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Friday 9 September 2011

Dutch protected cruiser Hr.Ms. Noord-Brabant off Durazzo in 1914




The Dutch magazine De Prins dated 11 July 1914 page 21 published a photo of the Dutch protected cruiser [pantserdeckschip] Hr.Ms. Noord-Brabant off Durazzo with her barges transporting the body of the in Albany killed major Thomson.


The edition of the same magazine dated 25 July 1914 page 40 showed the arrival at IJmuiden, Netherlands.




She was laid down at the Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde at Flushing, Netherlands 31 August 1897, launched 17 January 1899, commissioned 1 March 1900, disarmed at the navy yard at Willemsoord in 1920 and stricken. It was the intention to fit her out as an accommodation ship for infants of which was taken care by the government (Department of Justice). Lacking enough funds this idea was temporarily stopped in August 1921, definitive in 1922 and she was laid up in conservation. She was transferred to the navy 23 December 1923 which fitted her out as a guard ship to serve at Flushing to replace the nowadays still at Rotterdam existing Buffel. October 1926 was she brought to Flushing where she was used as guard ship and as training ship for sailors. She was set by her own crew in fire 17 May 1940 when Germany attacked the Netherlands and the wreck was later sold.

Building costs ƒ 3.045.607,00. Displacement of 4.033 tons with as dimensions 94,70 x 14,82x 5,50 meter. The engines and 12 water tube boilers supplied 10.067 ihp allowing with the two screws a speed of 20,08 miles. Coal capacity was 850 tons. Her crew numbered when she for the first time was commissioned 325 men. The original armament consisted of 2-15cm guns, 6-12cm guns, 6-7.5cm guns, 12-3.7cm guns, 2-7.cm mortars, 2 torpedo guns and 2 torpedo tubes. In 1911 the all ready in 1906 changed armament was again changed and consisted now of 10-12cm guns, 2-7.5cm guns, 4-3.7cm guns and 1-7.5cm mortar. The armour consisted of 50mm deck and 100mm conning tower.

Lodewijk Willem Johan Karel Thomson (Voorschoten 11 June 1869-Durrës, Albany 15 June 1914) was a Dutch officer and politician who was killed during a peace mission while defending the town Durrës. He was a highly decorated officer even before his death. The international peace mission had as purpose to maintain the peace in the former Ottoman possession Albany and for which the Netherlands were asked to form a police corps and to deliver the needed officers.