Dutch minesweeper Hr.Ms. Willem van Ewijck sunk according to a report of the American Naval Attaché at Berlin, Germany Nr. R562 dated 15 September 1939

Willem van Ewijck. Zeeuws Archief, Fotocollectie Vlissingen 7413. 29384

Funeral of steward Simon Cornelis van Steenkiste at Vlissingen on 15 September 1939.

Zeeuws Archief, Fotocollectie Vlissingen 7413.13991

Diary note dated Friday 8 September 1939.  An item reported that the Dutch minelayer Hr.Ms. Willem van der Zaan hit a British mine and sunk off Den Helder, Netherlands. Of her crew 25 men died and 8 were seriously wounded.

Note

1. Part of Willem van der Zaan-class. Laid down by Nederlandsche Droogdok Maatschappij, Amsterdam, Netherlands on 18 January 1938, launched on 15 December 1938, commissioned on 21 August 1939, escaped on 13 May 1940 towards England, arrived on 16 May 1940, decommissioned on 27 February 1970 and sold to be broken up on 6 October 1970. It was the Hr.Ms. Willem van Ewijck part of Jan van Amstel-class minesweepers which sunk on 8 September 1939, laid down by P. Smit, Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1936, launched on 22 February 1937, commissioned on 19 July 1937.

Source

National Archives. FDR Presidential Library&Museum Roosevelt PSFC000175. War diary Naval Attaché Berlin, volume 1 (1 September 1939-26 May 1940)