Douwe Aukes-class minelayers.

Douwe Aukes-class

The Douwe Aukes and Van Meerlant continued the line set out by the Hydra-class, of small minelayers intended for use in European coastal waters.

Douwe Aukes off Vlissingen, 1937

Construction details

Name Douwe Aukes Van Meerlant

Dockyard Gusto, Schiedam Gusto, Schiedam

Laid down October 28, 1919 October 14, 1919

Launched February 23, 1922 November 23, 1920

Commissioned November 2, 1922 July 25, 1922

Pendant T 309 (WW II)
ML-1 (June, 1946)
N-81 (October 15, 1950)
A-898 (October 15, 1952) M 36 (WW II)

Specifications

Displacement 687 Washington tons standard

Crew 60

Dimensions 54,82 (oa) x 8,7 (max.) x 3,18 m.

Armament 3 x 75 mm L/55 semi-automatic No.4
2 x 12.7 mm No.1

Mines Douwe Aukes 107 type 1907
108 type 1918
87 type 1921

Van Meerlant 87 mines type 1921

ASW -

Radar -

Propulsion details

Boilers 2 Yarrow cylindrical boilers

Machinery 2 Triple-expansion-engines

Shafts 2

Bunkerage 115 metric tons coal

Performance 1194 ihp

Max speed 13 knots (on trials)
10 knots (service speed)

Histories

Douwe Aukes Escaped to the UK, May 14 1940 and stationed in Sheerness shortly after. Transferred to the Royal Navy on April 29, 1941. Returned 1945 and laid up 1945-1948. Commissioned as minesweeper depot ship 1948. Accommodation ship for the mine service in Hellevoetsluis from 1959. Decommissioned February 1, 1962 and sold for scrap July 6, 1962.

Van Meerlant Escaped to the UK, May 16 1940. Part of the Thames Local Defence Flotilla from August 3, 1940. Decommissioned March 14, 1941 and transferred to the Royal Navy. Mined on the Thames, June 4, 1941 in position 51.28 N - 00.52 E. Three officers and 39 ratings lost.

Sources and related links

Sources
F. Bertijn "Voor een veilige zee" (1982)
F. Bertijn "60 jaar mijnendienst" (1966)
W.H.E. van Amstel "De schepen van de Koninklijke Marine vanaf 1945" (1991)
A.J. Vermeulen "De schepen van de Koninklijke Marine en die der gouvernementsmarine 1814-1962 (1962)
Chr. Mark "Schepen van de Koninklijke Marine in W.O. II" (1997)
M.A. Cageling/P. de Jong "Onze strijdmacht ter zee" (1938)
Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Marine 1929-1930
Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Marine 1930-1931

Related links (please report any broken links)
Collection of LCDR Piggott, Commanding Officer HMS Van Meerlant (external website link)

May 31, 2006 Revised page

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Construction details
Name	Douwe Aukes	Van Meerlant
Dockyard	Gusto, Schiedam	Gusto, Schiedam
Laid down	October 28, 1919	October 14, 1919
Launched	February 23, 1922	November 23, 1920
Commissioned	November 2, 1922	July 25, 1922
Pendant	T 309 (WW II) ML-1 (June, 1946) N-81 (October 15, 1950) A-898 (October 15, 1952)	M 36 (WW II)

Specifications
Displacement	687 Washington tons standard
Crew	60
Dimensions	54,82 (oa) x 8,7 (max.) x 3,18 m.
Armament	3 x 75 mm L/55 semi-automatic No.4 2 x 12.7 mm No.1
Mines	Douwe Aukes	107 type 1907 108 type 1918 87 type 1921
	Van Meerlant	87 mines type 1921
ASW	-
Radar	-

Propulsion details
Boilers	2 Yarrow cylindrical boilers
Machinery	2 Triple-expansion-engines
Shafts	2
Bunkerage	115 metric tons coal
Performance	1194 ihp
Max speed	13 knots (on trials) 10 knots (service speed)

Histories
Douwe Aukes	Escaped to the UK, May 14 1940 and stationed in Sheerness shortly after. Transferred to the Royal Navy on April 29, 1941. Returned 1945 and laid up 1945-1948. Commissioned as minesweeper depot ship 1948. Accommodation ship for the mine service in Hellevoetsluis from 1959. Decommissioned February 1, 1962 and sold for scrap July 6, 1962.
Van Meerlant	Escaped to the UK, May 16 1940. Part of the Thames Local Defence Flotilla from August 3, 1940. Decommissioned March 14, 1941 and transferred to the Royal Navy. Mined on the Thames, June 4, 1941 in position 51.28 N - 00.52 E. Three officers and 39 ratings lost.