| Article number: | 10.11.032 |
The ‘Dokkum’-class coastal minesweepers formed the backbone of the Dutch mine countermeasures fleet in the 1950s. These ships entered service between 1955 and 1957, during the early Cold War, and were intended for clearing mines in coastal waters and securing sea lanes.
(English name: Alkmaar-class minesweepers, based on the British Ton-class design)
| Characteristics | Information |
|---|---|
| Type | Coastal minesweeper |
| Number built | 18 for the Netherlands (some sources cite 20, including spare parts) |
| In service | 1955–1957 |
| Design | Based on the British Ton-class, in collaboration with NATO (MDAP – Mutual Defence Assistance Programme) |
| Construction | Dutch shipyards (including De Schelde, Wilton-Fijenoord, Gusto, and ADM Amsterdam) |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Displacement | ~440 tonnes |
| Length | 46 metres |
| Width | 8.5 metres |
| Draught | 2.2 metres |
| Propulsion | 2 x 1,200 hp diesel engines (Stork-Werkspoor) |
| Speed | ~15 knots |
| Crew | approx. 33–40 people |
| Hull | Wood and non-ferrous metal (non-magnetic, to protect against magnetic mines) |
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Armament | 1 x 40 mm Bofors gun (L/60), sometimes machine guns |
| Mine-sweeping equipment | |
| • Mechanical (cutting wires for anchor mines) | |
| • Acoustic (vibrating plates, acoustic buoys) | |
| • Magnetic (electromagnetic coils) | |
| Navigation | Radar, sonar (QCU type), echo sounders |
The class was named after smaller Dutch towns. A selection of the names:
| Number | Name |
|---|---|
| M809 | Hr.Ms. Dokkum (namesake) |
| M810 | HNLMS Delfzijl |
| M811 | HNLMS Doetinchem |
| M812 | HNLMS Enkhuizen |
| M813 | HNLMS Harlingen |
| M814 | HNLMS Heiloo |
| M815 | HNLMS Kampen |
| M816 | HNLMS Meppel |
| M817 | HNLMS Naaldwijk |
| M818 | HNLMS Sneek |
| ... | and more up to approx. M827 |
| Period | Details |
|---|---|
| From the late 1970s | Start of phasing out |
| Until the early 1990s | Last ships out of service |
| Some transferred to | Foreign navies (such as Belgium and Egypt) or converted into auxiliary vessels |
The Dokkum class:
Formed the core of the Netherlands’ mine countermeasures capability during the Cold War.
Played a significant role within NATO, particularly in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Served in countless exercises and actual mine-clearing operations, including in peacetime.
A famous preserved vessel is:
Hr.Ms. Dokkum (M809)
→ Converted in 1997 to the ‘Urania’, a training ship for the Royal Netherlands Naval College (KIM).
→ Replaced in 2015 and possibly scrapped or sold.
Specifications:
|
Drawing number |
10.11.032 |
|
Author |
J.TH.M. Buter |
|
Description |
HrMs coastal minesweepers "Dokkum" class (1955/57) |
|
Quality |
frames; side view; longitudinal section; decks; details; construction details |
|
Scale |
1 : 50 |
|
Number of sheets A00 |
0 |
|
Number of A0 sheets |
0 |
|
Number of A1 sheets |
4 |
|
Number of A2 sheets |
0 |
|
Number of A3 sheets |
3 |
|
Number of A4 sheets |
0 |
|
Total number of drawing sheets |
7 |
|
Number of A4 text sheets |
0 |
|
Weight in grams |
215 |
|
Details |
Overall length 94 cm |
|
Comments |