Submarines: K XI Class

[Brian James]

Dutch K XI Class Patrol Submarine HNLMS K-XIII pictured in the Pedro Miguel Lock,Panama Canal on July 28th 1926.

[ivorthediver]

Thanks Brian, an unusual shot , thanks for all the photos , your working well

[Culverin]

And the third was K XII.

She also headed East shortly after K XIII but headed the opposite direction via Suez but more on her another time.

The Dutch had this bizarre need to name their two types of boat separately, those serving in their Eastern part of Empire were allocated the letter K for Kolonial (Colonial) with Roman numerals as here XIII. They also frequently spoilt the scheme by adding big Arabic numerals on the conning tower, 13, although it is absent here while she heads out for her destination at Sourabaya.

Those serving at home were given O titles for Onderzeeboot or Onderzeeer with two of those .. over the third e (Submarine) followed by Arabic numerals from 1. This practice ceased with O 19 and O 20 in 1938 although the indecision continued as the pair were to use K and Roman numeral names. K boats were also larger than O boats but each type were built simultaneously so everyone knew where they were to be at any future date.

Let us look at these 3 K boats in more detail in due course once you have digested the preceding paragraphs. One thing at a time, we don't need brain breakdown at our ages.

[ivorthediver]

Ok Iv'e poured myself a tot , whats next please and I'll try to keep up

[Culverin]

With Brians opening image showing K XIII in the big ditch heading West for Sourabaya this voyage at the time became the longest attempted by any submarine without any escorting ship en route to Sourabaya and the home of the Dutch East Indies Fleet where 8 other submarines were already based.

K XIII was newly commissioned under Lt L.G.S.Van der Kun and carried 4 officers, 8 petty officers, 18 other rates and 1 scientist whose task was to monitor the company during the arduous trip amongst other duties. The boat was required to be submerged for 90 minutes each day whilst at sea.

The voyage was a success but not repeated when K XII duly left via Suez as noted previously.

[Culverin]

And the third was K XII.

During her maiden trip to Sourabaya, Java, and in the Gulf of Aden it was her good fortune to be signaled by and requested to stop by the P & O liner Comorin heading West. The Dutchmen were intrigued when a boat from Comorin was duly lowered and rowed to the sub full of all manner of fresh provisions, booze and other luxuries. Astounded, the skipper of K XII had nothing to offer in return except his thanks which sufficed and the two vessels departed to continue their voyages.

Comorin. Barclay Curle, Glasgow, y no 603, launch 31 Oct 1925, completed 6 months later. 15,116 grt, 523' x 70', owner P & O for service Australia route. ON 148848.

Outbreak of WW2 requisitioned by RN as AMC and lost to fire off West Africa 6/7 April 1941.

The most southerly point on the Indian Sub Continent is Cape Comorin.

[Brian James]

K XIV Class Submarine HNLMS KXV pictured loading a 21 inch torpedo in 1943.