12 Facts About Pels Rijcken

Gerhard Christiaan Coenraad Pels Rijcken was a career officer of the Royal Dutch Navy and a politician.

Pels Rijcken was Dutch Navy Minister from 1866 to 1868.

Pels Rijcken was born in Princenhage, Netherlands, where his father was sheriff as well as an alderman of nearby Breda.

Pels Rijcken entered the Royal Dutch Navy, becoming a midshipman in 1826, and rose through the ranks by serving on several vessels.

Pels Rijcken became a lieutenant, 2nd class in April 1831 and was promoted to lieutenant, 1st class in December 1845.

Pels Rijcken served as a training officer at the KIM in Medemblik from 1847.

From 1855 to 1857, Pels Rijcken was assigned as commandant of the Nagasaki Naval Training Center, teaching the principles of a modern naval science to samurai including Katsu Kaishu.

Pels Rijcken arrived as captain of the Gedeh which accompanied the steam warship, the ZM SS Soembing, a gift from King William III of the Netherlands to Shogun Tokugawa Iesada.

Pels Rijcken was succeeded in this post by Willem Huyssen van Kattendijke from 1857 and returned to the Netherlands.

Pels Rijcken then was appointed as an adjutant to King William III, a post which he held until his death.

Pels Rijcken was promoted to vice admiral on his retirement from active service on 1 August 1868.

Pels Rijcken was a candidate for Minister of the Navy in 1874, but was rejected for showing symptoms of senility during his interviews.