The possibility of a French naval base on Madagascar according to the Dutch newspaper Schiedamsche Courant dated 16 August 1921

The correspondent of the newspaper The Times at Cape town, South Africa reported that the French cabinet considered the establishment of a naval base on the South East coast of Madagascar. The French sloop Bellatrix made a survey voyage along the coast between Manajary and Farafangana and it was expected that the base was located between these two points. The base was to be used by the fleet division which was again stationed in the Indian Ocean.

Dutch shipyard Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij building 3 Shell tankers according to Dutch newspapers in 1937

The Koninklijke Shell gave the yard of the Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij the order of for building 3 tankers with a cargo capacity of 12,100 tons. These 3 tankers were similar to the one the RDM was building for Shell and also were to be fitted out with Werkspoor Supercharged diesels

This item was published by several Dutch newspapers namely Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 13 March 1937, the Tribune dated 16 and March, the Limburger koerier 13 and 18 March,  Nieuwe Tilburgsche Courant dated 17 March, the Nieuwsblad van het Noorden dated 12 and 17 March and the Het Vaderland evening edition dated 12 and 17 March 1937, Nieuwsblad van Friesland dated 17 March, Nieuwe Tilburgsche Courant dated 12 March and the De Sumatra Post dated 13 March.

Colombian, Greek, Russian and Turkish navies according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 11 November 1822

Livorno, 25 October. The Greeks at Livorno got tidings that there were fights at sea with the Turkish 20, 22 and 26 September without large success for the Greeks due to the contrary wind and attacks with fire ships not possible were. Although one fire ship did reach an Algerian frigate, there wasn’t a success to report because the fire extinguished. The admirals’ ship of the Greeks became unfortunately between two Turkish ships, which fired both one broadside, but fearing she was a fire ship sailed away. This is the main reason that the Turkish seldom attacked Greek ships.

London, 5 November. A messenger from the capital city of Colombia brought a proclamation signed by Sant Andero and a bill worth 40.000 British pounds which Mr. Zea could spend for the buying of 2 warships.

Petersburg, 18 October. The Russian admiralty now possessed 5 navy yards. The building of 60-120 gun ship lasted 2 years. When a ship was actually launched, received the ships builder from the emperor for each gun porthole 3 silver roubles on a plate. The first voyage of each ship was on the East Sea.

Dutch shipyards building for the Soviet Union according to the Dutch newspaper Het Vrije Volk dated 10 July 1948

An item reported that Dutch shipyards would built 3 cargo vessels ice strengthened with a capacity of 5.000 ton and a number of tankers and reefers for frozen fish for account  of the Soviet Union. The latter to be delivered within 3-5 years.(1) Further more was within 5 year a completely fitted out (including cooling machines) whaling mother ship of 22.500 tons and a whale hunter to be delivered.

Note
1. The Kon. Mij. De Schelde delivered several ships in the fifties and sixties starting with the ice strengthened cargo ships Lena, Yenisei and the Ob launched in 1954.

The Japanese fleet and merchant ships at Yedo, Japan during the earl of Elgin’s visit and described by Laurence Oliphant in 1859

Thanks to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are able to read books that are some times for decades no longer available for the public for several reasons. That's quite a pity while these books contains useful information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor accessible.

P. 93: “The water now became shallow, and the channel somewhat intricate. We were just doubting whether the undertaking was practicable, when we saw in the distance some large square-rigged ships, of a tonnage which satisfied us that their anchorage would do for us; but for a moment we felt bitterly disappointed at the discovery of European-built ships, betokening, as we supposed, the presence of some foreign flag more enterprising than our own. It was only when we approached nearer that we perceived that these western-looking craft were in reality Japanese, and observed the white flag with the red ball floating from the peak of a dapper little steamer, and marking it “Imperial.”

p. 96: On the following morning, finding by our boats that we could get nearer the shore, we ran on into three fathom water, and anchored about a mile and a half from it, and in the midst of the Japanese fleet. This con-

p. 97: sisted of two large square-rigged ships, a pretty little paddle-wheel steamer, which had been purchased from the Dutch Government, and a three-masted schooner.”

