sheerness Dockyard on 1 January 1883, launched on 5 November 1884, commissioned on 17 November 1884 and sold on 3 April 1906 to be broken up.
2. Herbert Charles Campbell Da Costa (18 April 1865-29 December 1940), promoted on 24 November in the rank of admiral (retired).
The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1910-1911 reported that the British cruisers 3rd class HMS Psyche (1) and Pioneer (2) visited Tandjong Priok, Dutch East Indies between 25-28 September 1911. According to the newspaper Scheepvaart 24 September 1911 departed Colombo, Ceylon for Batavia, Dutch East Indies on 17 September. The edition dated 5 October reported their departure from Tandjong Priok on 29 September towards Thursday Island.
Notes
1. Laid down at the Devonport Dockyard, England on 15 November 1897, launched on 19 July 1898, commissioned on 2 May 1899, decommissioned on 22 January 1915, handed over to Australia on 1 July 1915, commissioned on 1 July 1915, decommissioned in March 1918, sold to the Moreland Metal Company on 21 July 1922, used as timber lighter until she sunk in a heavy storm in the Salamander Bay, New South Wales, Australia in 1940. During underwater demolitions training exercises blown up although still parts remains. Of the Pelorus-class protected cruisers 3rd class,designed by chief constructor of the British Royal Navy Sir William White (2 February 1945 Plymouth, England-27 February 1913 London, England), preceded by the Arrogant-class and succeeded by the Highflyer-class.
2. Of the Pelorus-class protected cruisers 3rd class,designed by chief constructor of the British Royal Navy Sir William White (2 February 1945 Plymouth, England-27 February 1913 London, England), preceded by the Arrogant-class and succeeded by the Highflyer-class. Laid down by Chatahm Dockyard on 16 December 1897, launched on 28 June 1899, completed on 23 January 1900, commissioned on 10 July 1900, decommissioned on 29 November 1912, handed over to Australia on 28 November 1912, commissioned on 7 November 1913, decommissioned on 7 November 916 and scuttled on 18 February 1931 off Sydney Heads.
The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1904-1905 reported that the British cruiser 3rd class HMS Mutine visited Tandjong-Priok, Dutch East Indies between 1-3 March 1905. The Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 2 March 1903 reported her arrival supplying some details. Commanding officer was E.E. Lacey, measurement 253 tons, crew numbering 105 men (including 8 officers), armed with 6 guns, coming from Thursday Island and bound for England.
Note
1. Part of the Condor-class screw steam sloops, laid down with yard number 635 by Laird Brothers&Co., Birkenhead, England in 1898, launched on 1 March 1900, survey ship since 1907, depot ship at Bermuda since 1917, drill ship for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve since 1925 and finally sold on 16 August 1932.
The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1903-1904 reported that the British cruiser HMS Ringarooma visited Tandjong Priok, Dutch East Indies between 31 August-2 September 1904. The Soerabaijasch handelsblad dated 25 August referred to the Javabode announcing the visit on short notice of the British cruiser 3rd class Ringarooma (2.575 ton) and destroyer Boomerang (735 ton) coming from Australia. The Bataviaasch niewsblad dated 1 September reported her arrival coming from Sydney, Australia via Thursday Island and bound for Colombo, Ceylon, Armed with 20 guns, a crew numbering 220 men (including 14 officers) and commanded by G.A. Harding(e). According to the Scheepvaart dated 7 September she and the Boomerang left on 2 September bound for Colombo.
Note
Part of Pearl-class 3rd class cruisers, preceded by Barham-class, succeeded by Apollo-class, launched at the shipyard of J.&G. Thomson, Glasgow, Scotland as Psyche on 10 December 1889, renamed on 2 April 1890, sold to be broken up on 15 May 1906, armament of 8-4.7” quick firing guns, 8-3pd guns, 4 machine guns and 2-14“/35,6cm torpedo tubes.
The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1898-1899 reported that the German cruiser 3rd class SMS Falke (1) visited Batavia, Dutch East Indies between 19-24 August 1899. The Dutch newspaper Preanger-bode dated 18 August 1899 reported that her arrival at Tandjong Priok was expected on 18 August. The Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 21 August reported that the Dutch commander-in-chief invited the etat-majors of the German warship Falke, the British warship HMS Phoenix, the British and German consuls, the etat-major of the Dutch guard ship and the officers of the department for navy for a dinner. The Soerabaijasch Nieuwsblad dated 22 August reported her arrival at Batavia on Saturday morning 19 August coming from Thursday Island commanded by Schoenfelder or Schönfelder at Tandjong Priok bound for Colombo and intended to stay 6 days. Her crew numbered 170 men including 9 officers and she was armed with 8-10,5cm guns and 5 revolver guns. The Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 24 August reported the departure towards Kiel, Germany.
Note
1. Part of the Bussard-class unprotected cruisers, preceded by Schwalbe-class, succeeded by SMS Gefion, laid down at the Kaiserliche Werft, Kiel, Germnay with the contract name “D” in January 1890, launched on 4 April 1891, commissioned on 14 September 1891, stricken on 25 October 1912 and broken up in 1913.
