Gruno-class gunboats.

Gruno-class gunboats

These gunboats were originally designed for harbour defence and covering minelayers on their assignments. By WW II, these ships were completely obsolete due to their lack of anti-aircraft guns, something the whole navy suffered from. They were assigned to simple guard duties in the northern territorial waters of Holland, Friso and Brinio on the IJsselmeer and Gruno mainly in the vicinity of Terschelling. They could be quite effective with their ( for their size ) large main battery, but only when their were no enemy aircraft around.

Brinio before the war

Construction details

Name Gruno Friso Brinio

Dockyard Rijkswerf, Amsterdam Rijkswerf, Amsterdam Rijkswerf, Amsterdam

Laid down February 12 1912 November 2 1911 October 16 1911

Launched May 26 1913 August 29 1912 August 12 1912

Commissioned July 15 1915 July 12 1915 September 8 1914

Specifications

Displacement 542 t

Crew 52 originally
63 in WW II

Dimensions 52,5 x 8,5 x 2,8 m

Armament 4 x 105 mm Krupp semi-automatic
Several MG

ASW** -

* Gruno had her AA-battery augmented with 2 single 40 mm pompoms
** Gruno had depthcharges and asdic (from January 1941)

Armour details

Belt 51 mm

Deck 16 mm

Conning tower 51 mm

Propulsion details

Boilers -

Machinery 2 sets Sulzer diesels

Performance 1200 hp

Shafts 2

Bunkerage 34 tons oil

Max Speed 14 - 15 knots

Histories

Gruno Escaped to the UK May 14 1940, arrived on the Thames May 15. Part of the Thames Local Defence Flotilla from May 29. She served as guardship and escort until March 1942, when she was laid up until November 23 1942. Recommissioned, she was again part of the TLDF, and she was an escort from May 12 1943 until early May 1944. She sailed on May 11 from Southend to Harwich, shere she was laid up on May 16 as an accommodation ship. She sailed from Harwich to IJmuiden, Holland via Oostende between June 1 and 3 1945, after which she was used as an accommodation ship for the minesweepingservice. Stricken January 1950.

Friso Stationed on the IJsselmeer to prevent landings from eastern Holland to Noord-Holland by the Germans. Succesfully bombarded the port of Stavoren, sinking a ferry and destroying a German piece of artillery. Lost to German bombers May 12 1940 with the loss of 2 men killed and 1 missing. The capsized wreck was sunk by gunfire from Pieter Florisz. The remains were raised on March 15 1943 and scrapped in Enkhuizen.

Brinio Stationed on the IJsselmeer to prevent landings from eastern Holland to Noord-Holland by the Germans. Attacked by German aircaft and damaged on May 12 1940 with the loss of one man wounded. Scuttled by own crew May 14 1940 on the IJsselmeer. Raised October 12 1942 and scrapped.

Related links

Gruno-class photo special

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Construction details
Name	Gruno	Friso	Brinio
Dockyard	Rijkswerf, Amsterdam	Rijkswerf, Amsterdam	Rijkswerf, Amsterdam
Laid down	February 12 1912	November 2 1911	October 16 1911
Launched	May 26 1913	August 29 1912	August 12 1912
Commissioned	July 15 1915	July 12 1915	September 8 1914

Specifications
Displacement	542 t
Crew	52 originally 63 in WW II
Dimensions	52,5 x 8,5 x 2,8 m
Armament	4 x 105 mm Krupp semi-automatic Several MG
ASW**	-
* Gruno had her AA-battery augmented with 2 single 40 mm pompoms ** Gruno had depthcharges and asdic (from January 1941)

Propulsion details
Boilers	-
Machinery	2 sets Sulzer diesels
Performance	1200 hp
Shafts	2
Bunkerage	34 tons oil
Max Speed	14 - 15 knots

Histories
Gruno	Escaped to the UK May 14 1940, arrived on the Thames May 15. Part of the Thames Local Defence Flotilla from May 29. She served as guardship and escort until March 1942, when she was laid up until November 23 1942. Recommissioned, she was again part of the TLDF, and she was an escort from May 12 1943 until early May 1944. She sailed on May 11 from Southend to Harwich, shere she was laid up on May 16 as an accommodation ship. She sailed from Harwich to IJmuiden, Holland via Oostende between June 1 and 3 1945, after which she was used as an accommodation ship for the minesweepingservice. Stricken January 1950.
Friso	Stationed on the IJsselmeer to prevent landings from eastern Holland to Noord-Holland by the Germans. Succesfully bombarded the port of Stavoren, sinking a ferry and destroying a German piece of artillery. Lost to German bombers May 12 1940 with the loss of 2 men killed and 1 missing. The capsized wreck was sunk by gunfire from Pieter Florisz. The remains were raised on March 15 1943 and scrapped in Enkhuizen.
Brinio	Stationed on the IJsselmeer to prevent landings from eastern Holland to Noord-Holland by the Germans. Attacked by German aircaft and damaged on May 12 1940 with the loss of one man wounded. Scuttled by own crew May 14 1940 on the IJsselmeer. Raised October 12 1942 and scrapped.