HNLMS Zuiderkruis (1923)

HNLMS Zuiderkruis
History
Netherlands
NameZuiderkruis
NamesakeZuiderkruis
BuilderNederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij, Amsterdam
Laid down20 January 1922
Launched17 November 1923
CommissionedMarch 1924
In service26 March 1943
Out of service1950
RenamedBimasakti (As flagship of the Indonesian Navy from 1950 to 1952)
FateTransferred to Indonesia in 1950, scrapped in 1952
General characteristics
TypeAuxiliary, submarine tender, seaplane tender
Displacement2,661 t (2,619 long tons) standard
Length87.20 m (286 ft 1 in)
Beam11.2 m (36 ft 9 in)
Draught4.30 m (14 ft 1 in)
Installed power1,600 hp (1,200 kW)
Propulsion2 × Werkspoor triple expansion engines powering 2 shafts
Speed12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph)
Complement97
Armament
  • 2 × single 150 mm (5.9 in) Cannons (Optional, not equipped)
  • 2 × single 76 mm (3.0 in) British HA/LA guns
  • 2 × single 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon guns
  • 4 × single .30 Colt machine guns

HNLMS Zuiderkruis was a Royal Netherlands Navy auxiliary ship. Originally constructed for the Government Navy, she was transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1938. Laid down as a cable layer with the option for quick conversion to auxiliary cruiser, she came equipped with mounts that would allow the installation of two 5.9-inch (150 mm) cannons and facilities to accommodate two floatplanes.

Upon her transfer to the Navy, she was converted to a supply ship serving as submarine- and seaplane tender and be recommissioned in March 1939.