KONINKLIJK INSTITUUT
voor de
MARINE


ROYAL NETHERLANDS
NAVAL ACADEMY

K I M


[Ben Oostdam's
Autobiography
Years 1950-1952]

TRAINING CRUISE on the AIRCRAFT CARRIER "KAREL DOORMAN"

Karel Doorman to Mediterranean
The contours of the "Karel Doorman" are disappearing again from the Rotterdam harbor scene for 6 weeks. At 11:45 a.m., the droning whistle of the ship announced that the screws were engaging and the cruise to the Mediterranean starting. Soon the ship disappeared from view, followed by moist female eyes and escorted by an airplane which had already circled around several times as a farewell salute.
Algemeen Handelsblad, November 8, 1950

Well, just a few weeks after the final "greening ceremony" and the beginning of formal classes (more than 40 hours per week!), we received our orders for the first "bootjesreis" or training cruise:
TRAVEL ORDER
The Commanding Officer of H.M.S."Wachtschip" Amsterdam
orders
the Naval Cadet B.Oostdam, Navy # 33630
to render himself to Rotterdam on November 8, 1950
On arrival, he will without delay present himself to
the Watch Officer of H.M.S. "Karel Doorman".
..........The Commanding Officer
..........H.M.S. "Wachtschip" Amsterdam
...............J.F.A.F. van Best

to continue to next page, cruise on the Aircraft Carrier "Karel Doorman" - 1950.
BLO fecit 24 VI 1998