Pencildrawing and text by RvM
On stocks at the navy yard at Amsterdam 13 October 1900 and launched 7 June 1902 by the Dutch prince Hendrik (after which she was named) which was married with queen Wilhelmina. Trials found place 9 September 1903 and she was commissioned 5 January 1904. Building costs were 4.300.000 Dutch guilders, in euro’s 1.951.255,-. Displacement 4.950 tons and dimensions 96,60 x 15,20 x 5,70m. Her 2 vertical triple compound engines delivered 6.282 hp allowing a speed of 16,5 miles. Armour consisted of a 150-100mm belt, 250mm gun turrets, 50mm deck and 250mm conning tower. Originally armed with 2-24cm guns, 4-15cm guns, 8-7.5cm guns, 4-3.7cm guns, 1 torpedo tube and 2 torpedoguns. In 1926 were the aft 24cm gun and the torpedo armament removed. In 1937 were 4-40mm machineguns placed and 2-7.5cm guns removed.
Photo published in the Dutch magazine De Prins dated 23 February 1918 when she was destined to leave the Nieuwediep, Den Helder towards the Dutch East Indies.(1)
Computer drawing by Alexander van Maanen in original appearance.
After the rebuilding in 1926 was she commissioned 2 May 1927 but in the summer a year later was she fitted out with a crane for two-four floating planes.
Pencil drawing by Ronald van Maanen and computer drawing by Alexander van Maanen in 1933 appearance.
After 1935 the crane was removed. In the Spanish Civil War used for escort duties. In 1938 she was decommissioned but at the outbreak of the Second World War again in service as the batteryship Vliereede serving off Texel. Decommissioned 11 November 1939 and laid up at the navy yard at Den Helder. She was sunk by own personnel May 1940, salvaged by the Germans and rebuild at Antwerp as the floating battery Ariadne.
Computer drawing by Alexander van Maanen as German floating flak battery Ariadne
In May 1945 found back at Wilhelmshafen and rebuilt at the Wilton-Fijenoord yard as an accommodationship. Commissioned 21 October 1947 at Amsterdam as Wachtschip Amsterdam and later at Willemsoord still called Hertog Hendrik (A 888). Decommissioned 27 September 1968 and sold 28 August 1972 to be broken up.
Note
1. See on this weblog also the note “The Dutch auxiliary cruiser Tabanan of the Rotterdamsche Lloyd 1908-1930“. The convoy departed in fact not earlier as 5 July 1918. for the Dutch East Indies.
