HNLMS Djambi was the lead ship of the , built for the Royal Netherlands Navy from the late 1850s. She was in the 1864 Shimonoseki affair and in the 1873 First Aceh Expedition. She became unfit for service after serving for only 13 years.
Construction and commissioning On 1 December 1858, the Dutch government determined that the next screw steamship class to be built at the Rijkswerf in Amsterdam would be named Djambi in order to remember the recent war in the area of Jambi. Djambi was laid down on 29 December 1858. On 31 October 1860, the screw steamship class Djambi was launched in Amsterdam. On 3 December 1860, there was a call for bids to supply ironwork for Djambi. On 26 April 1861 the machines of the screw steamship first class Djambi were tested in Amsterdam. They had been made by the NSBM in Rotterdam. The ship would leave for Nieuwediep on the 30th to get its rigging and other equipment. On 1 June 1861, Djambi was put into service at Nieuwediep under the command of Captain-lt Marin Henri Jansen, known as author of De omwenteling in het zeewezen and other naval works.
Campaign in the West Indies When the American Civil War started, the Dutch wanted to stay neutral and protect their shipping. Therefore, a squadron consisting of the screw frigate Zeeland and screw steamships Djambi and Vesuvius was formed. It was to go to the West Indies and join the screw steamship Cornelis Dirks and the schooner Atalante, which were already in Curaçao. Not everything went according to plan. At first Djambi'''s departure was postponed to 1 July. In the end it was 17 July 1861 when Djambi sailed for the West Indies by herself. On 3 September Djambi arrived in Suriname. On 7 October 1861 the Zeeland, Cornelis Dirks, Vesuvius, Djambi and Atalante were all anchored before Curaçao. Except for the Zeeland, the squadron then went on a cruise to show the Venezuelans that they were present. On 5 January 1862 the squadron was in Curaçao. A few days later Djambi left to visit Sint Eustatius. Saint Martin, Saba, Martinique and Saint Croix. After the affair with Venezuela was terminated, the ships could return to Europe. On 22 June the squadron lay ready to sail in the harbor of Curaçao. On 1 August Djambi left the West Indies. On 7 September 1862 she arrived back in Nieuwediep.
Dry dock disaster in WillemsoordDjambis next voyage would be to the East Indies. In September 1862 she was planned to be the first ship to use the new Willemsoord Dry Dock II in Willemsoord. While workmen were preparing for her entrance, the bottom of the dock suddenly ripped open, causing enormous damage. The next plan was to have the sailing frigate Alexander leave the old Willemsoord Dry Dock I on 6 October so Djambi could enter. This happened on 10 October.
Voyage to Australia
The visit to Australia is planned While Djambi was still in the West Indies, the plan for a friendly visit to Australia became known over there. In January 1862 the Dutch consulate in Sydney got letters that Djambi would visit to Australia. Port Jackson, Sydney would be the first port of call.
Captain-lt van Rees takes command On 20 October 1862 Captain-lt P.A. van Rees would take command of Djambi. On 28 October the transport ship Heldin returned to Nieuwediep. It had to be inspected, and rumors were that its cargo (including 30 30-pounders of the new model) would be transferred to Djambi and Apeldoorn.
Saves the schooner Orlando After some delay Djambi left from Texel on 18 December 1862. Shortly after, there was a fierce gale. Many feared for the ship, and the fact that it sailed led to a row. On 22 December Van Rees sent a message that all was well from the entrance of the Channel. With much trouble Djambi had saved the dismasted English Schooner Orlando by towing it from Hinder Bank to Dover Roads. In the evening of 23 December Djambi anchored at Spithead. In a storm on 19 and 20 December she had lost sails, an anchor and chain, as well as sustaining damage to boats, stove and machines. In March 1863 the British Government would send a telescope as a gift to Van Rees.
From Portsmouth to Australia During the last days of 1862 Djambi was ordered to dock in Portsmouth. The damage to the ship was repaired quickly, and on 14 January 1863 she continued her journey to Montevideo. On 13 February Djambi arrived in Rio de Janeiro after a very good journey. She left Rio on the 20th.
Albany, Western Australia On 6 April Djambi arrived in King George Sound, harbor of Albany, in Western Australia. Djambi saluted the British flag with a 21 shot salute, but was not answered, because Albany did not have any cannon. It now became known that Djambi was on a mission to show the flag in Australia. She would visit Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The stop in King George Sound was primarily meant to put everything in order. On 8 April Djambi fired a salute to honor the birthday of Princess Sophie of the Netherlands. She also fired 130 rounds from her 30-pounder guns for target practice, and bunkered 130 tons of coal from P & O Company. Captain van Rees held a dinner party, and the officers offered a lunch to some of the inhabitants, with music and some dancing afterwards. On 16 April Djambi left Albany.