p. 99: “The next day, however, was so wet that we could hardly blame them for not braving the elements ; and to relieve the monotony, a party of us went on a voyage of exploration to the largest ship in the fleet, and then on to the forts. Both the square-rigged ships looked like those cumbrous arks in which our ancestors used to circumnavigate the globe, and were, in fact, built upon old Dutch models, although of recent construction. The one we boarded was painted a bright red; her masts were of ponderous size, built and ribbed with iron hoops; the rigging bleached white, and ragged from the action of the weather and the absence of tar. We ascended the heavy ladder to a large square hole,

p. 100: which admitted us to the main deck. We were most civilly received by an individual who may be supposed to have been the officer of the watch, and shown over the ship. Two or three 32-pound Paixhan guns were lying about, but there was not a vestige of a carriage, or any bolts for side-tackles. The scantling was of enormous thickness, and the port-holes were closed with clumsily-built shutters. There was an appearance of comfort, nevertheless, about the main-deck generally, which was inhabited by the crew, whose mats were all neatly arranged round it. The lower deck was empty, with the exception of a few stores and water-casks. Under a high poop astern was the captain’s cabin. We entered it, and found two or three naval dignitaries squatted upon the floor drinking tea; one of these we afterwards discovered to be the Admiral-in-Chief of the Imperial navy. He was appointed one of the Commissioners to treat with Lord Elgin, and proved to be a most intelligent person. We had no idea that the plain-looking group before us contained so important a personage; and in answer to a polite invitation to join their party, we twisted our legs under us, received from them pipes containing homoeopathic doses of tobacco in exchange for our cigars, and refreshed ourselves with some delicious tea. Unfortunately, we were compelled to confine our observations to smacking our lips and puffing out smoke, for we were without an interpreter. We did, indeed, ultimately, by the exercise of great intelligence on both sides, get

p. 101: so far as to learn the Japanese numerals up to ten, and teach them the English ; but the intellectual effort was too great to be sustained; and we parted with feelings of mutual relief, and the warmest expressions of goodwill, as conveyed in our mother tongue. The cabin in which we had been entertained was devoid of furniture, as rooms in Japan always are; but the mats were soft, and there was an air of comfort and cleanliness about the apartment. It was built apparently of fir-wood, the carpentering of perfect workmanship.” We now made for the left-hand point of the left-hand fort, taking advantage of the opportunity to sound as we sailed slowly along. We found the forts constructed of huge blocks of stone, surmounted by guns of large calibre, and staked round with piles. Considerable knowledge of fortification has been displayed both in their construction and situation. They extend in a parallel line with the coast for some distance. Between some of them the water is so shallow as not even to admit of the passage of boats; between the two westernmost, however, it is comparatively deep. We were in the deepest channel, to judge from the size of the native craft which chose it, and found at half flood eight feet of water at our furthest sounding. At this point numbers of junks were anchored, and some small schooners built from European models. The largest of these junks may have been of 150 tons burden, high-sterned, heavily-masted, quaint-looking craft: the masts are not composed of a single spar, but built and ribbed with iron, rising

p. 102: from the deck like some gigantic forest-tree to a height of forty or fifty feet: the top of the mast was slightly bent, and from it depended a vast expanse of a coarse cotton fabric, attached to a yard on the same scale as the mast, so massive, that to hoist it must be as laborious an operation as weighing anchor. The rudder projects far astern, and is moved by a huge tiller extending half the length of the craft. An extensive assortment of anchors garnish the bow, and on deck there is frequently a thatched shed for the crew. Altogether the rig is clumsy to the nautical eye; but we met several of their junks making good weather of it when it was blowing freshly. It is said, however, that a Government rule exists, compelling them to be
p. 103: built on a principle which renders it dangerous for them to venture far from shore, so as to prevent their visiting foreign countries.”

Source
Laurence Oliphant. Narrative of the Earl of Elgin’s Mission to China and Japan in the years 1857, ’58, ‘59. London, vol. II, 1859.

Raglan Harbour, S. Auckland, New Zealand

The New York Public Libary Digital Collections.

