Specials

Special Torpedoes and Mines of the Dutch Submarine Service

In the year 2005 the Dutch Torpedo Arm will celebrate is 130th birthday. Among other things a reunion will be organized.

For additional photos and information please check the 'related pages list' at the bottom of this page.

 

This mine was used on board the O 19 class submarine mine layers. It is possibly a Vickers. of which there where 199 on stock in the N.E.I. in Feb. 1942). It is reported that on 13 Apr 1945 O 19 laid a line of Vickers T III T mines. Please contact us if you have any information on this type of mine.

Vickers T Mk III
Type	Contact mine
Diameter	92 cm
Height	119 cm
Material	Steel
Shape	Two hemispheres connected in the middle with a 21 cm cylindrical socket.
Warhead	220Kg TNT or Amatol
Horns	Six horns in total Four, divide equally, at the top hemisphere Two at the bottom hemisphere
Notes	Launched from vertical mine shafts and not from torpedo tube.

Go to page Loading mines on board O 19 for detailed information on this type of mine.

 

A mine being transferred to the submarine O 19. The mines are just about to be lowered in their external shafts. Year, place and type of mine unknown (Photo: © Collection IMH / Siem Spruijt ). Additional info and images at the Loading mines on board O 19 page.

Two mines occupied the space of one torpedo. Although it seems a M Mark IID mine did exist we have no info at all on Dutch submarines using these mines. A contract (by the RN) for 2,000 Mark II mines was placed in 1940 but production was halted in November 1942.  In 1949, 1,310 were in RN storage.

 

 

First torpedo of the Dutch submarine service. Improved many times, air pressure increased from 150 to 200 atm, a combustion chamber and a sweet water injection system was installed. The torpedo was also improved by installing a faster gyro, air was used to keep the speed of the gyro constant.

Possibly the X^A and the XII^A refer to the same torpedo. This torpedo was first used on torpedo boats (MTB).

This torpedo was first used on torpedo boats (MTB). The O 1 was armed with 3 of these 18" torpedo's. Possibly the X^A and the XII^A refer to the same torpedo. In the 1920's and maybe earlier/later the XII type a, b, and c was mainly used as exercise torpedo for surface vessels and as a spare wartime torpedo for submarines.

This torpedo was used on the O 1 class.

This torpedo was first used on torpedo boats (MTB). In the late 1930s when the Dutch submarine service was equipped more modern and better torpedoes, these torpedoes were used for exercises only. The Dutch even constructed adapters which made it possible to fire these 18" torpedoes from a 21" torpedo tube.

This torpedo was used on the O 2 class, K I class, O 6 class, O 7 class and the O 8 class.

This torpedo was first used on torpedo boats (MTB). In the late 1930s when the Dutch submarine service was equipped more modern and better torpedoes, these torpedoes were used for exercises only. The Dutch even constructed adapters which made it possible to fire these 18" torpedoes from a 21" torpedo tube.

This torpedo was used on the K I class, O 7 class, O 8 class and the K II class.

K I loading a torpedo (type unknown). Soerabaja 1919-1922  (Photo: © Collection G.D. Horneman)

This torpedo entered the submarine service after World War I and was used until the beginning of World War II.

This torpedo was used on the K III class, K V class, K VIII class, K XI class and on board O 9 and O 10. The Dutch Navy bought a total of 129 (incl. surface fleet) III ⁴⁵ torpedoes

This torpedo was used for boats the K XI class. The Dutch Navy bought a total of 64 (incl. surface fleet) IV⁴⁵ torpedoes. Also used on board the K XIV class during WWII.

This torpedo was used for boats that served in the Dutch East Indies. The Dutch Navy bought a total of 20 (incl. surface fleet) V⁴⁵ torpedoes

This torpedo (the first 21"torpedo for the Dutch) entered the submarine service after World War I and was used until the beginning of World War II. The first of these 21" torpedoes arrived in the Netherlands in 1923. 

This torpedo was used on the K XI class and the O 9 class. The Dutch Navy bought a total of 27 (incl. surface fleet) I ⁵³ torpedoes

This torpedo was used on the K XI class, O 12 class and the K XIV class. The Dutch Navy bought a total of 200 (incl. surface fleet) II ⁵³ torpedoes. First unit ordered around 1924 and last unit delivered in 1932.

