Computer line drawing by Alexander van Maanen
For the building of the steel built Van Meerlant and her sister ship Douwe Akes was a modified design of the predecessors Hydra and Medusa used. The Van Meerlant was laid down at the Gusto yard at Schiedam on 14 October 1919, launched on 23 or 24 November 1920(1), commissioned on 25 July 1922, escaped during the German invasion of the Netherlands on 16 May from Flushing to the United Kingdom and was on 14 March 1941 handed over to the British Royal Navy and lost when she struck a mine in the mouth of the Thames on 4 June 1941.
With a displacement of 687 tons were her dimensions 54,8 (over all) x 8,7 (maximum on trusses) x 3,2 metres and a depth of hold below the upper deck of 6,30 metres. The two triple expansion engines and 2 Yarrow boilers supplied 1,170hp and while driving two screws allowing a speed of 13 knots. The armament consisted of 3x1-7,5cm guns, 2x1-12,7mm machineguns and she carried with her 60 mines. The crew numbered 60 men.
The photo above was published in the Dutch magazine De Prins dated 4 December 1920 p. 273 and shows her launching.
The Dutch newspaper Schiedamsche Courant dated Wednesday 6 August 1919 reported that the Dutch queen approved to name one of the new minelayers to be built at the Gusto yard after the late captain lieutenant R.H. van Meerlant (2) commanding officer of the Dutch minelayer Hr. Ms. Balder during the mobilisation for his outstanding performance. The same newspaper edition dated 8 November 1922 supplied more details about her and her sister ship saying that these were the largest minelayers in Dutch service and real acquisitions fitted out with anti aircraft guns and able to carry a large amount of mines. The cabins of the officers were amidships and very comfortable furnished with completely steel furniture. The accommodation for the non-commissioned officers and sailors was situated in the fore ship and for the stokers in the aft ship. The whole ship was electrically lightened and in all spaces and rooms was sufficient air and light available. The wash-rooms were all with running water. She was fitted out with wireless telegraph. The engines were built by the yard and placed in a very large engine room.
Notes
1. The Dutch newspaper Voorwaarts: sociaal-democratic dagblad daily edition dated Saturday 20 November 1920 reported that she was to be launched coming Tuesday at 14.00 o’clock. So she was probably launched on 24 November. Another newspaper Het Vaderland evening edition dated Wednesday 24 November 1920 confirmed the launching on Tuesday afternoon.
2. Roelof Hendrik van Meerlant (Utrecht 11 March 1871, Utrecht on 14 July 1919) was during the mobilisation (First World War when the Netherlands was neutral) the soul of the Dutch mine service and an example of calmness and personnel courage for all men serving submitted to this service as the Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad dated 7 August 1919 wrote.
