Minesweepers - Netherlands: Books - History and Ships

Tripartite minehunter Haarlem

In the 1980s, the Royal Netherlands Navy acquired 15 Alkmaar-class minehunters. These ships were deployed worldwide in conflict areas such as the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Libyan Sea.
In European waters they took part in exercises and cleared historic naval ordnance. HNLMS "Haarlem" reflects the long service record of the Royal Netherlands Navy's tripartite minehunters.

This book describes the history, design, construction, and operational service of HNLMS "Haarlem".

Product details

Mijnenjagers Alkmaar klasse - de Tripartites van de Mijnendienst

In 1974, France, Belgium and the Netherlands decided to build a new type of minehunter: the Tripartite. A form of European cooperation that is often cited as an example.
Built from polyester and equipped with the latest French sonar, the ships proved to be excellent in Dutch service.

As early as 1984, the brand new Haarlem and Harlingen were sent out for mine clearance in the Red Sea. A turnaround in the philosophy of both politics and naval leadership was required for this.
When two minehunters were sent to the Persian Gulf theatre in 1988, for the first time since the Korean War, the Dutch people sympathised with the experiences of the crews.

The ships continue to represent Dutch interests at sea, as became apparent in 2011 when Dutch minehunters were the only ships available for deployment in Libya.
On our North Sea, the ships are still clearing hundreds of explosives.

The Dutch fleet of minehunters has been greatly reduced by budget cuts, but their performance has increased by modernization of platform and systems. This book describes the necessity, design, construction, equipment and history of the ships.

Product details

Motor minesweepers - Ameland- en Duiveland klasse, de Mickey's van de Mijnendienst

This book describes the ships of the Ameland class (105 feet) and the Duiveland class (126 feet). These were the first vessels built specifically to counter influence mines and were known in Britain as MMS motor minesweepers. Because the ships were closely linked to the introduction of the magnetic mine and the development of magnetic sweeping gear, the book also covers these technical innovations.
During the Second World War, the ships were purchased by the Dutch government-in-exile and deployed in British waters. They played an active role in the liberation of the Netherlands and reopened Dutch ports for maritime traffic.

At the end of 1945, about half of the fleet was sent to the Dutch East Indies to neutralise mine threats there as well. The ships remained in service until the 1950s. During their career, they cleared hundreds of mines and travelled tens of thousands of miles for the Royal Netherlands Navy.
The crews consisted of people who served at sea during and after the war. At first they were mainly fishermen, after liberation mostly wartime volunteers, and later regular professional and reserve naval personnel.
Two ships were lost during operations; on one of them almost the entire crew died. Despite the simple living conditions on board, the crews faced mine danger almost daily. Many actions of these wooden minesweepers are therefore rightly recorded on the banner of the Mine Service.

Product details