George Arents Collection. Cigarette Cards. Original url

Bathhouse built on Dutch navy shipyard at Den Helder, Netherlands according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1903-1904 no. 7

An item reported that at Willemsoord, Netherlands was started with the building of a bathhouse for navy sailors near the large Sea locks on the navy yard. It was to consist of 34 bathrooms with spray baths and to be completed within 3 months. 

Coal depots in the Dutch East Indies according to the Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1914-1915

Except for the navy coal depot at Bandjermasin, Dutch East Indies provided with Teweh (Borneo) coal under a contract for a year, were the other coal depots provided with Ombilin and Poeloe-Laoet coal or even Cardiff and American coal. Laoet coal was mainly used for the eastern depots. In some depots was Cardiff coal stored and due to the political situation (1) was Cardiff coal also stored on other points divided over the Archipelago. The coal depot at Merauke which already for a long time was no longer provided was closed. The contract with the Naamlooze Vennootschap “Zeehaven en Kolenstation Sabang” for the delivery of coal at Sabang was with one year lengthened.

Note
1. The First World War 28 July 1914-11 November 1918 in which the Netherlands was neutral. 

France demilitarizing naval bases according to the Dutch newspaper Nieuwe Venlosche courant dated 26 June 1940

An item reported that as a result of the armistice between France and Italy was decided that during the war between the United Kingdom and Italy the French military and maritime defence works and the naval bases at Toulon (mainland France), Bizerte (Tunisia), Ajaccio, Corsica and Oran, Algeria were to be demilitarized within two weeks for the time being.(1)

Note
1. Italy declared war on France on 10 June 1940 followed by an armistice signed on 24 June 1940 effective a day later. 

Dry dock at naval arsenal, Rochefort, France 21 October 2016

The floating dock at St. Thomas 30 March 1866 according to the House of Commons papers

Thanks to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are able to read books that are some times for decades no longer available for the public for several reasons. That's quite a pity while these books contains useful information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor accessible. Of essential interest for navy and merchant ships was where in the world dock (yard) facilities were available for ordinary repairs or in case of emergency. The costs of using such a facility was of course also of interest and finally these information was of great value in times of war.

P. 415: “The dredging machine imported by the town is reported to have done considerable good in removing shoals and banks, and in deepening in and about the harbour. The town and many private houses are now lighted with gas. Water (rain) is generally scarce here; house owners have cisterns attached to their dwellings for private use; there are no reservoirs in the town. It has often been said that the Government would build a large reservoir for the use of the poorer classes, but as yet they have not taken any steps in the matter.” and
“The floating dock is still in course of construction, but I am informed that in May or June next it will be ready for work and capable of taking up vessels of 3,000 tons. The dock, and the patent slip, constructed some years ago (and which can raise vessels up to 1,000 tons), are great conveniences; for the proper repairing of vessels that put in here in distress and otherwise. Two steam tugs have been built here in 1866, and are of some service in towing vessels in and from the harbour.”

Source
House of Commons papers, vol. 68.

The government graving dock at New York according to The rudiments of civil engineering: for the use of beginners of 1852

P. 95: “Graving docks (or dry docks) are docks constructed for the reception of vessels while undergoing repairs. They are usually made of such dimensions as to contain only one vessel at a time; their sides are formed in steps, so that the form of the dock is somewhat similar to that of the vessel which it is to contain, but sufficient space is left around it to enable the workmen to get at every part of the bottom of the vessel, and to afford sufficient light for the necessary repairs to be made. The entrance of the dock is closed with gates, precisely similar to those which we have described as belonging to canal locks, by which means, when the vessel has been floated into the dock and the gates closed, the water is pumped out of the dock, leaving it perfectly dry, the vessel being supported on timber struts and shores resting upon the steps already mentioned, as forming the sides of the dock. The accompanying plates are of a very fine graving dock, which is now being constructed by the American Government, at their dock-yard near New York. Figure 86 is a longitudinal section, taken along the center of the dock; figure 87 is a plan; figure 88, a front view of the entrance; figure 89, a transverse section through the center of the dock; and figure 90

