M-class minesweeper (Netherlands)

300px HNLMS M 1
Class overview
Builders:	Van der Kuyk & Ree Fa. Koopman J & A van der Schuyt
Operators:	Royal Netherlands Navy Kriegsmarine
Completed:	4
Lost:	1
General characteristics
Type:	Minesweeper
Displacement:	M1: 328 t (323 long tons) M2: 205 t (202 long tons) M3 & M4: 230 t (226 long tons)
Length:	30 m (98 ft 5 in) (approx.)
Propulsion:	M1 & M2: 500 hp (373 kW) engine M3 & M4: 450 hp (336 kW) engine
Speed:	M1: 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h; 10.9 mph) M2, M3 & M4: 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement:	16
Armament:	2 x 12.7 mm machine guns

The M class were the first minesweepers of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The need for minesweepers for the Dutch marine came during the First World War when sea mines were laid in great numbers.

The Navy converted four tugboats into minesweepers. These ships had been built by three different shipyards; Van der Kuyk & Ree in Rotterdam, Fa. Koopman in Dordrecht, and J & A van der Schuyt in Papendrecht.

All M class minesweepers were still in service during the Second World War, but none of them was able to escape to the United Kingdom; three of the four ships fell in German hands (M 3 was scuttled). After the war M 1 and M 4 were returned to the Netherlands, and re-entered service as tugboats.

Ships in class

• HNLMS M 1 (1918 - 1949)
• HNLMS M 2 (1918 - 1940)
• HNLMS M 3 (1918 - 1940)
• HNLMS M 4 (1918 - 1992)

References

• Netherlandsnavy.nl :: M class minesweepers (English)
• Mark, C. Schepen van de Koninklijke Marine in W.O. II Alkmaar: De Alk bv, 1997: 106-116