 

The III 53 torpedo

Service	1929 - 1946 (incl. surface fleet)
Origin	British, Fiume
Diameter	21"
Weight	1534
Warhead	300 Kg TNT
Range	4000 m at 41 kts 10000 m at 28 kts

This torpedo was used on the O 12 class. The Dutch Navy bought a total of 60 (incl. surface fleet) III ⁵³ torpedoes.

 

The O 16 (O 16 class) was the first Dutch submarine equipped with these torpedoes. 22 of these weapons were ordered for the O 16.

This torpedo was used on the O 16 class and the O 21 class. 

This torpedo entered the Dutch submarine service shortly before World War II and was used until the beginning of the war.

This torpedo was used on the O 19 and the O 21 class. The Dutch Navy bought a total of 252 (incl. surface fleet) V ⁵³ torpedoes.

In the beginning of World War II the Dutch used their own 21" torpedoes. After the Dutch ran out of these, the British Mk II and Mk IV were used.

This torpedo was used on the O 12 class and the K XIV class.

In the beginning of World War II the Dutch used their own 21" torpedoes. After the Dutch ran out of these, the British Mk II and Mk IV were used. These torpedoes (Mark IV^**) were first tested by the O 21 in Dec 1940. This torpedo was used on the O 21 class.

A 'statement of torpedo issue' from the O 19 lists a torpedo Mk IV*SD (SD stands for Submarine Dutch) and an O 19 note book list a torpedo type IV* (with could be set at 40 or 35 knots). But the listed speed/range of 40/20,000 on the 'statement of torpedo issue' seems far too high for a Mk IV torpedo. The document also list that the warhead consists of TORPEX, but the regular Mk IV had a TNT warhead.  Check out the mystery pictures page for more information.

According to John Roberts the MkIV*SD torpedoes were supplied to O 19, O 21, O 23 and O 24. These were to be fitted with MkVIII warheads in 1943 and the production of the latter was changed from TNT to Torpex in the same year.

A 'statement of torpedo issue' regarding the O 19, 19 Aug 1944. (Photo: © Collection J.J. Kragten).

 

During World War II the Dutch first used their own and the British Mk II and Mk IV torpedoes. But as soon as the British produced enough Mk VIII** these torpedoes also became available for to the Dutch submarine service. After some small modifications these torpedoes could be fired by the Dutch submarines also. The torpedo was called the Mk VIII SD, SD stands for Submarine Dutch. During the war some British submarines were transferred to the Dutch navy (S, U and Zwaardvis (1) class), this definitely made the Mk VIII** part of the Dutch submarine service.
After World War II the last few torpedoes from Dutch origin were discarded and the Mk VIII** became the standard torpedo for the Dutch submarine service. The Mk VIII** was in service until 1978, the last version used was the Mk 8 mod 4. The MK VIII was also called 8/53.

This torpedo was used on the O 19 class, S class, U class, O 21 class, Zwaardvis (1) class and the Dolfijn & Potvis class

The Dutch Navy bought a total of  84 (incl. surface fleet) Mk 8 torpedoes.

O 21 and the torpedo work ship Mercuur (2), 1950. Note the torpedo (probably a MK VIII) being loaded.

This improved version of the Mk VIII** was in service until 1978.

 

It is not clear whether these torpedoes where ever used on board Dutch submarines. The Dutch Navy bought a total of 68 (incl. surface fleet) Mk 9 torpedoes.

This torpedo was used on the O 21 class and  . . . .

British designation of the Mk X for the Dutch submarines was Mk X***. Some sources report that the Mk X*** is actually the G 7AD torpedo.

Please contact us if you have any information on this type of torpedo.

This little used low-speed was abandoned in 1943. It is reported that the K XV loaded this type of torpedo at the New London (US) base in 1943.

This torpedo was used on the K XIV class.

In 1940 84 of these German torpedoes were captured by the British. None of the British submarines were equipped with torpedo tubes long enough to carry this torpedo, therefore these torpedoes were transferred to the Dutch submarine service. The Dutch torpedo tubes had a length of 7,4 m, so the German torpedoes would fit easily. The Dutch called this torpedo G 7AD, the 'D' stands for 'Dutch'. Quite often a launched G AD ended up running on the surface. The speed was limited to 40 kts because of breaking surface at higher speeds. Later replaced by the Mk VIII**.

