Dutch submarine Hr.Ms. K XVIII 1931-1942

Drawing made by G.J. Frans Naerebout and published in Op de Lange Deining written by G.A.J. Bovens

Bow torpedo room Dutch magazine Onze Vloot February 1936

She was laid down at the shipyard Fijenoord, Rotterdam for account of the Dutch department of colonies on 10 June 1931 with yard number 323, launched on 26 July 1932, trials in May 1933, in December 1933 delivered to the navy and commissioned on 23 March 1934. The newspaper Het Vaderland dated 26 July 1932 reported that she was launched in the morning and baptized by Mrs. Coster-De Neve spouse of the commanding officer of the submarine service at Den Helder, Netherlands.

In the early days of the war against Japan (Second World War) was she successful although finally forced to return to Surabaya, Dutch East Indies heavily damaged by depth charges. On 2 March was she scuttled there by her own crew. The Japanese forces salvaged her and she was used as a floating platform for air attacks in Madura Strait. On 15 June was she destroyed by the British submarine HMS Taciturn.
With a displacement of 865 (surfaced)-1.045 (submerged) tons were her dimensions 73,6 x 6,5 x 8,3 metres. Her crew numbered 38 men. The engineering consisted of 2x1.600 hp diesels and 2x430 hp electro engines allowing a speed of 9 (submerged)-17 (surfaced) knots. The armament consisted of 8-21” torpedo tubes, 1-8,8cm gun and 2-4cm machine guns