The Comte de Smet de Naeyer was a full rigged sailing vessel launched on the 11th of October 1904 by the Greenock and Grangemouth Dockyard Company at their Mid-Cartsdyke Yard in Greenock as a sail training vessel for cadets of the Association Maritime Belge. At 1863 tons, she was 267 feet long and just over 41 feet in breadth with a draught of almost 24 feet. On the 20th of October, when fitting out in James Watt Dock, she capsized.
From the Greenock Telegraph
As the following sequence of pictures reveals, she was righted and completed for service.
Capsized on 20th October 1904
The turbine steamers King Edward and Queen Alexandra can be seen on their winter lay-up in the background.
Initial salvage efforts
Initial salvage attempts were not successful and she sank completely
Here the puffer Mellite helps as a new attempt is made
Counter-weights attached and in place and the parbuckling begins
Partially righted and pumping operations in full swing
Upright once more and ready for repair. She was completed in December, 1904
The ship was completed at Anvers for Belgian cadet training. Tragically, she foundered on her second voyage after springing a leak on 18th April, 1906 and sinking the next day when the card below is dated. Her captain, A Fourcault, and 18 cadets were among the 34 lost.
