Dokkum-class minesweeper
# Dokkum-class minesweeper

The Dokkum class was a ship class of eighteen minesweepers that were built in the Netherlands for the Royal Netherlands Navy. They were paid for by the United States under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP).

## Design

The minesweepers of the Dokkum class were designed by the Dutch engineer Scheltema de Heere and based on the standard requirements laid down by the Western Union (WU), later known as Western European Union (WEU). Since the minesweepers of both the Dokkum and Wildervank class are based on WU requirements, they are sometimes referred to in Dutch as WU-class minesweepers or minesweepers of the Western Union type.

The ships of the Dokkum class were made mostly from wood, only the frame and superstructure was made from aluminium. It also had a double hull, with the inner hull made out of mahogany and the outer hull of teak. Furthermore, they were equipped with reversible propellers.

While the minesweepers of the Dokkum and Wildervank class are almost identical, they do differ when it comes to the engines. The Dokkum class was equipped with two MAN diesel engines and the Wildervank class with two Werkspoor engines. As a result the minesweepers of the Dokkum class were more durable than those of the Wildervank class.

When it came to sweeping mines the ships of the Dokkum class were equipped with several different sweepers. As mechanic sweeper it had the Wire Mk 3 mod 2, the magnetic sweeper consisted of the ML Mk 4 and later the Mb 5, and the acoustic sweepers consisted of the AX Mk 4v, AXx Mk 6B and AX Mk 3. Furthermore, the ships were equipped with two 40 mm guns.

### Conversion to minehunter

To keep in line with NATO requirements it was decided in 1962 to rebuild four Dokkum-class minesweepers (Dokkum, Drunen, Staphorst and Veere) into minehunters. During the rebuilding the ships were equipped with a Plessey 193 minehunting system, the bridge was modified to better suit mine hunting operations, an automatic track and trace system and autopilot were installed and several other modifications were implemented. The four minehunters of the Dokkum class entered service of the Royal Netherlands Navy between 1968 and 1969.

## Ships in class

The ships were named after the smaller Dutch municipalities.

Dokkum-class construction data :

| Hull number | Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Fate |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| M801 | Dokkum ¹ | Wilton-Fijenoord | 15 June 1953 | 12 October 1954 | 26 July 1955 | 15 April 1983 | |
| M802 | Hoogezand | Gusto Shipyard | 17 July 1953 | 22 March 1955 | 7 November 1955 | 15 September 1993 | Sold for scrap to R. Zorn |
| M806 | Roermond ² | Wilton-Fijenoord | 19 September 1953 | 13 August 1955 | 29 December 1955 | 16 April 1987 | In use by Zeekadetkorps Lemmer |
| M809 | Naaldwijk | De Noord Shipyard | 2 November 1953 | 1 February 1955 | 8 December 1955 | 28 January 1994 | In use by scouting Haarlem |
| M810 | Abcoude | Gusto Shipyard | 10 November 1953 | 2 September 1955 | 18 May 1956 | 5 November 1993 | Sold to the Peruvian Navy, now named Zimic |
| M812 | Drachten | Niestern Scheepsbouw Unie | 29 December 1953 | 24 March 1955 | 27 January 1956 | 3 September 1994 | |
| M813 | Ommen | J. & K. Smit | 22 December 1953 | 5 April 1955 | 19 April 1956 | 23 July 1994 | |
| M815 | Giethoorn | L. Smit en Zoon | 22 December 1953 | 30 March 1955 | 29 March 1956 | 15 September 1993 | Sold for scrap to R. Zorn |
| M817 | Venlo | Arnhemse Scheepsbouw Maatschappij | 10 February 1954 | 21 May 1955 | 26 April 1956 | 15 September 1993 | Sold for scrap to R. Zorn |
| M818 | Drunen ¹ | Gusto Shipyard | 8 January 1955 | 24 March 1956 | 30 August 1956 | 19 April 1984 | Sold for scrap to Fa. Westmetaal Amsterdam |
| M820 | Woerden ² | Haarlemse Scheepsbouw Maatschappij | 10 August 1954 | 28 November 1956 | 24 April 1957 | September 1985 | |
| M823 | Naarden | Wilton-Fijenoord | 28 October 1954 | 27 January 1956 | 18 May 1956 | 1999 | In use by Zeekadetkorps Delfzijl |
| M827 | Hoogeveen | De Noord Shipyard | 1 February 1955 | 8 May 1956 | 2 November 1956 | 1999 | Museum ship in Den Helder |
| M828 | Staphorst ¹ | Gusto Shipyard | 2 May 1955 | 21 July 1956 | 23 January 1957 | 20 January 1984 | Sold for scrap to Fa. Westmetaal Amsterdam |
| M830 | Sittard | Niestern Scheepsbouw Unie | 24 March 1955 | 26 April 1956 | 19 December 1956 | 1999 | In use by Zeekadetkorps Harlingen |
| M841 | Gemert | J. & K. Smit | 5 April 1995 | 13 March 1956 | 7 September 1956 | 15 September 1993 | Sold for scrap to R. Zorn |
| M842 | Veere ¹ | L. Smit en Zoon | 30 March 1955 | 9 February 1956 | 27 September 1956 | 19 October 1984 | Sold for scrap to Fa. Westmetaal Amsterdam |
| M844 | Rhenen ² | Arnhemse Scheepsbouw Maatschappij | 18 April 1955 | 31 May 1956 | 7 December 1956 | 1 January 1984 | Sold for scrap to Fa. Holland en Zn. |

* ¹ = later rebuild as minehunter
* ² = later rebuild as diving support vessel

## Export

In 1994 the Abcoude was sold for 450.000 Dutch guilders to Peru. In addition, the reserve parts of the ship were sold for 160.000 Dutch guilders.

