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Sunday 11 September 2011

Dutch torpedo boats Hr.Ms. Z3 and Z4 launched at the yard of the Nederlandsche Scheepsbouwmaatschappij at Amsterdam in 1917

Both torpedo boats were laid down on 30 December 1915 at the yard of the Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij at Amsterdam. Originally they were planned to be build at the Vulkanyard at Stettin just like the Z1 and Z2. However when the First World War broke out was the order cancelled by Germany and were the four torpedo boats completed for the Germany navy. The yard at Amsterdam was now ordered to built 4 torpedo boats.

The Hr.Ms. Z3 was commissioned on 21 August 1920 and still in service when the Second World War broke  out. Her own crew deliberately set her on the dam of the Krabbersgat off Enkhuizen and set her on fire. The wreck was later salvaged and sold to be broken up. The Dutch newspaper Het Vaderland: staat- en letterkundig nieuwsblad evening edition dated 2 July 1920 reported that her trial at the North Sea on 29 June was very successful. She returned afterwards to the yard to be completed. The engines were supplied by Werkspoor.

The Hr.Ms. Z4 was commissioned on 20 April 1920 and stricken in 1933. The Dutch newspaper Het Vaderland: staat- en letterkundig nieuwsblad morning edition dated 22 February 1920 reported that her trial found place off Nieuwediep. The full speed trial during three hours in the presence of a naval commission was a complete success. The maximum speed was 27,75 knots, 0,75 knots more as the contracted speed. The engines were delivered by Werkspoor.

With a displacement of 277 tons were their dimensions 61,30 x 6,30 x 1,85 metres. Their crew numbered 46 men. The steam turbines supplied 5,500 hp allowing a speed of 27 miles. Their armament consisted of 2-7,5cm guns, 2-12,7mm machineguns and 4-45cm torpedo tubes.

De photo below was published in the Dutch magazine De Prins dated 31 March 1917 page 152.