In 1937 were experiments executed if the motor steamship Prins Willem of the Provinciale Stoomboot Dienst was suitable for use by the Royal Netherlands Navy as a minelayer. On 20 May were 30 tons of steel sheets equal divided over the aft deck. As a result was the upper side of the strake of the aft ship in the heart of the ship 28cm above the last line and was her draught fore 1,61 metres; with 40 tons respectively 19,5cm and 1,56 metres. Without the added steel sheets was the strake 66cm above the last line.
On 10 August send the navy the anchor of a moored contact mine with a weight of 1,400 kilo. This anchor was placed on a provisional made track with a slope of 1,2cm each metre. The anchor was with 300 kilo of rivets further weighted until a total weight of 1.700 kilo. With the help of four man was the anchor relatively easy moved on the track. The direction in which the anchor was moved was of none interest.
Ten days later was the same track used with a complete mine weighing 800 kilo in the presence of a 1st class lieutenant of the navy. Two men were able to move the mine without problems. Afterwards was the slope increased to 2,5cm each metre en still was two men enough although with four men easier. During the second test was the mine in 3 seconds 5 metres moved.
The card system dealing with the individual ships build by the De Schelde mentioned as test data 15 April, 20 May and 10 August 1937 and that she between 7 August and 2 September two years was converted into an auxiliary minelayer. On 16 May 1940 was she sunk in the harbour of Flushing. Building no. 199. Ordered on 14 October 1932, contract signed on 24 November, laid down on 23 January a year later and launched on 8 July of the same year, docked between 1 and 6 December, technical trial on 6 December and after the official trial on the 9th handed over. With as dimensions 47 (between perpendiculars)-49 (over all strake) x 3,25 (waterline)-8,50 (maximum deck) x 1,775 (empty)-2,25 (full loaded) metres and a hold of 3,25 metres and further more a displacement of 314 (empty)-440,5 (full loaded) tons of 1.016 kg. Speed 12,5 knots.
Source
Archief Kon.Mij. De Schelde inv.no. 622 and card system orders (municipality archive Flushing archive no. 214).
On 10 August send the navy the anchor of a moored contact mine with a weight of 1,400 kilo. This anchor was placed on a provisional made track with a slope of 1,2cm each metre. The anchor was with 300 kilo of rivets further weighted until a total weight of 1.700 kilo. With the help of four man was the anchor relatively easy moved on the track. The direction in which the anchor was moved was of none interest.
Ten days later was the same track used with a complete mine weighing 800 kilo in the presence of a 1st class lieutenant of the navy. Two men were able to move the mine without problems. Afterwards was the slope increased to 2,5cm each metre en still was two men enough although with four men easier. During the second test was the mine in 3 seconds 5 metres moved.
The card system dealing with the individual ships build by the De Schelde mentioned as test data 15 April, 20 May and 10 August 1937 and that she between 7 August and 2 September two years was converted into an auxiliary minelayer. On 16 May 1940 was she sunk in the harbour of Flushing. Building no. 199. Ordered on 14 October 1932, contract signed on 24 November, laid down on 23 January a year later and launched on 8 July of the same year, docked between 1 and 6 December, technical trial on 6 December and after the official trial on the 9th handed over. With as dimensions 47 (between perpendiculars)-49 (over all strake) x 3,25 (waterline)-8,50 (maximum deck) x 1,775 (empty)-2,25 (full loaded) metres and a hold of 3,25 metres and further more a displacement of 314 (empty)-440,5 (full loaded) tons of 1.016 kg. Speed 12,5 knots.
Source
Archief Kon.Mij. De Schelde inv.no. 622 and card system orders (municipality archive Flushing archive no. 214).
