N-class destroyers

These ships were purchased by the Dutch government when they were still at the dockyard to compensate for the RNN's losses. The fact that this class was built as one of the first in the war made it that they had to be finished as soon as possible, which went at the cost of the quality. They needed more maintenance than usual. They originally also had a 4 inch gun which was replaced by a 21'' torpedo mount. Hr Ms Van Galen was a gift of the people of the Dutch Indies. They organized a large fund raise, which provided the money necessary to buy this destroyer, a sign of great sympathy. Originally, it weren't the Nonpareil and Noble allocated to the Dutch Navy. The Norseman and Norman were originally intended to transfer, but after bombardment of the Norseman in 1941, during which she was damaged, the other two were assigned. In fact, the Norseman was completed in May 1942, so little was gained.

Tjerk Hiddes during wartime, date and place unknown

Construction details

Name Tjerk Hiddes (ex-HMS Nonpareil) Van Galen (ex-HMS Noble)

Dockyard W. Denny & Bros, Dumbarton W. Denny & Bros, Dumbarton

Dockyard no 1346 1345

Laid down May 22 1940 July 10 1939

Launched June 25 1941 April 17 1941

Commissioned May 6 1942 February 11 1942

Pennant nos G-16 (WW II)
J-5
JT-5
D-806 G-84 (WW II)
J-3
JT-3
D-803

Specifications

Displacement ( standard / full ) 1670 t / 2330 t

Crew 183 - 247

Dimensions 99,5 x 10,9 x 2,74 m

Armament* 6 x 4.7 inch Mk 12 LA (3 x 2)
4 x 40 mm Mk 8 pompom (1 x 4)
4-6 x 20 mm Oerlikon

Torpedoes 10 x 21 inch with Mk 9 torpedoes (2 x 5)

ASW 2 DC mortars and 1 rail
Type 123 A Asdic

Radar types Various types, which were continuously upgraded**

* They initially carried a 4-inch gun in place of the aft torpedobank. The torpedoes were fitted shortly after commissioning.
** Type 285 and type 291 appear to have been fitted

Propulsion details

Boilers 2 Admiralty 3 drum type

Machinery 2 Parsons steam geared turbines

Performance 40000 hp

Shafts 2

Range 5400 nautical miles @ 15 knots

Bunkerage (max) 611 tons oil

Max speed 36 knots

Histories

Van Galen Part of the British Eastern Fleet's 7th DD-flotilla from May 1942. Took part in invasion of Madagscar in September 1942. Part of the US 7th Fleet in Fremantle from October 1942 until January 1944 (TF 71.4). Part of the British Eastern Fleet from February 1944. She was part of the carrierfleet that raided Sabang, Soerabaja and Port Blair between April and June 1944. She bombarded shore installations on the Nicobar Islands in October 1944. Arrived in Britain in November 1944, where she became part of the 8th DD-flotilla. Escort service until February 1945. Under repair between February and June 1945. Left for NEI in late 1945 and 1947, from which she returned in 1949. She took part in the Korean War in 1952. Stricken October 1956. Sold for scrap February 8 1957 and scrapped in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Holland.

Tjerk Hiddes Part of the British Eastern Fleet's 7th DD-flotilla from August 1942. Invasion of Madagascar in September 1942. Part of the US 7th Fleet in Fremantle from October 1942 (TF 71.4). Evacuated civilians and guerrilla soldiers from Timor twice during December 1942. Escort services until January 1944. Part of the Eastern Fleet from February 1944. Escort services until October 1944, during which a lengthy repair period was also completed. Arrived in Britain October 1944, where she became part of the 8th DD-flotilla. Under repair from January 1945 to January 1946. To the NEI in late 1945, from which she returned in 1947. Decommissioned March 1 1951, and transferred to the Indonesian Navy as "Gadjah Mada". She was used as a trainingship until she was broken up in 1961.

Thanks to David Dellit, for providing information.

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Construction details
Name	Tjerk Hiddes (ex-HMS Nonpareil)	Van Galen (ex-HMS Noble)
Dockyard	W. Denny & Bros, Dumbarton	W. Denny & Bros, Dumbarton
Dockyard no	1346	1345
Laid down	May 22 1940	July 10 1939
Launched	June 25 1941	April 17 1941
Commissioned	May 6 1942	February 11 1942
Pennant nos	G-16 (WW II) J-5 JT-5 D-806	G-84 (WW II) J-3 JT-3 D-803

Specifications
Displacement ( standard / full )	1670 t / 2330 t
Crew	183 - 247
Dimensions	99,5 x 10,9 x 2,74 m
Armament*	6 x 4.7 inch Mk 12 LA (3 x 2) 4 x 40 mm Mk 8 pompom (1 x 4) 4-6 x 20 mm Oerlikon
Torpedoes	10 x 21 inch with Mk 9 torpedoes (2 x 5)
ASW	2 DC mortars and 1 rail Type 123 A Asdic
Radar types	Various types, which were continuously upgraded**
* They initially carried a 4-inch gun in place of the aft torpedobank. The torpedoes were fitted shortly after commissioning. ** Type 285 and type 291 appear to have been fitted

Propulsion details
Boilers	2 Admiralty 3 drum type
Machinery	2 Parsons steam geared turbines
Performance	40000 hp
Shafts	2
Range	5400 nautical miles @ 15 knots
Bunkerage (max)	611 tons oil
Max speed	36 knots

Histories
Van Galen	Part of the British Eastern Fleet's 7th DD-flotilla from May 1942. Took part in invasion of Madagscar in September 1942. Part of the US 7th Fleet in Fremantle from October 1942 until January 1944 (TF 71.4). Part of the British Eastern Fleet from February 1944. She was part of the carrierfleet that raided Sabang, Soerabaja and Port Blair between April and June 1944. She bombarded shore installations on the Nicobar Islands in October 1944. Arrived in Britain in November 1944, where she became part of the 8th DD-flotilla. Escort service until February 1945. Under repair between February and June 1945. Left for NEI in late 1945 and 1947, from which she returned in 1949. She took part in the Korean War in 1952. Stricken October 1956. Sold for scrap February 8 1957 and scrapped in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Holland.
Tjerk Hiddes	Part of the British Eastern Fleet's 7th DD-flotilla from August 1942. Invasion of Madagascar in September 1942. Part of the US 7th Fleet in Fremantle from October 1942 (TF 71.4). Evacuated civilians and guerrilla soldiers from Timor twice during December 1942. Escort services until January 1944. Part of the Eastern Fleet from February 1944. Escort services until October 1944, during which a lengthy repair period was also completed. Arrived in Britain October 1944, where she became part of the 8th DD-flotilla. Under repair from January 1945 to January 1946. To the NEI in late 1945, from which she returned in 1947. Decommissioned March 1 1951, and transferred to the Indonesian Navy as "Gadjah Mada". She was used as a trainingship until she was broken up in 1961.

Related links
Van Galen lifted out of the water by Admiralty Floating Drydock #22 Naval-History.net - Service History of HMS Noble (Hr.Ms. van Galen) Naval-History.net - Service History of HMS Noble (Hr.Ms. Tjerk Hiddes)