p. 98: another transverse section through the recess for the lock gates. The dimensions of the dock are sufficient to contain the largest vessel in the American Navy, its length within the gates being 320 feet, its breadth 93 feet, and the width of the lock gates 70 feet. The manner in which the vessels are supported upon timber struts, when the water has been withdrawn from the dock, is shown in figure 89, from which it will be seen that ready access is afforded to every part of the vessel. In order that the bottom of the dock may be at all times dry and free from water, it is formed with a slight inclination from A to B (figure 86), and a gutter is carried across the dock at the lower end, leading into a drain or culvert, c c, which passes entirely round the dock, as shown in figures 86 and 89, with a gradual fall towards D ; and, the water being constantly pumped out of the culvert, it is impossible for any to accumulate at the bottom of the dock. Several flights of steps (E, E, E,) are provided in different parts of the dock for the use of the workmen, by which they are enabled to reach any part of the vessel with great facility.”

Source
Henry Law, George Rowdon Burnell. The rudiments of civil engineering: for the use of beginners. Vol II. London, 1852.

The dockyard at Devonport in December 1836 according to the United Service Magazine

Thanks to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are able to read books that are some times for decades no longer available for the public for several reasons. That's quite a pity while these books contains useful information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor accessible. In this case the letters written to the journal gives us more information about the dock yards including the manners to protect ships against weather conditions by using for instance (temporary) housings.

In a letter to the editor dated Plymouth 21 December 1836 was described what was going on at the yard, which ships were available, which were repaired and so on. In the same letter was also the damage described caused by heavy gales that same year. (1)

P. 114: “There is not a great deal to communicate from this port this month in the shape of naval intelligence. The ships in commission are the Adelaide, flag-ship, 110; San Josef, 110; Talavera, 74; Stag, 46; Savage, 10; Pigeon, packet; Netley, tender to Adelaide. The ships which are in dock, under repair, are the Wellesley, 74 ; Druid, 46; and Fisgard, 46; and the following are bringing forward for commission, making good defects, &c, viz., Scylla, 18, at the Jetty, ready for commissioning; Trinculo, 10, at the Jetty, also ready for commissioning; the Comus, 18, in dock, will shortly be in a fit state for commissioning, and so will the Wizard, 10, in dock; the Reynard packet is under examination to ascertain her state, being supposed to be in a defective condition. The ships building are the St. George, 120; Nile, 92, on the stocks, ready for launching; the Hindostan, 80, teak ship, in frame, standing to season; the

p. 115: Flora, 36, also standing to season; and the Sappho brig, 16, nearly finished. The Talavera, Captain W. B. Mends, was towed into harbour on the 17th instant by the Blazer steam-vessel, to have her defects attended to, also to be caulked ; and it is expected that she will go into dock very shortly. The Stag, 46, Captain T. B. Sullivan, is alongside the dock-yard, equipping for sea. She was commissioned on the 29th ultimo by Lieutenant Worth, late of the Endymion, paid off at this port on the 25th ultimo. The Stag is manning tolerably fast, being only about one-third short of her complement of men, which is to be 275. The armament of this frigate is to undergo an entire change, as the whole of her guns are henceforth to be 32-pounders, instead of 24-pounders, as when recently commanded by Captain Lockyer. The following are the particulars of the former and present armament: Main deck former armament 28-24 pdrs, 47Cwt weight, length 9”0‘, present 28-32 pdrs, weight 39 Cwt and length 7”6‘; Quarter-deck and forecastle, former armament 2-24pdrs, weight 47Cwt, length 9”0‘, 2-24pdr gunnades, 14-24pdr carronades, weight 13 Cwt, present 4-32pdr, weight 39Cwt, length 7”7‘,14-32pdr carronades, weight 16Cwt, former and present total number of guns 46. The effect of this change will be to alter the amount and distribution of the weights which constitute the armament and ammunition. The guns will weigh less than formerly, and, being shorter, will elevate and depress more than the 24-pounders; the shot will be one-third heavier, since the number of rounds (eighty) will not be altered; and the powder will be about one-fourth lighter, since the charge will be reduced from 8 lbs. to 6 lbs.; and hence the capacity for stowage in the magazine will be greatly improved. The Stag was originally intended to be an 18pounder frigate, and was got up in frame accordingly at Pembroke dockyard, but she underwent some alteration while on the stocks, to qualify her for the reception of 24-pounders, with which she was, in the first instance, armed. She now carries the heaviest description of broadside shot in use in the British Service. The Savage, 10, was commissioned on the 19th by Lieutenant Hon. E. Curzon. The Pigeon packet, commanded by Lieutenant W. Luce, has had a new main-deck, and is under repair at one of the jetties. The Netley tender is in the basin, undergoing a general repair. The Wellesley and Druid, in dock, will be undocked in the course of the ensuing month. The Scylla and Trinculo are complete, by the dock-yard. The Rhadamanthus arrived from San Sebastian on Sunday the 18th instant; her despatches were forwarded to London by that morning’s mail, but nothing has transpired to lead to the belief that they contained intelligence of any particular importance. She brought home four invalids. The accounts which are given by every one of the behaviour of the Rhadamanthus in the gales which she has encountered, prove her to be eminently qualified for the tempestuous weather to which her services expose her; and it is universally allowed that she reflects much professional credit on her constructor, Mr. Roberts, the veteran master-shipwright of

