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. 

Venezuelan steam warship Libertador bound for St. Thomas according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 25 May 1850

An item referred to tidings received from Puerto Cabello reporting that the Venezuelan steam warship Libertador departed from there to Barcelona to load coal, embark at Cumana general Paez and continued her voyage towards St. Thomas.(1)

Note
1. The island Sankt Thomas was then a Danish colony nowadays part  of the United States Virgin islands.

St. Thomas asking for an American station ship according to the Dutch newspaper Het Vaderland: staat- en letterkundig nieuwsblad evening edition dated 5 February 1935

St. Thomas which was the largest island of the Virgin Islands a former Danish colony which was bought in 1916 by the United States of America asked the American government to station a warship over there. The reason was not that the inhabitants expected a war but they believed that the expenses done by the officers and other crewmembers of such a ship was sufficient enough to sort out the finance of the island. According to them possessed the island a magnificent harbour to station such a ship and the island didn’t have to ask any more for financial support of the American government. (1)

Note
1. In the past were the island regularly visited by ships of the Danish navy.

Colombian brig Vencedor visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated Saturday 21 June 1823

An item referred to a letter from St. Bartholomews dated the 8th reporting that commodore Daniels arrived at Willemstad, Curacao with the Colombian brig Vencedor a day earlier departing La Guayra on the 3rd and bound for St. Thomas to be repaired.

American schooner Catharina en Joanna was plundered by South American privateer according to the Dutch newspaper Nederlandsche staatscourant dated 15 August 1818

An item dated New York, USA 11th July reported close to the island Cuba that the schooner Catharina en Joanna was plundered by a privateer of Carthagena. The schooner was underway from St. Thomas and the USA. Around 6.000 dollars was stolen, mainly property of a French passenger. The waters around Cuba were harassed by privateers although by the journalist called pirates and he wished that the US navy took measures.

Dutch passenger ship ms Oranje 1937-1964 (Angelino Lauro 1964-1979)

Laid down by the Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij, Amsterdam for account of the Stoomvaart Maatschappij ‘Nederlands’for the hipping on the Dutch East Indies with yard number 270 on 2 July 1937, christened and launched by the Dutch queen Wilhelmina on 8 September 1938, commissioned on 15 July 1939, to be fitted out as auxiliary cruiser nut not realized, in the Second World War since 1941 under Australian command used as hospital ship, sold to the Italian shipping company Flotta Lauro also known as StarLauro, renamed Angelina Lauro in 1964, re built by Cantueri del Tirreno, Genoa, Italy, heavily damaged after a fire broke out near the American Virgin Islands, sunk at Saint Thomas, underway towards Taiwan sunk on 25 September 1979.

Gross register tonnage 20.117-24.337 (after 1966( tons and as dimensions 200,1  x 25,45 x 8,64 metres. Accommodation for 740-1.230 (after 1966) passengers and a crew numbering 383 men. IMO 5264077. The machinery consisted of 3-12 cylinder Sulzer diesel electric engines supplying 37.500 hp allowing with the 3 screws a speed of 22-26 (trial) knots. 

German 3-mast top sailing schooner (ex-Vanessa Ann 1950-1994) Santa Barbara Anna 1994-

Rostock, Germany 10 August 2016

Rostock, Germany 12 August 2016

Germany-flagged, MMSI 211360780 and call sign DBRO. Built by Richards Ironworks, Lowestoft, England for account of Rhondda Fishing Co. Ltd., Grimsby, England as ocean going diesel trawler with pennant LT254 named Vanessa Ann in 1950. Sold to Dalby Steam Fishing Co.Ltd., Fleetwoord, England in 1957 with pennant FD 133. Later used as accommodation ship for the oil platforms in the North Sea.  With damaged machinery laid up in 1973 and finally sold to Alan W. Smallwood. His intention was to convert her into a floating workshop to serve in the South Pacific. At Esberg, Denmark new engine placed and then started the conversion in Victoria Dock, London, England but sold in 1984 before completed. Between 1984-1985 at Padstow, Cornwall, England converted into a passenger ship for daiy trips and rigged like a schooner. Intended to start with the trips with Antigua as homeport in 1985. Sold and now stationed at Barbados in 1986. Returned towards Plymouth, England via US Virgin Islands. Sold in 1993 and renamed Santa Barbara Anna in 1994. 

British privateer Kent captured in the West Indies by Danish frigate according to the Dutch newspaper Bataafsche staats-courant dated 7 March 1806

An item reported that on 9 December 1805 the British privateer Kent of 14 guns which was for a long time active in the West Indies and chased or visited several Danish merchant ships was taken by the Danish frigate stationed in the West Indies and brought to St. Croix (1) where she was guarded by the guns of the fortress over there. The advocate of the Danish crown would start a lawsuit against the captain of the privateer.

Note
1. A former Danish colony nowadays part of the US Virgin Islands.

