Zuiderkruis-class supplyship

This ship was originally a cablelayer in the NEI, but she was commandeered by the RNN for conversion into a submarinemothership and supplyship as early as May 1937. The ship escaped Tjiltjap on February 28 1942, after which she was attached to the British Eastern Fleet in Ceylon as a depotship between September 1 1943 and April 1 1945. During this period, she assisted the crew of the torpedoed tanker British Loyalty on March 9 1944 while anchored at Addu Atoll. She returned to the NEI in 1945, after which she was returned to the Gouvernementsmarine.

Zuiderkruis with Dutch K-boats alongside.

Construction details

Name Zuiderkruis

Dockyard Nederlandse Scheepsbouw Mij, Amsterdam

Laid down

Launched November 17 1923

Commissioned 1924

Specifications

Displacement 2.661 gross tons

Crew 97

Dimensions 78,03 x 11,2 x 4,14 m

Armament 2 x 75 mm Krupp L/40 *
2 x 20 mm Oerlikon
4 x .30 Colt MG

* These were replaced by 2 British HA/LA 76 mm guns in 1942. It was impossible to find ammunition for the Krupp guns.

Propulsion details

Boilers

Machinery

Performance 1600 hp

Max speed 12,5 knots

Bunkerage

* Built by Werkspoor, Amsterdam

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Construction details
Name	Zuiderkruis
Dockyard	Nederlandse Scheepsbouw Mij, Amsterdam
Laid down
Launched	November 17 1923
Commissioned	1924

Specifications
Displacement	2.661 gross tons
Crew	97
Dimensions	78,03 x 11,2 x 4,14 m
Armament	2 x 75 mm Krupp L/40 * 2 x 20 mm Oerlikon 4 x .30 Colt MG
* These were replaced by 2 British HA/LA 76 mm guns in 1942. It was impossible to find ammunition for the Krupp guns.

Propulsion details
Boilers
Machinery
Performance	1600 hp
Max speed	12,5 knots
Bunkerage
* Built by Werkspoor, Amsterdam