This torpedo was used on the O 21 class. 

Some additional info about the capture of these torpedoes was provided by Dennis Feary in Jan 2005: "...Dutch SSPapendrecht, 10954 tons, built Rotterdam Dry Dock Company, Dutch Company Van Ommeren?. Taken over by theGermans in1940 (while under construction?) and renamed Lotharingen. Boarded / captured by the Royal Navy and some 200 torpedoes found aboard. These did not fit the RN Ships because the torpedoes were too long. So were then passed to the Dutch Navy. As in the first instance the Germans had copied Dutch torpedoes, the Dutch submarine service made small modifications to them to use in their submarines – designated G 7 A D ( D for Dutch ). 

The standard German torpedo of World War II. It suffered from early problems with its internal depth-keeping equipment, and its firing pistol, but these were solved after Germany's Norwegian Campaign.
A batch of these torpedoes was captured in the Netherlands by the Dutch at the end of World War II. Five or Six of these torpedoes were kept for trials.

In 1953 two U.S. Navy Guppy type submarines (Walrus (1) class) were loaned to the Royal Netherlands Navy. These submarines were armed with the Mk 23 and the Mk 18 torpedo. In 1953 10 Mk 18's and 58 Mk 23's arrived in the Netherlands, the torpedoes were also on loan.

This torpedo was used on the Walrus (1) class. The Dutch Navy 'bought' a total of 10 Mk18 torpedoes.

In 1953 two U.S. Navy Guppy type submarines (Walrus (1) class) were loaned to the Royal Netherlands Navy. These submarines were armed with the Mk 23 and the Mk 18 torpedo. In 1953 10 Mk 18's and 58 Mk 23's arrived in the Netherlands.

This torpedo was used on the Walrus (1) class. The Dutch Navy bought a total of 56 Mk23 torpedoes.

This torpedo was used on the Zwaardvis (1) class. The Dutch Navy bought a total of 32 (incl. surface fleet) Mk 20 torpedoes

 

Wire guided version developed from the mod1 version of the Mk 37 torpedo (1955). The internal wire reel is carried in an extender section between the after body and the tail cone.  The major improvements of the Mk 37^mod2 were increased acoustic acquisition range at deep depth, reduced susceptibility to surface seeking at shallow depths, improved shallow water performance (homing improvement), and better reliability and maintainability.

The torpedo can be command-enabled, receiving course changes in 2 deg/signal increments. It sends status signals (fin velocity switch activation, enable acquisition, and loss of target) back down the guidance wire. Preset operating depths are 200, 150, 100, and 40 ft.  The anti-capture (anti surface-homing, tested in 1966) circuits are disabled when the torpedo runs below 200 ft in deep water or when it is homing passively. The torpedo can be set to run at constant depth (40, 100, 150,or 200 ft) while homing (before terminal manoeuvres), when above 100 ft depth in deep water, or when in shallow water. A helical snake search pattern is used when water depth is greater than 150 ft (2700 ft dia, 1000 ft maximum depth). Active acquisition range is 900+ yd at 900 ft depth. The Mk 37^mod2 uses a ceramic transducer in place of the previous magnetostrictive one, which lost sensitivity at greater depth.

The Dutch Navy bought a total of 115 Mk 37 torpedoes.

In 1975 the Dutch Submarine service started upgrading the Mk 37 ^mod2 into the NT 37 C ^mod2.

Mk 37 torpedo loaded on board a Dolfijn class submarine

 

These are modified Mk 37 ^mod2 torpedoes. The Dutch navy bought this 'kit' (100000$ a piece) and in 1975 the modifications were started. This modification included the replacement of the silver-zinc batteries and electric motor by an 90 HP engine running on Otto-Fuel II (from the Mk 46-1). Speed increased by 40% and range by 125% (endurance by 80%). High speed made it an effective straight-running anti ship torpedo.
Other improvements are true dual purpose capability, it could be set in 3 modes: 1) straight running at high speed with depth control. 2) Delayed homing, the torpedo running straight but searching if it misses, or beginning its search at a preset time/range. 3) full passive homing as in the original Mk 37.

 

In 1984 the Dutch Submarine service started modifying the NT 37 C ^mod2 into the NT 37 C/D/E.