British 4th rate HMS Salisbury visited St. Thomas according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 17 June 1820

An item reported the arrival at St. Thomas on 6 June of the British HMS Salisbury flagship of rear admiral William Charles Fahie coming from the Windwards Isles.(1)

Note
1. 4th Rate, launched at the Deptford dockyard, England on 21 June 1814, sold to be broken up in January 1837, a 1199 tons builders measurement and an armament of 58 guns.

British 5th rate HMS Euryalus visited St. Thomas according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 17 June 1820

An item reported the arrival at St. Thomas on 1 June of the British frigate HMS Euryalus captain Huskinson coming from St. Kitts and departing the next morning towards England.(1)

Note
1. 5th rate, England, launched at Adams, Bucklers Hard, England 6 June 1803, prison ship 1826, renamed Africa 1859, sold at Gibraltar on 16 August 1860, 946 tons builders measurement and an armament of , 36 guns.

British brig sloop Icarus arrived at Curacao coming from St. Thomas according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 29 August 1829

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao on last Tuesday of the British brig HMS Icarus (1) captain Mayue coming from St. Thomas.(1).

Notes
1. Brig sloop of the Cherokee-class, launched at Portsmouth dockyard, England on 18 August 1814, coastguard 1839, sold on 4 April 1861 and armament of 10 guns.
2. Danish colony, nowadays part of the US Virgin Islands.

British brig sloop HMS Espiegle departed Curacao towards St. Thomas according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 12 September 1829

An item reported the departure from Willemstad, Curacao on Tuesday 8th of the British corvette HMS Espiegle (1) towards St. Thomas.(2)

Notes
1. Brig sloop of the Cruizer-class, launched at the shipyard of Bailey, Ipswich, England 10 August 1812, sold in 1832 with an armament of 18 guns.
2. Former Danish colony, nowadays part of the US Virgin Islands.

German steam warship Viktoria visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 1 April 1876

An item reported the departure from Willemstad, Curacao on Saturday the25th of the German steam warship Victoria commanded by C. Donner towards St. Thomas.(1)

Note
1. Correct spelling Victoria, Laid down as the shipyard of Armand Fréres, Bordeaux, France with the imaginary Japanese name Osakka for account of the Confederate States and to be commissioned as the Lousiana and launched in 1864. The French emperor Napoleon III however forbade her delivery and she was sold on 13 May to Prussia and renamed the 31th Victoria. Stricken on 14 April 1891 and finally sold at Hamburg, Germany the next year. With a displacement of 1.827 (design)-2.272 (maximum) tons were her dimensions 75,20 (waterline)-81,50 (over all) x 11,1 x 5,03 (fore)-5,62 (aft) metres. Maximum speed 13, 5 knots, a crew numbering maximum223 men and an origin al armament consisting of 8-24pd guns, 6 long 12 pd guns (later replaced by 4-15cm guns), 6-12cm guns and 1-8cm gun.

American squadron expected at St. Thomas according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 25 September 1819

An item referred to an item dated St. Thomas 9th July reporting that daily a American squadron was expected and to be stationed there. It consisted of the 36-gun Constellation flagship of commodore Perry, 32-gun John Adams, the Ontario captain Ridgely and the 14-gun schooner Nonsuch.(1)

Note
1. Sankt Thomas then a Danish colony nowadays part of the US Virgin Islands.

Danish screw steam frigate Jylland visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 24 December 1874

An item reported the arrival at St. Thomas on the 15th of the Danish steam corvette Jylland (1) commanded by Schoneheyer coming via England and Cadiz from Copenhagen, Denmark.(2)

Notes
1. On stocks at the navy yard at Copenhagen, Denmark 11 June 1856, launched 20 November 1860, commissioned May 1862, decommissioned on 14 May 1908, displacement 2.450 tons. dimensions 204'4" (prow) x 42 x 19‘(draught)) or 71,0 x 13,5 x 6,0 metres, an original armament of 44-30 pd guns, since 1864 32-30pd guns, 8-18pd rifled guns and 4-12pd rifled guns and finally 20-6” muzzle loaders, 6-5” breech loaders, 6 revolver guns, 1-3,7cm breech loader and 1 machine guns, speed 9-11 knots and a crew numbering >405-437< men.
2. The island Sankt Thomas was than a Danish colony nowadays part  of the United States Virgin islands.

German steam flush decked corvette Augusta visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 24 December 1874

An item reported the arrival on Sunday the 20th of the German steam warship Augusta commanded by Freiherr von der Goltsz coming from Maracaibo. The edition dated 31 December 1874 reported the visit on board of the German steam warship Augusta (1) commanded by Freiherr von der Goltz on Tuesday 23rd November by the Dutch governor. The edition dated 9 January 1875 reported her departure from Willemstad, Curacao on Monday the 4th towards Europe via St. Thomas.(2) The edition dated the 30th reported her departure on 10 January from St. Thomas towards Santander, Spain.

