Dutch News, 2Q1898

[Borys]

 News From the Netherlands; April 1898

Bergen op Zoom:
March 31; In the early morning hours the town was awakened when the battleship de Zeven Provincien

exploded. The explosion was in the forward part of the ship, the fire burned for about 3 hours before naval

personnel was able to extinguish the fire, with help of civilian fireboats.
A spokesman for the Navy stated the cause of the explosion was the result of smaller fire near the forward

magazine.
"This could have been much worse' the spokesman said,' The ship had just returned from gunnery exersices

and the magazines was almost empty. At this time it is unknown how the small fire started."
The number of causalities has not been releases but is estimated to be close to 100, including Capt. Jan van

der Roose, the comanding officer.
It is reported that the ship will not be repaired because of its age. It will be towed into a drydock and scrapped.
The Admirality stated that a new ship will replace in the near future.

In other news the Admirality announced that it will be scrapping 10 type A class Torpeodboats in the next 3 months.

Amsterdam:
April 4: The Admirality has reported on April 2nd the Sloop HMS Zoutman, while on rotinue patrol intercepted
a small cargo ship approximatly 250 mils SW of the mouth of the Congo River. The ship appeared to be

drifting when the Zoutman approached. After several attempts to hail the ship a Royal Navy boarding party

boarded the cargo vessel. The ship had been abandoned by its crew, the life boats and life preservers were all

gone. The party noticed a strong smell coming from the hold, when the lock was forced the source of the odor

was discovered, apporx. 200 negros were found dead. The bodies were all shackled together and packed so

tight some the bodies were still standing. Investigation found no marks on the bodies, other than that caused by

the shackles. It is believed that the ship was involved the outlawed slave trade
The bodies were given a burial at sea after any identification was removed. The ship was taken under tow for

2 days to air out the hold so prize crew could man it.
No sign of the crew was found nor was the ship's log. All the crews personnal belongings had been removed

along with thing of value. The only identifying marks on the ship was what was left of it name plate on the stern
_ A_C_ _ H.

If any is missing a ship of approx. 1500 tons contact the Royal Navy in the port of Moranda.

Antwerp:
April 16; The Foriegn Office recognizes the DKB's claim to the lands in Australia. The Foriegn Offices also

announced today that the government of The Netherlands and the DKB have reached an agreement to an

axchanges of coaling rights in Ost Afrika and an NEI port whose name has not been announced.
Foriegn Affairs Secertary, Rene Oostermaan, Marquis der Ursel, stated
" I hope this is a beginnig of long friendship with our neighbors in that part of the Empire"

It also rumored that a RN survey ship is exploring the southern coast of Australia. When asked a spokesman

for the Navy reportedly said 'It's just a routine cruise for that type of vessel' Refuseing to answer further

questions.