p. 116: the dock-yard, who made his first and only trial of skill in the successful construction of this steam-ship. She is a vessel of 812 tons burden; she is 164 feet 4 inches long, and 32 feet 8 inches broad; she has two engines of 110-horsepower each; and she is capable of carrying about 220 tons of coals, which are equal to about fifteen days' consumption. The Spitfire steamer arrived here on the 5th instant, and, from the state of her machinery, was immediately ordered round to Woolwich to make good her defects there. The Eclipse packet sailed hence for Chatham on the 27th ultimo, to be paid off; she started only two days previous to the gale, and on her passage round was dismasted. The Trinculo, Pigeon, Stag, and Wizard, have been docked during the month. The Britomart was paid odd to-day. Some of the shipwrights of the dock-yard have been employed extra time for the last month., the Admiralty have allowed several gangs of mastmakers and sawyers to work on Saturdays. Which is an idle day with the workmen. Except on extraordinary occasions, under a pressure of business. The object of this labour has been to provide what is considered to be a sufficient quantity of lower masts and bowsprits for the state of the store. Before I write to you again I expect that the new engine will be at work for pumping out the docks. The Menai schooner-yacht (175 tons), the property of Mr. Harvey, is in harbour; she is having her masts shortened, and undergoing some other alterations, previous to her departure for Malta, which is said to be her destination. A report obtained circulation about a week since that the Devon sailing lighter, on her passage across the Bay to San Sebastian, has been lost, but the rumour happily proves to be without foundation, as the Rhadamanthus brings word that the Devon was to sail for England the day after she left, which was this day se’night.”

Source
The United Service Magazine, volume 1850, no. 3, 1837.

Note
1. See on this weblog the note “A description of the damages at the British navy yard at Plymouth caused by storms in November 1836 according to the The United Service Magazine.

New docks at Portsmouth according to the Dutch newspaper De Sumatra Post dated 22 July 1910

The Civil Lord of the British Admiralty Lambert said in the Common House that the docks were reason for concerns by the admiralty(1). When the new dock facilities at Portsmouth were completed in 1914 became it possible to dock dreadnoughts despite which tidal it was.

Note
1. Mr. George Lambert (25 June 1866-17 February 1958), 1st Viscount Lambert, Civil Lord of the Admiralty 1905-1915.

The United States Navy, her strength and shipbuilding program between 1816 and 1834 according to the The National Calendar of 1836

Peter Force published in the The National Calendar interesting details dealing with the United States Navy and her shipbuilding programs between 1816 and 1834. For more information dealing with the navy yards see also several notes on this weblog. (1)

