HNLMS Tromp (1938+)
Dutch multi-role craft, fulfilling the roles of light cruiser. anti-aircraft ship and destroyer leader. The four ships of the class were ordered as escorts for the new battlecruisers and the new aircraft carrier. While in the design stage new roles were found for the ships which added to their usefulness.
Armed with the same twin 4.7" as the other Dutch ships this kept the range of shells in the inventory to a minimum. The light AA was in the form of the twin 40mm and single 20mm guns. A streak of light armour over the vitals of the ship showed that the vessels were of better quality than some of the other light vessels of a similar nature (French Mogador, Italian Capitano Romano). The propulsion to give the ships a maximum speed of 34 knots was adequate for their tasks.
Only two ships had been completed to the original design when Holland was overun by the Germans. The final two ships were fitting out at the Den Helder yards and were able to make their way to British ports.
The De Ruyter was exactly the same as the other two but the twin 4.7" of Dutch manufacture which had not been available and these were replaced with the British pattern twin 4.5".
The Kortenaer was not as advanced as the De Ruyter and since the twin 4.5" drought was occurring the British yard completed the ship with the twin 4" AA weapon system. In this ship the two sets of torpedo tubes was removed and an extra superstructure was constructed aft on which was mounted the aft DP Director and an extra set of the twin 40mm.
| Displacement | 4,100 tons std 6,600 tons full load | ||
| Length | 433 ft | ||
| Breadth | 42 ft | ||
| Draught | 16 ft | ||
| Machinery | 2 shaft steam turbines, 70,000shp | ||
| Speed | 34 knots | ||
| Range | 5000 miles at 15 knots (2,000 nm at 28 knots) | ||
| Armour | 2.5" side, 1.5" deck, 1.5" turrets | ||
| Armament | T & J 8 x 4.7" (4x2) 4 x 40mm (2x2) 8 x 20mm (8x1) |
DR 8 x 4.5" (4x2) 4 x 40mm (2x2) 8 x 20mm (8x1) |
K 10 x 4" (5x2) 6 x 40mm (3x2) 8 x 20mm (8x1) |
| Aircraft | nil | ||
| Torpedoes | 6 x 21" (2x3) (nil in Kortenaer) | ||
| Complement | 450 | ||
| Notes | HNLMS Tromp HNLMS Jacob Van Heemskerk HNLMS De Ruyter HNLMS Kortenaer |
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HNLMS Kortenaer operating with ships of the Australis fleet 1942.