HNLMS Gouden Leeuw (Dutch: Hr.Ms. Gouden Leeuw) was a Prins van Oranje-class minelayer of the Royal Netherlands Navy built by N.V. Internationale Scheepsbouw Mij. 'De Maas'. She was designed for service in the Dutch East Indies. She was scuttled during World War II by her own crew.

HNLMS Gouden Leeuw
History
Netherlands
NameGouden Leeuw
BuilderN.V. Internationale Scheepsbouw Mij. 'De Maas'
Laid down23 September 1930
Launched9 September 1931
Commissioned24 February 1932
Out of service7 March 1942
FateScuttled by crew 7 March 1942
General characteristics
Class and typePrins van Oranje-class minelayer
Displacement1291 tons
Length66.0 m (216 ft 6 in)
Beam11.0 m (36 ft 1 in)
Draft3.55 m (11 ft 8 in)
Installed power1,750 ihp (1,300 kW)
Propulsion
  • 2 × triple-expansion engines
  • 2 × screws
Speed15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement121
Armament

Construction

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Gouden Leeuw was laid down on 23 September 1930. She was launched on 9 September 1931 and commissioned on 24 February 1932.

Service history

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On 8 December 1932 Gouden Leeuw left the Netherlands for the Dutch East Indies, where she arrived on 27 January 1933 in Sabang.

In the period of September 1939 until January 1942 Gouden Leeuw laid minefields near Balikpapan, Tarakan and Surabaja.

In January and February 1942 she was part of the defending force of Surabaya. She laid mines in Madura Strait, near Tuban and near Rembang.

On 2 February (some sources say 1 February), the Japanese W-7-class minesweeper W-9 struck a mine laid by the Gouden Leeuw in Ambon Bay and sank. Two other Japanese minesweepers were also damaged by mines.

On 7 March 1942 she was scuttled by her own crew near Surabaya to prevent being captured by Japanese forces.

Sources

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  • Mark, Chris (1997). Schepen van de Koninklijke Marine in W.O.II. Alkmaar: Uitgeverij De Alk B.V. ISBN 90-6013-522-9.