An item reported that the newest Dutch cruiser (1) still incomplete on the slip was towed to England to prevent a capture by the German forces invading the Netherlands. Several other warships still incomplete at shipyards at Rotterdam and Netherlands were blown up too prevent their capture.(2) What was left of the Dutch navy was nothing worth. There was just enough time to take all engine parts within reach and the blue prints with the cruiser. It was certain she was to be completed in England and would participate in the war against Germany.
Notes
1. The Hr. Ms. Jacob van Heemskerck. Her sister ship was the light cruiser Hr. Ms. Tromp which in the second World War was nick named by the Japanese the 'Ghost ship', while she continuously reappeared despite all tidings being destroyed. Since 1951 anchored at Vlissingen, Netherlands serving for instance as accommodation ship for sailors. Decommissioned 20 November 1969, stricken 27 February 1970 and the same year sold to be broken up. On stocks at the N.V. Ned. Scheepsbouw Maatschappij at Amsterdam 31 October 1938 as building no. 274, launched 16 September 1939 and commissioned 10 May 1940 before being armed due to the outbreak of the war with Germany. She was rebuild as an air defence cruiser while the Dutch fire control systems were left behind at Amsterdam and the British didn't suit with her original armament.
2. For instance the destroyer Hr. Ms. Philips van Almonde of the Gerard Callenburgh-class, laid down by the Kon. Mij. De Schelde, Vlissingen on 2 March 1939, blown up still on stocks on 17 May 1940 and scrapped.
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