Ram-class minelayer

The Ram class was a ship class of two minelayers built in the Dutch East Indies for the Government Navy.[2][3] However, before the minelayers could be completed the Dutch East Indies was invaded by the Japanese.[4] As a result, the ships were completed as gunboats by the Japanese and taken into service of the Imperial Japanese Navy.[5]

Class overview
NameRam class
Builders
Operators
Planned2
General characteristics [1]
TypeMinelayer
Displacement2,400 t (2,400 long tons)
Length88 m (288 ft 9 in)
Beam12.7 m (41 ft 8 in)
Draft4.2 metres (13 ft 9 in)
Propulsion
Speed15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Crew120
Armament

History

The Ram class minelayers were originally built for the Government Navy.[6][7] While the ships were still being built the Japanese invaded the Dutch East Indies.[4] To prevent capture or destruction several measures were taken, such as towing the incomplete Ram to Tjilatjap in December 1941.[2][8] As the invasion progressed and the Dutch were forced to retreat it was decided in March 1942 to destroy both ships.[4]

Design and construction

The two minelayers of the Ram class were built at different shipyards in the Dutch East Indies.[9] Ram was built at the Droogdok Maatschappij Tandjong Priok, while Regulus was built at Droogdok Maatschappij Soerabaja.[2][10] It was estimated that the construction of the ships would take one and a half years to be completed.[11] The ships were at the time the largest ships to be built in the Dutch East Indies.[12] Besides being minelayers, the ships could also function as seaplane tender.[13]

Armament

When it came to armaments the Ram class minelayers were to be equipped with two 7.5 cm cannons, two 40 mm machine guns, 80 mines and 25 depth charges.[5]

Ships in class
Ram class construction data[1][3][2]
Ship Builder Laid down Launched Fate
Ram Droogdok Maatschappij Tandjong Priok, Tandjong Priok 1941 10 December 1941 Towed between 14 and 20 December to Tjilatjap. Destroyed by Dutch navy personnel in early March 1942. Later in May or June 1943 towed to Soerabaja by the Japanese and completed as the gunboat Nanshin. After the war found in August 1945 in Soerabaja and scrapped.
Regulus Droogdok Maatschappij Soerabaja, Soerabaja 1941 - On 2 March 1942 destroyed by Dutch navy personnel. Later repaired by the Japanese and launched on 21 May 1943 as the gunboat Nankai. Sunk on 16 July 1945 in the Java Sea after being hit by a torpedo of an American submarine.

Notes

Citations
  1. Mark (1997), pp. 105-106.
  2. von Münching (1978), p. 73.
  3. Raven (1988), p. 181.
  4. Roetering (1997), p. 15.
  5. Mark (1997), p. 105.
  6. "Uitbreiding Gouvernementsmarine: Bouw van twee mijnenleggers". Algemeen handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië (in Dutch). 4 January 1940.
  7. "Mijnenleggers: In 1942 gereed". De Indische Courant (in Dutch). 5 February 1942.
  8. Backer Dirks (1986), p. 157.
  9. "Mijnenleggers: Zullen in Indië worden gebouwd". De Indische Courant (in Dutch). 10 April 1940.
  10. Bosscher (1986), p. 383.
  11. "Mijnenleggers: Bouw van twee nieuwe schepen". Deli Courant (in Dutch). 2 January 1940.
  12. "Mijnenleggers: bouw van twee nieuwe schepen". De Sumatra Post (in Dutch). 5 January 1940.
  13. Backer Dirks (1986), p. 156.

References
  • Mark, Chris (1997). Schepen van de Koninklijke Marine in W.O. II (in Dutch). Alkmaar: De Alk. ISBN 90-6013-522-9.
  • von Münching, L.L. (1978). Schepen van de Koninklijke Marine in de Tweede Wereldoorlog (in Dutch). Alkmaar: Alk. ISBN 90-6013-903-8.
  • Bosscher, Ph.M. (1986). De Koninklijke Marine in de Tweede Wereldoorlog (in Dutch). Vol. 2: Indië tot en met 8 maart 1942. Franeker: Wever. ISBN 90-6135-372-6.
  • Raven, G.J.A., ed. (1988). De kroon op het anker: 175 jaar Koninklijke Marine (in Dutch). Amsterdam: De Bataafsche Leeuw. ISBN 90-6707-200-1.
  • Backer Dirks, F.C. (1986). De Gouvernements marine in het voormalige Nederlands-Indië in haar verschillende tijdsperioden geschetst: 1861-1949 (in Dutch). Vol. III. Houten: De Boer Maritiem. ISBN 90-228-1884-5.
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