Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

Java Class Light Cruiser HNLMS Sumatra pictured at Madeira in 1940.

Lead Ship, Light Cruiser HNLMS Java pictured at West Circular Quay, Sydney in October 1930...She was sunk during the Battle of the Java Sea on February 27th 1942....During the evening phase of that battle she was struck by a Long Lance torpedo fired from Myōkō Class Heavy Cruiser Nachi. The torpedo detonated an aft magazine and blew the stern off the ship, causing flooding in the aft engine room and setting fire to the anti-aircraft deck. As the ship took on a heavy list to port, the flooding caused the electrical equipment to shut down. The crew abandoned ship and the Java sank about fifteen minutes after being struck by the torpedo. 512 of her crew lost their lives in the sinking.

Lead Ship, Light Cruiser HNLMS Java pictured fitting out at Koninklijke Maatschappij de Schelde Shipyards, (now Damen) at Vlissengen (Flushing) in 1923...On February 27th 1942, HNLMS Java was present at the Battle of the Java Sea. In the evening she was hit by a Japanese Long Lance torpedo fired from Myōkō Class Heavy Cruiser Nachi. This exploded inside the aft magazine, ripping off the stern off the ship. Massive flooding started in the aft engine room while the anti-aircraft deck was engulfed by flames. Java suddenly took a heavy list to port, and the electrical equipment shut down. Deprived of any means to save her, the captain ordered to abandoned ship. Java sank in about fifteen minutes, carrying with her 512 of her crew. Some were killed in the impact, others were trapped inside, and others escaped only to drown.

Three views of JAVA, including under air attack in Feb., '42. DFO

Launch Day...Lead Ship, Light Cruiser HNLMS Java at Koninklijke Maatschappij de Schelde, Flushing on August 6th 1921...She was sunk during the Battle of the Java Sea on February 27th 1942.

Lead Ship, Light Cruiser HNLMS Java pictured on the ways at Koninklijke Maatschappij de Schelde Shipyards at Vlissingen on March 31st 1921 and fitting out at Vlissingen Basin in 1923.

Lead Ship, Light Cruiser HNLMS Java pictured at Vlissingen in 1924..She was sunk at the Battle of the Java Sea on February 27th 1942.

Java Class Light Cruiser HNLMS Sumatra pictured departing Māmala Bay, Hawaii for Shanghai on January 27th 1927.

Here is JAVA visiting Sydney back in 1930. Note bridge! DFO

Lead Ship, Light Cruiser HNLMS Java pictured in 1935...She was sunk during the Battle of the Java Sea on February 27th 1942 with the loss of 512 of her crew.