L 9531-class landing craft

Class overview
NameL 9531
BuildersRijkswerf Willemsoord, Den Helder
Operators Royal Netherlands Navy
Built1955–1956
In commission1955–1963
Completed7
Retired7
General characteristics
TypeLanding craft
Displacement55 t (54 long tons)
Length25.25 m (82 ft 10 in)
Beam4.50 m (14 ft 9 in)
Draught1 m (3 ft 3 in)
Propulsion
Speed10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Crew6
Armament
  • 2 × 12.7 mm machine guns
  • 2 × 7.62 mm machine guns

The L 9531-class landing craft, also known as Type LCPR (Landing Craft Personnel Regional),[1] was a class of seven landing craft that were built by Rijkswerf Willemsoord for the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN).[2] During their service in the RNLN they were permanently stationed in Dutch New Guinea.[3] Shortly before the transfer of Dutch New Guinea to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority, the seven landing craft were decommissioned on 13 February 1963 and transferred to the United Nations Security Force.[4]

Design and construction

The L 9531-class landing craft were built between 1955 and 1956 at Rijkswerf Willemsoord in Den Helder, Netherlands.[1][2][5] They had a standard displacement of 55 tons and a complement of six.[2] When it came to measurements, the L 9531-class landing craft had a length of 25.25 metres (82 ft 10 in), a beam of 4.50 metres (14 ft 9 in) and a draught of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in).[1] Furthermore, they were equipped with two Kromhout 8-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines that could produce 200 shaft horsepower (150 kW).[4][2][1] This could drive the two shafts to maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).[2] As armament the craft had two 12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine guns and two 7.62 mm (0.300 in) machine guns.[4]

Service history

The L 9531 class entered into service of the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1955 and were permanently stationed in Dutch New Guinea.[3][2]

Between 1955 and 1956 L 9531 was temporarily made available for hydrographic survey and research activities around Dutch New Guinea.[6]

In March 1962 it was reported that a L 9531-class landing craft was attacked near Gag Island by B-25 Mitchell aircraft of the Indonesian Air Force.[1] That same year the seven landing craft were taken out of service.[7] The following year, on 13 February 1963, they were decommissioned and transferred to the United Nations Security Force.[4]

Craft

L 9531 class construction data[3]
Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Fate
L 9531 Rijkswerf Willemsoord,
Den Helder, Netherlands
23 May 1955 11 June 1955 19 August 1955 13 February 1963 Transferred to the United Nations Security Force.
L 9532 27 June 1955 6 August 1955 12 September 1955 13 February 1963 Transferred to the United Nations Security Force.
L 9533 16 July 1955 6 August 1955 28 September 1955 13 February 1963 Transferred to the United Nations Security Force.
L 9534 22 August 1955 21 September 1955 8 November 1955 13 February 1963 Transferred to the United Nations Security Force.
L 9535 7 September 1955 21 September 1955 6 December 1955 13 February 1963 Transferred to the United Nations Security Force.
L 9536 17 October 1955 19 November 1955 15 December 1955 13 February 1963 Transferred to the United Nations Security Force.
L 9537 31 October 1955 19 November 1955 21 January 1956 13 February 1963 Transferred to the United Nations Security Force.

Notes

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e "...en de boot". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 26 March 1962.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Ministerie van Marine (1957), p. 286.
  3. ^ a b c van Amstel (1991), pp. 132-133.
  4. ^ a b c d van Amstel (1991), p. 132.
  5. ^ van Amstel (1991), p. 133.
  6. ^ van Vreeswijk, W.F. (1956). "De Nederlandse Hydrografie introduceert decca in de Zuid-West Pacific". De Zee (in Dutch). Vol. 77. Amsterdam: N.V. Drukkerij v/h. C. De Boer Jr. pp. 257–262.
  7. ^ Raven (1988), p. 189.

References

  • Ministerie van Marine, ed. (1957). "Overzicht der oorlogsschepen". Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Marine 1956 (in Dutch). The Hague: Staatsdrukkerij en uitgeverijbedrijf. pp. 270–289.
  • Raven, G.J.A., ed. (1988). De kroon op het anker: 175 jaar Koninklijke Marine (in Dutch). Amsterdam: De Bataafsche Leeuw. ISBN 90-6707-200-1.
  • van Amstel, W.H.E. (1991). De schepen van de Koninklijke Marine vanaf 1945 (in Dutch). Alkmaar: De Alk. ISBN 90-6013-997-6.