HNLMS Groningen was the lead ship of the Groningen class. She was one of the first Dutch purpose designed propeller driven warships, but was demolished after only 5 years of service.
Construction
Built by a private shipyard
Groningen was constructed by the private shipyard Fop Smit in Slikkerveer / Kinderdijk. For the Netherlands this was exceptional, because since the French period (1794-1815), almost all warships had been built at state shipyards. These state shipyards cost a lot of money. Many politicians thought that closing the state shipyards was a good way to economize. Their opponents claimed that warship construction was fundamentally different from merchant ship construction.
By 1850 there were only two state shipyards left. When the Dutch navy wanted to adapt screw propulsion in about 1852, these state shipyards could not handle the work. In 1855 Navy minister de Smit van den Broecke then dared to order some ships at private shipyards. By July 1855 he had ordered 'two ships of a completely new type' at Fijenoord shipyard. Fijenoord would build the engines herself, but was allowed to subcontract another shipyard.
It is not certain what De Smit van den Broecke meant with 'two ships of a completely new type'. He could have referred to two Bali-class sloops, or to one Bali-class sloop and Groningen.
Construction by Fop Smit
The main reason to contract with Fijenoord had been that the minister acknowledged that the machinery was the crucial aspect of a screw ship. On the other hand, Fijenoord herself only built iron ships. Therefore, Fijenoord subcontracted with Fop Smit, a famous shipyard that was also proficient in building wooden ships.
Groningen was laid down in 1855. She was launched on 9 April 1857 by the shipyard 'F. Smit at Slikkerveer'. This is a strange mention, because Fop Smit had his shipyard at Kinderdijk. Indeed, there was a Jan Smit Shipyard at Slikkerveer. It therefore seems that Jan Smit Shipyard was the actual builder of Groningen. This seems strange, but Jan Smit Slikkerveer actually launched multiple ships for Fop Smit, e.g. on 15 April 1858. Groningen was commissioned on 1 July 1857
On 28 December 1857 made a trial run, attained a speed of 8.25 knots. This is slow, but as she left for the East Indies on the 30th, this run was made while loaded. As such it is hard to compare with results of other trial runs, which were generally made with an empty ship.
Service
To the Mediterranean with the Prince of Orange
On 27 July 1857 Groningen made a trial run on the Western Scheldt. On 30 July she was in Vlissingen and was ready for her first trip. The commanding officers were: Captain-Lt J.D. Wolterbeek, ADC Lieutenant F. de Casembroot, and D. Bowier, J.P.M. Willinck, J.D.J. van der Hegge Spies, L. Rautter, P.J. Losgert, H.J.E. van de Watering, J.H. Jullien, and scribe D.W. Muller. In the Mediterranean, Groningen would be accompanied by Wassenaar, which sailed from Texel.
On 30 July 1857 William, Prince of Orange (1840–1879) left The Hague by train, and with the royal steam yacht he arrived alongside Groningen at about 5 PM. William had with him his governor Lt-Colonel E.A.O. de Casembroot, Lieutenant K.W. de Kock, and W.C. Aylva van Pallandt. Therefore, the captain would occupy a temporary cabin that had been built on the deck. On 31 July the prince visited Vlissingen and its guard ship, and lunched with Vlissingen's naval commander VA H. Ferguson.
In the early hours of 1 August Groningen left Vlissingen for the Mediterranean. In the night of 1–2 August Groningen was on the latitude of Deal. Groningen then sailed a course between the Isle of Wight and the English coast.
On 5 August Cape Ortegal was sighted. On 6 August Groningen anchored in A Coruña. The local authorities were received on board. In the evening the prince visited the opera. On 8 August the prince and officers of Groningen visited a parade and dined in the city. In the evening the opera performed La sonnambula. Groningen continued her voyage on 9 August.
In the morning of 9 August Groningen crossed the bay and at about noon, she anchored before Ferrol. After the local authorities had visited Groningen, the Prince went ashore in the afternoon. On 10 August the prince visited the Reales Astilleros de Esteiro (Ferrol state shipyard), the docks, and was at a grand dinner at the admiral's. Groningen left on the 11th.
On 12 August Groningen arrived in Vigo Bay. Here the usual formalities took place. In the evening there was a military concert and fireworks. At 9 AM on 13 August Groningen left.