On 7 June 1990 the last NT 37 C ^mod2 torpedo (exercise version) was fired.

These are modified Mk 37 C ^mod2 torpedoes. The NT 37 C was upgraded first to the D type which incorporated a new homing head / acoustic system. The D type was tested by the Dutch in the Mediterranean in 1987. The NT 37 D was in its turn upgraded (late 1980s) to the E type, which incorporated a new guidance system (the 'E' stands for 'Electronic').
The NT 37 D is type C plus a new solid-state (vice vacuum tube) acoustic panel.
The NT 37 E is type D plus a new digital programmable (rather than analogue) guidance system (whose autopilot can be programmed to take the torpedo to specific geographical coordinates, e.g., for a harbour attack). The system incorporates additional anti ship run patterns. It also incorporates a self-noise-reduction nose assembly (with baffling to protect the transducer from engine and hull noise, and with a new nose shape to reduce flow noise, and a solid state guidance system (this means that all the vacuum tubes and relays are replaced by integrated circuits). All these modifications increase active detection range  by 50-90% and passive detection range by 100-200%, partly because with less flow noise the acoustic system can be made more sensitive. Performance also improves at higher speed and in shallow water, in both cases thanks to noise reduction.

In 1995 the Zwaardvis (2) submarine class was decommissioned and therefore the NT 37 torpedo retired from active service also. Although it is possible to fire this torpedo with a Walrus (2) class submarine, the torpedo probably kept on stock only.

The Mk 48 ^mod4 is designed to combat fast, deep-diving nuclear submarines and high performance surface ships and is the standard torpedo for the Walrus (2) submarine class. Mk 48 ^mod4 torpedoes can operate with or without wire guidance and use active and/or passive homing. When launched they execute programmed target search, acquisition and attack procedures. It can also conduct multiple re-attacks if it misses the target. The Mk 48 ^mod4 also incorporates TELCOM. TELCOM adds a 2-way wire link, allowing the torpedo operator to exploit the torpedo's own sonar, TELCOM transmits 14 torpedo and target parameters once each second. The Mk 48 ^mod4 was a transitional step towards the well known U.S. Navy Mk 48 ADCAP torpedo. In 1980 100 Mk 48's were supplied to the Royal Netherlands Navy.

The Mk 48 ^mod4 M is an upgrade all current (2005) Mk 48 users are implementing or have implemented. The Dutch Navy started upgrading early 2004.The upgraded consists of atleast the following improvements:

• Better muffler to reduce counter detection.
• Exhaust fumes diverted into the tailcone of the torpedo prior to exhaust outboard to reduce counter detection.
• Better propulsor to reduce counter detection.
• More horsepower due to the "sports exhaust" nessecary due to the fact that the new propulsor needs more rotations to gain speed.
• Different attack modes.
• ......?

Mk 48 torpedo loaded on board a Walrus (2) class submarine.

ADCAP (ADvanced CAPability) is an extensively modified version of the Mk 48 ^mod5 (follow-up of the Mk 48 ^mod4) with greater speed and endurance and a new seeker. The fuel rate to the swashplate engine is increased to add power (and more allowance is made for speed variation); more fuel is carried, in space liberated by a more compact computer. The new nose (transducer, electronically steered sonar with beam-former, and new signal processor) improves acquisition range, including range at high torpedo speed. A wider sonar field or view reduces the need for the torpedo to manoeuvre as it approaches its target. The ADCAP MODS program, suited to shallow-water operation against quit diesel submarines incorporates: a guidance and control software block upgrade and a torpedo propulsion upgrade (both restructured in 1993-94). There is also an upgrade to the analogue sonar transmitter. The guidance and control unit was tested beginning in October 1993. Other software tests were scheduled to start in 1996 and 1997. The advance sonar waveforms and computer processing were due for US fleet introduction in 1998.

It is expected that when the US Navy receives an upgraded version of the ADCAP the Dutch Submarine Service will receive the 'basic' ADCAP.

The Walrus (2) class submarines can fire the Sub-Harpoon, but none are bought.

Exercise Harpoon being loaded aboard Warus (2). Date and place unknown. Please contact us when you have more information on this photo.

 

 

Do you have additional info or corrections for this table ? Then please contact us at webmaster@dutchsubmarines.com

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