Computer line drawing by Alexander van Maanen
Although the Netherlands still possessed colonies in the West and East Indies and a important merchant trade shipping decreased for a long period the navy budget. In 1919 the Dutch States General even seriously discussed to give up the navy! Nowadays again is a discussion going on what to do with the Dutch armed forces and what the effects will be of the still going retrenchments.
Until 1936 the Dutch navy had just two aged cruisers the Java and the Sumatra, the third one the Celebes was never built.
A beautiful light cruiser was that year commissioned. She was named after the most famous Dutch sea hero Michiel Adriaansz de Ruyter. What nobody knew at that moment was her final fate comparable with that of him. He was send by the Dutch States General with a fleet not competent enough for a war but still he obeyed his orders and went to die in a battle against the French. In 1942 rear admiral Karel Doorman did the same while attacking with his De Ruyter the Japanese fleet in the Java Sea knowing that his chances on success were almost nothing. The result is well known, he went down with his ship. The words “All ships follow me”, were in the Netherlands translated as “I attack follow me!
In the years that follow since 1936 a large navy program was set up but not realized before the outbreak of the Second World War. The projected three battle cruisers were never laid down, the flotilla leader/light cruiser Tromp was built and her sister ship Jacob van Heemskerck launched but two cruisers were just laid down. Like the De Ruyter were both ships designed by engineer G. ‘t Hooft. They were to be armed with 2x3-15cm and 2x2-15cm guns. They were intended to serve in the Dutch East Indies.
One cruiser laid down by the Rotterdamsche Droogdok maatschappij was first called Kijkduin, then Eendracht and when laid down 19 May 1939 called De Ruyter. When finally finished and launched 22 august 1950 was she again renamed namely De Zeven Provinciën. She became later the Peruvian Almirante Aguirre, broken up not earlier as in 2000!
The other cruiser was 5 September 1939 laid down at Wilton Fijenoord at Schiedam as the Zeven Provinciën! Her design was by the Germans altered slightly lengthened was she fitted out with a so-called Atlantic bow. In 1947 was she renamed De Ruyter and commissioned 18 November 1953. The drawing is of her appearance at that year.
Nowadays she still exists and in actual service as the last heavy gun cruiser of the world with a hull aged 70 years! As the Peruvian Almirante Grau she still rules the waves, an example of Dutch shipbuilding!
Although the Netherlands still possessed colonies in the West and East Indies and a important merchant trade shipping decreased for a long period the navy budget. In 1919 the Dutch States General even seriously discussed to give up the navy! Nowadays again is a discussion going on what to do with the Dutch armed forces and what the effects will be of the still going retrenchments.
Until 1936 the Dutch navy had just two aged cruisers the Java and the Sumatra, the third one the Celebes was never built.
Hr.Ms. Java
A beautiful light cruiser was that year commissioned. She was named after the most famous Dutch sea hero Michiel Adriaansz de Ruyter. What nobody knew at that moment was her final fate comparable with that of him. He was send by the Dutch States General with a fleet not competent enough for a war but still he obeyed his orders and went to die in a battle against the French. In 1942 rear admiral Karel Doorman did the same while attacking with his De Ruyter the Japanese fleet in the Java Sea knowing that his chances on success were almost nothing. The result is well known, he went down with his ship. The words “All ships follow me”, were in the Netherlands translated as “I attack follow me!
Hr. Ms, De Ruyter commissioned in 1936
Hr. Ms. Tromp
The other cruiser was 5 September 1939 laid down at Wilton Fijenoord at Schiedam as the Zeven Provinciën! Her design was by the Germans altered slightly lengthened was she fitted out with a so-called Atlantic bow. In 1947 was she renamed De Ruyter and commissioned 18 November 1953. The drawing is of her appearance at that year.
Nowadays she still exists and in actual service as the last heavy gun cruiser of the world with a hull aged 70 years! As the Peruvian Almirante Grau she still rules the waves, an example of Dutch shipbuilding!
