MBT HrMs air defence cruiser "Jacob van Heemskerk (1940) - Construction drawing Scale 1 : 200 (10.11.004)

The HNLMS Jacob van Heemskerck (C803) was a Dutch Tromp-class anti-aircraft cruiser, designed for the Royal Netherlands Navy. She was launched in 1939 and commissioned in 1940, just before the German invasion of the Netherlands. Due to the sudden outbreak of war, the ship was not fully equipped with the planned 15 cm Bofors guns. Instead, she was converted into an anti-aircraft cruiser with 10.2 cm guns, 40 mm Bofors guns and 20 mm Oerlikon machine guns. During the Second World War, the Jacob van Heemskerck served primarily as a convoy escort, where she was renowned for her effectiveness in anti-aircraft defence.

Technical Specifications

Shipyards: N.V. Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij, Amsterdam

Dimensions: 131.95 metres in length, 12.43 metres in beam, 4.32 metres draught

Displacement: 3,450 tonnes standard, 4,025 tonnes full load

Engine power: 56,000 hp (4 steam boilers, 2 turbines)

Speed: 32.5 knots (approx. 60 km/h)

Crew: Originally 295, later 420

Armament:

Main armament: 5 × 2 × 10.2 cm Mk XVI guns

Anti-aircraft: 4 × 40 mm Bofors, 6 × 20 mm Oerlikon

Depth charge rails: 2

Radar:

Type 79B air warning radar

Type 243 radar interrogator

Type SG-1 surface surveillance radar

Type 282 for Bofors 40 mm guns

Type FC Mod.3 for surface fire control

Service history

1939–1940: The Jacob van Heemskerck was launched in 1939 and commissioned in May 1940, just before the German invasion of the Netherlands. She was immediately deployed and escaped to the United Kingdom.

1940–1945: In the UK, the ship was converted into an anti-aircraft cruiser. She escorted numerous convoys and was renowned for her effectiveness in air defence. The crew nicknamed her ‘Old Jacob’ because of her reliability.

1945–1969: After the war, the Jacob van Heemskerck was deployed for various tasks, including as a barracks ship and a training ship. She was stationed in Vlissingen and later in Schiedam.

1969: On 20 November 1969, the ship was decommissioned and struck from the register on 27 February 1970. In June 1970, she was sold for scrap and towed to Spain in July 1970.

Specifications: