De Ruyter), was an Atjeh-class unprotected cruiser built in Amsterdam for the Royal Netherlands Navy in the 1879–1880.

The Atjeh class brought many innovations, like an iron hull, much larger size, rigging, breechloaders below deck etc.

In November 1877 the minister for the navy announced that he would postpone the construction of De Ruyter till Atjeh had been proven to be successful.

[5] On 21 September Elisabeth, Marie and the Consul of Sweden visited the Rijkswerf Amsterdam, and the training ship Wassenaar.

The plan was to use steam continuously in order to reach the Dutch East Indies in the shortest possible time, the navy hoped for 35 days.

[14] De Ruyter was equipped with 316 men, 13 weeks of provisions, 22,000 liters of water, and 366 tons of coal.

With four boilers in use, the machine made 60 strokes, and with an east-southeast wind of 6 Beaufort, the sails were also put to use, resulting in a speed of 10-11 knots.

On 8 September De Ruyter passed Cape St. Vincent and signaled the semaphore that she would visit Malta, because she had not enough coal to reach Port Said.

[19] On Malta De Ruyter bunkered, and repaired multiple types of tubes and two auxiliary machines.

While the last reserve high-pressure stoomschuifstang was put in place, De Ruyter drifted in a windless area.

[22] After arrival in Batavia on 27 October 1885, De Ruyter was inspected by the Naval commander of the Dutch East Indies on 3 November.

Next De Ruyter, and the Valk with the governor of Padang on board, visited Goenong Limboe, Telok Dalem, the bay of Lagoendie, the Nako isles and Lapouw.

[28] On 14 November 1887 Van Speyk, De Ruyter and Ceram left Batavia for Buleleng on Bali, where they were joined by Madura and Pontianak.

[28] On 29 October 1888 De Ruyter left Tanjung Priok with the guard ship Gedeh in tow.

On 4 July the ship left for Vitiaz Strait, reaching Dorèh on the 9th, where 90 tons of additional coal were loaded.

On 17 August, De Ruyter left Ternate for lengthy visits to Ambon Island and Banda.

[32] On 24 April 1890 De Ruyter, commanded by Captain J.P. Mercier, set course from Padang to South Africa after receiving a telegram.

On the stretch to South Africa, De Ruyter really had to make effective use of her sails to reach Simon's Town on 11 June.

[35] On 20 March De Ruyter left Texel, commanded by Captain W. Baron van Hogendorp.

De Ruyter tried to make the most use of her sails, but finally had to use her engines in order not to hit the Portuguese coast.

Brand arrived at Curaçao on board the steamer Prins Willem II of the Koninklijke West-Indischen Maildienst.

[40] On 1 September 1892 De Ruyter set sail to La Guaira, the main port of Venezuela, which was reached the next day.

The French cruiser Magon, the German ship Arcona and the Spanish sloop Jorge Juan were already present.

Construction of a new axle for the anchor winch then delayed departure till the 25th, long enough to see the arrival of the gunvessel Suriname.

[51] On 6 October De Ruyter left Nieuwediep and steamed to the Texel Roadstead to correct the compasses.

In daylight she continued her trip, but fog and drizzle prompted the captain to keep the pilot on board till Dungeness.

On 26 October she reached Porto Grande Bay on São Vicente, Cape Verde, with 100 tons of coal left.

On 4 December De Ruyter got a telegram to remain in Buenos Aires till the arrival of Van Speyk.

On 29 December she passed the prime meridian, at 42.20 S. The crew continuously measured water and air temperature in order to determine the chance for icebergs.

From 17 February till 12 March, De Ruyter was anchored before Ulèë Lheuë, port of Banda Aceh.