Notes
1. Laid down as the shipyard of Armand Fréres, Bordeaux, France with the imaginary Japanese name Yeddo for account of the Confederate States and to be commissioned as the Mississippi and launched in 1864. The French emperor Napoleon III however forbade her delivery and she was sold on 13 May to Prussia and renamed the 31th Augusta. Finally sunk during a hurricane in the Gulf of Aden on 2 June 1885. With a displacement of 1.827 (design)-2.272 (maximum) tons were her dimensions 75,20 (waterline)-81,50 (over all) x 11,1 x 5,03 (fore)-5,62 (aft) metres. Maximum speed 13, 5 knots, a crew numbering maximum223 men and an origin al armament consisting of 8-24pd guns, 6 long 12 pd guns (later replaced by 4-15cm guns), 6-12cm guns and 1-8cm gun.
2. The island Sankt Thomas a former Danish colony nowadays part of the of the United States Virgin islands.

Danish corvette Najade visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated Saturday 14 December 1822

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao on Wednesday afternoon of the Danish 20-gun corvette Najade (1) captain Uldall coming from St. Thomas (2) with as last stop Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. The edition dated 21 December 1822 reported the departure on last Saturday towards Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Notes
1. Laid down at Nyholm, Copenhagen 17 August 1818, launched on 26 May 1820, de commissioned 1852, designed by Schifter, measurement 266,75 last and as dimensions119'6" (prow) x 29'3" (tømmeret) x 12’5½ (fore)-13'11½” (aft), an armament of 20-18pd guns and a crew numbering  130 men.
2. The island Sankt Thomas was than a Danish colony nowadays part  of the United States Virgin islands.

American paddle steamship USS Rhode Island visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated Saturday 14 April 1866

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao on Saturday the7th the USS Rhode Island (1) commanded by captain lieutenant D.M.N. Fairfax, flagship of rear admiral James S. Palmer, coming from La Guayra. On Wednesday departed she to St. Thomas.(1) Palmer visited on Saturday morning the Dutch governor who paid on his respect on Wednesday afternoon.

Notes
1. Side-wheel paddle steamship built in 1860 as the John P. King at the shipyard of Lupton&McDermut at New York Citiy, USA. Burnt already a year later and afterwards rebuilt as the Eagle. The same year acquired by the navy on 27 June from Spotford, Tieston&Company. Commissioned as the USS Rhode Island on 29 July at the New York Navy yard, decommissioned on 3 October 1864, sold for use in the merchant shipping on 1 October 1867, renamed Charleston was she finally abandoned in 1885. With a displacement 1.541 tons/1.517 long tons with as dimensions 71,98 x 11,18 x 4,6 metre sor 236’2”x 36’8’x 15’. With a speed of 16 knots, a crew numbering 257 men and an armament as a supply vessel between 1861-1864 consisting of 4-32pd guns, and since 1864 when se served as an auxiliary cruiser of 1-28cm/11” guns, 8-20cm/8” guns, 1-30pd Parrot rifle and 1-12pd rifle.
2. The island Sankt Thomas nowadays part of the of the United States Virgin Islands.

Danish screw steam frigate Jylland visited Willemstad, Curacao according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 30 January 1875

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao of the Danish steam warship Jylland (1) commanded by Schönheider arriving on the 9th at St. Thomas (2) after patrolling leaving the 11th again for a patrol voyage.(1)

Notes
1. On stocks at the navy yard at Copenhagen, Denmark 11 June 1856, launched 20 November 1860, commissioned May 1862, decommissioned on 14 May 1908, displacement 2.450 tons. dimensions 204'4" (prow) x 42 x 19‘(draught)) or 71,0 x 13,5 x 6,0 metres, an original armament of 44-30 pd guns, since 1864 32-30pd guns, 8-18pd rifled guns and 4-12pd rifled guns and finally 20-6” muzzle loaders, 6-5” breech loaders, 6 revolver guns, 1-3,7cm breech loader and 1 machine guns, speed 9-11 knots and a crew numbering >405-437< men.
2. The island Sankt Thomas was than a Danish colony nowadays part  of the United States Virgin islands.

Danish steam screw corvette Hejmdal visited Willemstad, Curacao coming from Santo Domingo according to the Dutch newspaper De Curacaosche courant dated 26 February 1859

An item reported the arrival at Willemstad, Curacao on Monday the 21st of the Danish steam warship Heimdal captain J.L. Gottlieb coming from Santo Domingo.(1) While in the Schottegat anchoring were salutes exchanged with the Waterfront. The next afternoon was she visited by the Dutch governor. On Thursday was at the house of the governor a dinner presented to her commanding officer and etat major. She departed in the afternoon of the 25th back to Santo Domingo to pick up there commodore Christmas, commissary of the Danish crown at the Dominican government to sale the problems after the capture of three Danish schooners by Dominican warships. Christmas was to be brought back to the island St. Kruis.(2)

Notes
1. Laid down at the naval dock yard at Copenhagen, Denmark on 22 August 1853, launched on 24 June 1856, commissioned on 18 May 1857 and finally decommissioned on 3 September 1886. With a displacement of 868 tons were her dimensions 51,8 x 9,2 x 4,7 metres. Speed 10 knots. Her armament consisted of 14-30pd guns and 2-18pd rifled guns.
2. Danish colony sold on 12 December 1916 to the USA and nowadays part of the United States Virgin Islands.