Adelaide, South Australia
Meanwhile, Adelaide, capital of South Australia was also preparing. Djambi drew too much water to pass the banks and arrive in the harbor proper. She would therefore have to anchor as near as possible to the semaphore jetty. A Dutch flag was ordered, and Adelaide began to look for a battery that could return the salute of Djambi. The Port Adelaide volunteer artillery was the logical candidate to give this salute. A few months before Captain Simpson and several of the NCO's and privates had resigned. Other members then started a recruitment campaign. By the time of the visit of Djambi, the company was commanded by Captain Quinn, and had 30 members, half of them recruits. On 16 April two six-pounder field guns and ammunition were brought from the town to the beach, and placed in a gun shed. This would on the Sandhills near the Flagstaff. The goal was to salute Djambi as soon as she would reach the semaphore. Therefore, a sharp lookout was established on the stations on the 20th.
In the morning of Saturday 25 April the lookout observed smoke to South West by West. She was soon identified as Djambi, and was under steam only. She sailed straight to the lightship, and after taking on a pilot, she continued and anchored about 2.5 miles from the Semaphore jetty in five fathoms of water. As soon as the anchor had been lowered, a British flag was hoisted in the main mast, and a salute of 21 shots was fired. It was answered by the government flagstaff on shore hoisting a Dutch flag. Soon followed by the Port Adelaide volunteer artillery returning the salute with her field pieces, even though these were hardly heard on board Djambi because of the western wind. A black gig with a pennant and red ensign appeared. She had been borrowed from Yatala, and was rowed by four neatly arranged men. On board were the Dutch Consul Mr. F.S. Dutton M.P., and Captain Douglas, naval officer of South Australia. They were received by Commander van Rees, and given a brief tour of the ship. On leaving they received a salute of nine shots. Later that day the Mayor of Adelaide and the Mayor of Port Adelaide visited. That day a third visit was made by Captain Quinn and the volunteer artillery. Djambi now first needed to bunker, and so the ship was not open to the public till Wednesday 29 April. However, a short description was given to the public:
On Tuesday 28 Djambi was busy bunkering the whole day. In the evening some officers visited the Adelaider Liedertafel, where there was singing in German, which was especially liked by the surgeon T.F. Kluge. On Wednesday the ship was cleaned for the public. On Wednesday evening Commander van Rees and Mr Brieder M.D. dined at Captain Hart's. On Thursday 30 April many ladies and gentlemen visited Djambi, which was open from stem to stern. In the evening all officers were on shore.
Saturday 2 May 1863 was a big day for Djambi. The Governor of South Australia, Dominick Daly came to visit her. He was accompanied by his daughters (he had two: Joanna and Caroline, both married in 1866), other family and some dignitaries, and came by way of the Semaphore Jetty. The steam vessel Young Australian arrived from the wharf with the rest of the party, which consisted of the consuls of various nations, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Attorney General etc. etc. as well as the band of the First Adelaide Rifles for some music during the 1.5 hours trip. On board an awning with sides had been spanned over the rear half of the ship, enclosing the space, which had been decorated with flags and flowers. Another awning was over the fore part of the ship. After an inspection of the ship there were waltzes and quadrilles until refreshments were announced. Some heavy rain then put an end to dancing, and instead some sailors sang their favorite songs. A very ample lunch followed, with gunfire and mutual toasts to the health of the visitors and hosts. At 6 o'clock the visitors left while the yards of Djambi were manned.
On Sunday Djambi was again visited by many people, primarily consisting of mechanics and people from the working classes. On Monday 4 May half the crew of Djambi would visit the copper mines and smelting works at Kapunda by train, accompanied by their officers. On Tuesday the other half of the crew would follow. Tickets were paid by the South Australian government. At three o'clock in the afternoon of Monday 4 May Commander van Rees was present while the foundation stone for Adelaide Town Hall was laid. Next all dignitaries celebrated this event with a collation with many toasts in the council chamber. In the evening the Chief Secretary George Waterhouse, Premier of South Australia gave a big dinner at Parliament House. Invitees were the governor, all members of both houses, the lord bishop, the heads of the departments etc. etc. and the commander and officers of Djambi. Of course there were the usual toasts to the Queen of Great Britain and the King of the Netherlands.
On Tuesday 5 May there was a subscription ball organized by a committee the inhabitants of Adelaide. It was a splendid affair with almost 300 guests, including governor J.G. Daly and family. Captain van Rees and 14 officers arrived in uniform. Several members of the government and many MP's were present, as well as the mayor and several dignitaries. The venue was the Adelaide Assembly Rooms, which were lavishly decorated. Chapman's band provided the music, and there was also a supper. It was a grand affair for Adelaide. On 7 May Djambi left Adelaide for Melbourne.
Melbourne and Sydney On 10 May 1863 Djambi arrived in Melbourne. On 12 May the captain and officers were at a large diner party given by the Dutch Consul mr. Ploos van Amstel. The next day the captain, officers and consul visited the governor. On the 20th Governor Barkly and his wife, the consul and some others were invited for lunch on board by Commander van Rees. On the 21st there was a ball with over 500 guests in St. George's Hall. Djambi next continued to Sydney, where the officers dined on 30 May. On 6 June the governor and other dignitaries visited Djambi. On 8 June there was a ball. On 20 June Djambi left Sidney for Batavia.
First East Indies Campaign To Japan