Dutch minesweeper Hr.Ms. Pieter Florisz 1936-2008

Pennant F. Part of Jan van Amster-class could be fitted out as minelayer. Laid down by P. Smit, Rotterdam, Netherlands on 22 November 1936, launched on 11 May 1937, commissioned on 13 September 1937, scuttled by own crew in the IJsselmeer before the Krabbersgat on 14 May 1940, salvaged by the Germans, repaired and commissioned as M 551, converted into a torpedo test ship in December 1940, added to the 27th U-boat flotilla, returned to the Dutch navy in 1945, patrol vessel in the Dutch East Indies between end 1947-1950, lent to the Zeekadettenkorps at IJmuiden, Netherlands since 1962, returned to the navy in 1986, sold to scrapyard Stolk, Hendrik Ido Ambacht in September 1976 and broken up in 2006 or 2008. 

German Reiherstieg-class escort vessel or torpedo recovery vessel built between 1941-1942

Rieherstieg-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Dutch version. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the Deutsche Werft at Hamburg, Germany built between January 1941-June 1942 8 vessels of the Reihersteig-class. First believed to be light escort vessels until objects were sighted amidships which seemed to be two torpedo tube mounting. The vessels were now temporarily believed to be torpedo boats until more specific details were available. While their armament was unusually light the opinion changed again into escort or torpedo recovery vessels also explaning the long clear space fitted out with rectangular mountings situated between the funnel and the after superstructure occupying 50 feet of the center. Dimensions 200 x 22 feet. Armament consisted of 1 gun forward of the bridge of probably 8.8 cm, 1 light anti anti aircraft gun on a raised platform on the stern possible 1x2-3.7cm and posisble a light anti aircraft gun on a raised platform abaft the funnel. There seems to be a lagre winch house at the stern of 12 x 8 feet. No more vessels of this kind were under construction at Hamburg. There were however 16 vessels built in the Netherlands very similar to the Reiherstieg type although being modified and improved. Since the Reiherstieg type was commissioned were the vessels continuous docked. Baart called the Dutch built vessels torpedo recovery vessels.

Sources

The O.N.I. Weekly for the Officers of the United States Navy vol. III No. 29 dated 17 July 1944.

Jac.J. Baart. Rotterdam Oorlogshaven. 

German escort vessels built in the Netherlands since 1943

Rieherstieg-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Dutch version. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that in the past 1.5 year Dutch shipyards built 16 escort vessels which were very similar to the Reihersteig-class built at Hamburg, Germany between 1941-1942 and even seemed to be improved and modified version. Originalled called corvettes. Dimensions 200 x 21 feet. Rounded stern. Armament consisted of 1 gun forward of the bridge of probably 8.8 cm, 1 light anti anti aircraft gun on a raised platform on the stern possible 1x2-3.7cm and possible a light anti aircraft gun on a raised platform abaft the funnel. There seems to be a lagre winch house at the stern of 12 x 8 feet. In the meantime 11 were completed and left the shipyard and 5 were now fitted out. Of the 16 were 6 built at Amsterdam, the remaining 10 at Rotterdam. Baart called them torpedo recovery vessels built by NV C. van der Giessen (TF 21-22), Krimpen a/d IJssel, NV Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij (TF 13-14-19-20), Rotterdam and NV Dok-en Werf Mij Wilton-Fijenoord (TF 15-18), Schiedam, and at Amsterdam by NSM and NDM totally six.

Sources

The O.N.I. Weekly for the Officers of the United States Navy vol. III No. 29 dated 17 July 1944.

Jac.J. Baart. Rotterdam Oorlogshaven. 

Dutch torpedo recovery vessel Mercuur 1936-1960 (still existing)

Amsterdam, Netherlands 31 August 2024

Laid down on 12 July 1935 and launched on 26 February 1936 at the Navy Yard at Willemsoord, Netherlands, commissioned on 4 July 1936 in the Royal Netherlands Navy, captured during the German invasion in 1940 and taken into service as the Merkur, in May 1945 found back at Rotterdam and after repairs 1936 at the Navy Yard at Willemsoord, Netherlands, again commissioned in the Royal Netherlands Navy on 1 April 1948. In 1955-1958 temporarily fitted out with a proto type torpedo tube for the use of Mk20 torpedoes. After 1960 sold and renamed Maartje. In 2005 she retained her former name. Anno October 2013 was the intention to use her as a seagoing yacht with as homeport Scheveningen. Anno July 20024 intention to convert her into a night club Berlin style.

Dutch torpedo recovery vessel Mercuur 1936-1960 (still existing)

Amsterdam, Netherlands 31 August 2024

Laid down on 12 July 1935 and launched on 26 February 1936 at the Navy Yard at Willemsoord, Netherlands, commissioned on 4 July 1936 in the Royal Netherlands Navy, captured during the German invasion in 1940 and taken into service as the Merkur, in May 1945 found back at Rotterdam and after repairs 1936 at the Navy Yard at Willemsoord, Netherlands, again commissioned in the Royal Netherlands Navy on 1 April 1948. In 1955-1958 temporarily fitted out with a proto type torpedo tube for the use of Mk20 torpedoes. After 1960 sold and renamed Maartje. In 2005 she retained her former name. Anno October 2013 was the intention to use her as a seagoing yacht with as homeport Scheveningen. Anno July 20024 intention to convert her into a night club Berlin style.

Dutch torpedo recovery vessel Mercuur 1936-1960 (still existing)

Rotterdam, Netherlands October 2013

Amsterdam, Netherlands March 2024

Laid down on 12 July 1935 and launched on 26 February 1936 at the Navy Yard at Willemsoord, Netherlands, commissioned on 4 July 1936 in the Royal Netherlands Navy, captured during the German invasion in 1940 and taken into service as the Merkur, in May 1945 found back at Rotterdam and after repairs 1936 at the Navy Yard at Willemsoord, Netherlands, again commissioned in the Royal Netherlands Navy on 1 April 1948. In 1955-1958 temporarily fitted out with a proto type torpedo tube for the use of Mk20 torpedoes. After 1960 sold and renamed Maartje. In 2005 she retained her former name. Anno October 2013 was the intention to use her as a seagoing yacht with as homeport Scheveningen. Anno July 2024 intention to convert her into a night club Berlin style.

German torpedo recovery vessel TF 5 Y 855 1966-2009 (museum ship since)

Leer, Germany 17 September 2023

Of the 430-class preceded by 438-439 classes. Decommissioned on 15 JUly 2008 and sold in 2009. Launched by Schweers, Bardenfleth on 28 Feburary 1966. One 1,000hp 12-cylinder MWM diesel. Single screw. Maximum speed 19 knots. Fuel oil bunker capacity 6,000 litres. Displacement 58.33 tons and as dimensions 24 x 5.4 x 1.70 metres.