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Monday 18 August 2014

The condition of the Dutch Zr.Ms. paddle steamship 2nd class Zr.Ms. Cycloop as described in a letter to the editor published in the Dutch newspaper Java-bode dated 17 April 1873

In a letter published in this newspaper an anonymous  Dutch navy officer described the miserable condition of the Dutch warships serving at that moment in the Dutch East Indies. He was quite cynical in his comment dealing with the condition of the ships ending with the phrase Happy Indies! Happy Navy! Poor Netherlands!

The Zr.Ms. Cycloop was although decommissioned still not be condemned probably to pretend she was still part of the naval strength. It was however possible to repair her for a ‘civilian’ price of ƒ 450.000!

Note
1. Paddle steamship 2nd class, on stocks at navy yard at Vlissingen, Netherlands by A.E. Tromp on 23 July 1840, launched 13 June 1843, refitted to be used as transport for royalties 1845, docked at the navy yard at Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands 11-14 September 1850, 13-February-2 September and 15 Novemner-1 December 1856 and 29 July-1 August 1861, condemned and stricken 1873, dimensions 47,00 (on load lone between perpendiculars) x 8,95 (inner hull) x 3,5 (medium0 x 5,36 (hold amidships to main deck) metres, 875 tons displacement, 6 guns (consisting of 1-20cm grenade gun, 1 rifled 16cm gun, 4-30 pd carronades, according to Obreen in wartime 2-20“grenade guns, 4 medium 30pd guns, in peace time 2lomng 30pd guns, 2-medium 30pd guns and 10-1pd swivels)), 220 hp horsepower and a crew numbering 90-100 men.