HNLMS Matador was a monitor (Dutch: rammonitor 1e klasse) built in the late 1870s.

It was planned to have the same twin 23 cm rifled muzzle loaders, that the other monitors had.

However, the weight of one of these Krupp guns was double that of the 23 cm RML, and it was considerably longer.

By then it was too late to change the overall dimensions of the ship, and so Luipaard got only one 28 cm gun.

[5] The next monitors which were planned would therefore be built according to a new design, which would allow mounting of two 28 cm guns.

She was to hold make her trials on the Haringvliet, and then to return to Fijenoord for the last work.

[7] In August 1879 Matador was to sail from Rotterdam to Willemsoord via the Nieuwe Waterweg.

On 9 August she left Maassluis, and entered the North Sea en route to Willemsoord in very foul weather.

When she failed to arrive in time, Stier was sent to investigate, because 'she was not meant for the high sea'.

It was said that if something had happened, only some people on the bridge might have been saved, because nobody could stand on the deck without getting washed over.

[13] In late 1882 the navy mentioned Matador as being designated for the defense of the Zuiderzee.

[15] In September 1884 Matador was planned to be towed to Hellevoetsluis by tugboat Hercules.

Lange would be in command, and the voyage would take place in good weather.

[23] In early July Matador left Hellevoetsluis together with Buffel to exercise.

These first exercises were probably only small trips that took place only on the Haringvliet, because they returned quickly.

In late August 1885 there were some longer and larger scale exercises near Hellevoetsluis.

The exercises went on into the night and involved aspects like landings and coastal artillery.

One of the last activities was firing 6 shots from the main guns with the heaviest charge.

[27] In 1888 she would be commissioned again, but in the end her only activity was a test of the anchor winch and electrical light.

On 8 July Matador and Buffel were to leave Hellevoetsluis for the North Sea and Nieuwediep, if the weather permitted.

Next came large scale exercises centering on the fortress of Den Helder, lasting from 16 to 30 August.

After these exercises Matador remained in commission, and was back in Hellevoetsluis by early October.

In early November other exercises were finished, and Matador took her place in the Koopvaardijhaven.

By 1 December she would again stay in Dordrecht, and in February 1894 in Rotterdam, where she would lie at the Parkkade.

[32] In October 1894 Matador was to steam to Dordrecht, but instead she entered the dry dock in Hellevoetsluis for important repairs.

On 1 December 1908 Matador was then decommissioned, with Sachse taking command of Reinier Claeszen.

Nevertheless, many Dutch politicians thought that the remaining monitors could still serve a purpose, by re-arming them to stop light enemy ships.

[43] In September 1912 the Department of the Navy concluded that the last monitors should be broken up.

On 26 June 1914 she was sold to the ship breakers Scheepssloperij Holland in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht for 42,046.36 guilders.