p. 201: “Statement of the measures which hat been taken to carry into effect the law for the gradual increase of the Navy, approved April 29, 1816, and March 3, 1821. The ships of the line Columbus, North Carolina, and Delaware, hare been built and in service for several years. The ship of the line, Ohio, was launched in May, 1820, but has never been equipped, nor has her hull been completed : she now requires repairs. The frigates Brandywine and Potomac have been completed, and employed for several years. Five ships of the line and seven frigates remain upon the stocks, all under tight houses. They are generally sound and in good condition, with the exception of the keels, keelsons, and deadwoods, of which some have become defective, and will require to be replaced. The ships are all, however, so far advanced that it is believed they can be completed and equipped by the time that crews could be collected for them. A steam vessel has been recently commenced, under this appropriation, at the navy yard at Brooklyn, and such arrangements made as the present state of the appropriation will justify.”
p. 202: “It may be proper to remark that additional appropriations will be necessary before these vessels can be completed as was more fully stated in a recent communication from the board. Vessels on the stocks. Statement of the vessels building at the different Navy Yards. Those building under the laws for the gradual increase of the navy are distributed as follows. At Portsmouth, N.H.: one ship of the line, one frigate; at Charlestown, Mass.: two ships of the line, one frigate; at Brooklyn, N.Y.: two frigates, one steam vessel; at Philadephia: one ship of the line, one frigate; at Washington: one frigate and at Gosport: one ship of the line, one frigate. All these vessels are under cover, and generally in good order, with the exception of their keels, keelsons, and deadwoods, of which some have been found to be defective. There is building at Norfolk a frigate, under the authority of the act of Congress of July 10, 1832, to replace the Macedonian; she has a roof over her, and is in a state of perfect preservation. Gradual improvements of the navy. Statement of the measures which hare been adopted to carry into effect the laws for the gradual improvement of the Navy, approved 3d March 1827, and 2d March, 1834. The live oak frames for four ships of the line, for seven frigates, and for four sloops of war, complete, have been delivered ; the greater part of the frames of a frigate and sloop of war have also been delivered at the navy yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and part of the frame of a sloop of war at the navy yard at Washington. The complete frames are distributed as follows: at the navy yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, for two ships of the line, for two frigates, and for one sloop of war; at the navy yard, Brooklyn, New York, for one frigate; at the navy yard, Philadelphia, for two frigates and one sloop of war; at the navy yard, Washington, for one frigate and one sloop of war and at the navy yard, Gosport, Virginia, for two ships of the line, one frigate, and one sloop of war. Contracts have been entered into, and have been in part executed, for the while oak mid yellow pine timber, and for the coppor and iron necessary, to complete the hulls of these vessels, and for their masts and spars. Dry docks at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and at Gosport, Virginia, have been built from this appropriation, and other expenses incurred, under the provisions of the law, for buildings to preserve the materials, for receiving and storing them, and for the purchase, selection, preservation and improvement of lands for the cultivation of live oak trees.”
p. 203: “Vessels in ordinary. Statement showing the names, distribution, and condition of the vessels in ordinary. At Portsmouth, N.H. Concord, sloop of war, nearly ready for sea. Lexington, sloop of war, repairs nearly completed. At Charlestown, Mass. Columbia, ship of the line, requires large repairs. Independence, ship of the line, under repair. Boston, sloop of war, nearly ready for sea. At Brooklyn, N.Y. Washington, ship of the line, requires very large repairs. Franklin, ship of the line, requires very large repairs. Ohio, ship of line, requires large repairs; few of her equipments have even been provided. United States, frigate, nearly ready for sea. Hudson, frigate, considered unfit for sea service. Notches, sloop of war, recently arrived, supposed to require considerable repairs. At Philadelphia. Warren, sloop of war, nearly ready for sea
p. 204: Cyane, sloop of war, condemned as unfit for service. Sea Gull, an old steam vessel, decayed and unfit for sea service. At Gosport, Va. North Carolina, ship of the line, under repair, Guerriere, frigate, requires very large repairs, or to be rebuilt. Java, frigate, unfit for sea service. Falmouth, sloop of war, requires large repairs. Grampus, schooner, requires large repairs.”

Source
Peter Force. The National Calendar, and annals of the United States. Washington, 1836, vol. 14. Digitized by Google.

Note
1. For instance “The navy yard at Washington described by William Elliot in 1833”.

British bark Lancaster examined on navy yard at Flushing, Netherlands according to the Dutch newspaper Middelburgsche courant dated 28 November 1863

An item reported that the same day the British bark Lancaster lying at Flushing, Netherlands with damage was drawn on the slipway of the navy to be examined.

