Holland class destroyer

Class overview
Operators:  Royal Netherlands Navy
 Peruvian Navy
Succeeded by: Friesland class destroyer
In commission: 1954–1986
Completed: 4
General characteristics [1]
Type: Destroyer
Displacement: 2,150 long tons (2,185 t) standard
2,600 long tons (2,642 t) full load
Length: 113.1 m (371 ft 1 in)
Beam: 11.4 m (37 ft 5 in)
Draught: 5.1 m (16 ft 9 in)
Propulsion: 2 shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 45,000 hp (33,556 kW)
Speed: 32 knots (37 mph; 59 km/h)
Range: 4,000 nmi (7,400 km) at 18 kn (33 km/h)
Complement: 247
Armament: • 4 × Bofors 120 mm guns (2×2)
• 1 × 40 mm Bofors AA gun
• 2 × quad 357 mm (14.1 in) anti-submarine mortars
• 2 × depth charge racks

The Holland class destroyers were built for the Royal Netherlands Navy in the 1950s. They were the first major ships designed and built by the Dutch after World War II. In contrast to previous Dutch Navy practice the ships were named after provinces rather than Admirals.

Design

These ships were unusual as they were the first destroyers built without large calibre anti-ship torpedoes. Their primary role was anti-submarine warfare and convoy defence. The armament comprised two twin Bofors 120 mm guns which were capable of 45 rounds per minute. The mountings were automated and stabilsed with radar control. Anti-submarine weaponry consisted of two Bofors anti-submarine mortars.

The machinery was ordered before the war for the Gerard Callenburgh-class destroyers and hidden during the German occupation. The turbines were built by Werkspoor and four boilers were used. The ships had a unit machinery layout.

The superstructure was built of aluminum alloy in order to reduce weight and electric welding was used throughout.

The Netherlands navy considered replacing the after 120 mm turret with a guided missile system in the late 1950s but this project was cancelled.

Ships

Ship Pennant
number
Builder Commissioned Fate
HNLMS Holland D 808 Rotterdam Dockyard 1954 Sold to the Peruvian Navy in 1982, as the BAP García y García, struck 1986
HNLMS Zeeland D 809 Royal Schelde 1955 Decommissioned 1979
HNLMS Noord Brabant D 810 Royal Schelde 1955 Decommissioned 1974, following damage in collision
HNLMS Gelderland D 811 Wilton Fijenoord 1955 Decommissioned 1973

References

  1. ^ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995