Gelderland-class coastal defence ship

Holland-class

Last surviving ship of a class of 6 socalled "Pantserdekschepen", derived from the British Apollo-class. Gelderland served as artillery training ship until 1939 when she was decommissioned on August 24 1939 and laid up. Noord Brabant commenced service as accommodation ship in 1926.

Gelderland in her role as gunnery training ship

Construction details

Name Gelderland Noord Brabant

Dockyard Maatschappij voor Scheeps- en Werktuigbouw Fijenoord, Rotterdam Koninklijke Maatschappij "De Schelde", Vlissingen

Laid down November 1, 1897 August 31, 1897

Launched September 28 1898 January 17, 1899

Commissioned July 15 1900 (Netherlands Navy)*
March 1 1944 (Kriegsmarine) March 1, 1900

Status Decommissioned August 1939, disarmed and laid up in Den Helder, where she was captured by the German occupation forces in May 1940.
Converted to floating AA-battery (a so called "Flakschiff") between 1941 and 1944 (first at C. van der Giessen & Zonen in Krimpen a/d IJssel, later in Elbing) and renamed Niobe, she was commissioned as such on March 1, 1944. She had a very short career, as she was bombed and sunk by Russian aircraft on July 16, 1944 in the Finnish Gulf near Kotka. She proved to be a sturdy ship, shooting down nine aircraft and taking nine hits before sinking. Raised by the Finns in 1947, but abandoned by the Dutch government. Broken up locally. Decommissioned 1920 and disarmed. Refitted as accommodation ship and towed to Vlissingen in October 1926. Also used as training ship for sailor recruits. Set on fire by the crew May 17, 1940. The wreck was later sold for scrap.

* There are several dates listed for this event. July 15 and 16, and February 12, 1900. I would appreciate it if anyone could give some clarity about this.

Specifications

As completed * Gelderland as Niobe

Displacement 4030 tons standard

Crew 325 397

Dimensions 94,70 x 14,82 x 5,40 m

Armament 2 x 150 mm No.3
6 x 120 mm No.2
6 x 75 mm No.2
8 x 37 mm
4 revolver guns of 37 mm
2 x 75 mm A
2 mortars of 75 mm A 8 x 105 mm (8x1)
4 x 40 m Bofors (4x1)
16 x 20 mm (4x4)

Fire control 1 Würzberg radar
2 optical range finders

* Gelderland's armament underwent a number of modifications during her career. In 1939, her main armament consisted of eight 120 mm No.2 guns, 3 x 75 mm No.2 and 1 x 75 mm No.1 semi-automatic. In 1940, the ship was completely disarmed. Noord Brababant only had a single 75 mm gun for training purposes on her aft deck from 1926.

Armour details

Main deck 50 mm

Gunshields 13 mm

Conning tower 100 mm

Propulsion details

Boilers 12 Yarrow

Machinery 2 x 3-cycle triple expansion engines

Performance 9867 ihp (on trials)

Shafts 2

Bunkerage 930 tons coal

Range 4500 miles @ 10 knots

Speed 18 - 20 knots

Unlike the other Flakschiffe, the Niobe retained propulsion system and could sail under her own power. Her old machinery provided a speed of about 15 knots.

Last updated December 10, 2004

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Construction details
Name	Gelderland	Noord Brabant
Dockyard	Maatschappij voor Scheeps- en Werktuigbouw Fijenoord, Rotterdam	Koninklijke Maatschappij "De Schelde", Vlissingen
Laid down	November 1, 1897	August 31, 1897
Launched	September 28 1898	January 17, 1899
Commissioned	July 15 1900 (Netherlands Navy)* March 1 1944 (Kriegsmarine)	March 1, 1900
Status	Decommissioned August 1939, disarmed and laid up in Den Helder, where she was captured by the German occupation forces in May 1940. Converted to floating AA-battery (a so called "Flakschiff") between 1941 and 1944 (first at C. van der Giessen & Zonen in Krimpen a/d IJssel, later in Elbing) and renamed Niobe, she was commissioned as such on March 1, 1944. She had a very short career, as she was bombed and sunk by Russian aircraft on July 16, 1944 in the Finnish Gulf near Kotka. She proved to be a sturdy ship, shooting down nine aircraft and taking nine hits before sinking. Raised by the Finns in 1947, but abandoned by the Dutch government. Broken up locally.	Decommissioned 1920 and disarmed. Refitted as accommodation ship and towed to Vlissingen in October 1926. Also used as training ship for sailor recruits. Set on fire by the crew May 17, 1940. The wreck was later sold for scrap.
* There are several dates listed for this event. July 15 and 16, and February 12, 1900. I would appreciate it if anyone could give some clarity about this.

Specifications
	As completed *	Gelderland as Niobe
Displacement	4030 tons standard
Crew	325	397
Dimensions	94,70 x 14,82 x 5,40 m
Armament	2 x 150 mm No.3 6 x 120 mm No.2 6 x 75 mm No.2 8 x 37 mm 4 revolver guns of 37 mm 2 x 75 mm A 2 mortars of 75 mm A	8 x 105 mm (8x1) 4 x 40 m Bofors (4x1) 16 x 20 mm (4x4)
Fire control		1 Würzberg radar 2 optical range finders
* Gelderland's armament underwent a number of modifications during her career. In 1939, her main armament consisted of eight 120 mm No.2 guns, 3 x 75 mm No.2 and 1 x 75 mm No.1 semi-automatic. In 1940, the ship was completely disarmed. Noord Brababant only had a single 75 mm gun for training purposes on her aft deck from 1926.

Armour details
Main deck	50 mm
Gunshields	13 mm
Conning tower	100 mm

Propulsion details
Boilers	12 Yarrow
Machinery	2 x 3-cycle triple expansion engines
Performance	9867 ihp (on trials)
Shafts	2
Bunkerage	930 tons coal
Range	4500 miles @ 10 knots
Speed	18 - 20 knots
Unlike the other Flakschiffe, the Niobe retained propulsion system and could sail under her own power. Her old machinery provided a speed of about 15 knots.