Siangsjan not suitable as naval base according to the Dutch newspaper Vlissingse Courant dated 21 July 1910

Tsjang Sen Tsoen, viceroi of Nanking stated in a memorandum handed over to the cabinet that Siangsjan was totally unsuitable as a naval base and that the large expenses for increasing the navy were irresponsible. Further more pointed he out the inability of the Chinese navy officers who were responsible to organize the navy. The results to create a navy in the past had been unsuccessful and the common men already suffering had to pay for the large costs. According to the newspaper was the prince regent (1) impressed who intended to use a large sum of the heritage of the widow empress Tseusi for naval purposes.

Note
1. The last Chinese emperor was Aisin-Gioro 'Henry' Pu Yi (7 February 1906-17 October 1967) of the Qing-dynasty as emperor Xuangtong the eldest son of Zaifeng, the second prince Chun (12 February 1883-3 February 1951) also known as Yiyun and Shupi, who became regent. The widow empress must be empress regentesses Cixi 29 November 1835-15 November 1908) who had been regentesses for her nephew Zaitian who became emperor Guangxu (14 August 1871-14 November 1908). Pu Yi was a nephew of emperor Guangxu.

The French naval shipbuilding program according to the Dutch newspaper Schiedamsche Courant dated 2 December 1937

According to rumours in the Chamber said Campeche (1) against the naval commission the naval shipbuilding program which was two years earlier projected still was executed. The Jean Bart, the first of the four 35,000 tons battleships was for 55% completed and could be commissioned in 1939 and the Richelieu in 1940. Lacking a decreased budget was the founding of the new naval base at Mers-el-Kebir at Oran, Alger delayed but the activities were now accelerated resumed.

Note
1. César Campeche (Calcatoggio, Corse-du-Sudd 4 May 1882-Marseille 22 February 1941) minister of navy 22 June 1937-18 January 1938, of Justice 18 January 1938-13 March 1938 and again of the navy 13 march 1938-16 June 1940.

Pembroke dockyard ordered to start new building of warships according to the Dutch newspaper De Nederlander dated 13 April 1853

An item dated Pembroke 7 April reported that the navy shipyard there received orders to start in the summer with the building of 2-90 gun ships of the line, one 50-gun frigate and three smaller warships, all at least fitted out with auxiliary steam power and driven by screws.

A description of the navy yard at Brooklyn made by Carl David Arfwedson between 1832-1834

P. 332: Part of the United States’ Navy is stationed at one end of Brooklyn : it is less considerable than at Charlestown, but this station appears the more important of the two. Several menof-war and frigates were laid up under covered buildings, and a few new ships of the latter description were ready to be launched. The quantity of naval stores was also consi-

p. 233: derable. It was here that the steam-frigate Fulton unfortunately exploded in 1829, by which accident many persons were killed. The Americans have seven stations for their navy, viz. Portsmouth, Charlestown, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Norfolk, Pensacola. The whole number of ships amounts to forty, seven of which are men-ofwar, ten frigates, fifteen corvettes, and eight schooners. Of these, only twenty-one were laid up in 1832: the remainder were in commission in the Mediterranean, West Indies, South Seas, and Coast of Brazil. Five new ships and seven frigates were, about this period, on the stocks. The United States’ Navy is under the immediate direction of the Secretary of the Navy at Washington. The highest rank in the service is that of captain or commodore: the question of appointing admirals has been long agitated, but was not finally settled when I left America. Of captains there are about forty belonging to the service, and their pay, when on duty, is from two to three thousand dollars a year. The American naval officers are in general perfect gentlemen. By being a great deal in active service, they have seen much of the

p. 234: world, and, on board their ships, or wherever they are met on shore, show a degree of tact and good breeding, which redounds much to their credit. Like all seamen, they are frank, liberal, and stanch in their friendships. I had frequent opportunities of associating with some of these officers during my residence in America, and still retain the highest respect for their merits, and gratitude for attentions almost lavished upon me. A foreigner is never considered a stranger among them. Their artless and upright manner of acting inspires confidence at once. Rudeness and pride do not exist among them, from the youngest officer to the commodore of a squadron. With such seamen, it is not surprising that the Navy of the United States gains daily more and more respect among other nations.

Source

Carl David Arfwedson. The United States in 1832, 1833, and 1834, vol 1. London, 1834. Digitized by Google.