Nautilus-class
This minelayer was like most of the other minelayers built with a dual purpose function. Apart from the minelaying, she was also assigned to function as a fishery inspection vessel, and therefore was the high seaworthyness required for this task. The result was that she didn't have a seperate minedeck below the main deck, like the other minelayers had. Her mines were stored on the main deck, where they were exposed to the sea and weather conditions.
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| Nautilus in 1930 |
| Construction details | |
| Name | Nautilus |
| Dockyard | Rotterdamsche Droogdok Mij, Rotterdam |
| Dockyard No | 158 |
| Laid down | January 25 1929 |
| Launched | October 30 1929 |
| Commissioned | May 2 1930 |
| Pennant | M.12 (WW II) |
| Specifications | |
| Displacement | 800 t / 951 t |
| Crew | 50 - 57 |
| Dimensions | 55.0 (pp) 58.7 (oa) x 9.53 x 3.5/4.2 m |
| Armament | 2 x 75 mm No. 2 1 x 37 mm 2 x 40 mm * 2 x .50 |
| Mines | 40 ** |
| ASW | |
| * Not all sources mention these. They were probably added in the UK ** Also 60 mines. The difference probably originates in the different types used. |
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| Propulsion details | |
| Boilers | 3 |
| Machinery | 2 Triple-expansion-engines |
| Performance | 1350 hp |
| Shafts | 2 |
| Bunkerage | 138 tons oil |
| Max Speed | 14 - 15 knots |
| History |
| This minelayer was another typical example of a "dual purpose" ship, originally designed as a minelayer but also suited for patrol duties, especially of fishermen. She made a voyage to Jan Mayen - island on July 24 and 25 1930 to commemorate the Dutch sailors who hibernated there in 1634. The ship escorted Dutch merchants through Gibraltar Strait in 1938, during the Spanish civil war. After September 1939, she helped lay defensive minefields in Dutch coastal waters. On May 14 1940, she evacuated to the UK under heavy air attacks by the Luftwaffe. After arrival, she was assigned to help laying minefields on several ports on the east coast. After that, she became a patrolship in Hartlepool. Sunk on May 22 1941 after colliding with the British steamer Murrayfield at 00.23 hours near Saltfleet in position 53.36 North and 00.25 East while escorting the steamers Murrayfield and Hekla. The whole crew was rescued. |
| Related Links | ||||
| Shipmotions.nl - history of dockyard #158: Nautilus (history and several photos) | ||||
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