HNLMS Java (1921): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox ship image

| Ship image = Java cruiser SLV H91.325 284.jpg

| Ship caption = ''Java'' in itsher original configuration {{circa}} 1925

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{{Infobox ship career

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'''HNLMS ''Java''''' was the lead ship of the [[Java-class cruiser|''Java''-class]] [[Light cruiser|light cruisers]] operated by the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]]. ItShe was designed to defend the [[Dutch East Indies]] and outperform all potential rivals. ItShe was laid down in 1916, but a series of construction delays prevented ither from being completed until 1925. By the time ''Java''she entered service, theher design was already dated. Over the next several years, itshe operated in the [[Indonesian archipelago]] and protected [[Merchant ship|merchant ships]] during the [[Spanish Civil War]].

During World War II, it''Java'' joined allied forces as part of the [[American-British-Dutch-Australian Command|American-British-Dutch-Australian Striking Force]], participated in several failed attempts to intercept Japanese invasions of the East Indies, and fended off several air attacks. During the [[Battle of the Java Sea]], ''Java''she was ambushed by the cruiser ''[[Japanese cruiser Nachi|Nachi]]''. A torpedo struck the ship'sher magazine; the resulting explosion ripped the ship apart and itshe promptly sank with most of theher crew. TheHer wreck was later illegally salvaged for metal in the 2010s, which destroyed most of the ship.

== Design ==

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=== Design ===

When ''Java'' and itsher class was designed in 1915, the Navy believed they were the most powerful and modern cruisers in the world. ItShe had ten {{Convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} guns: two on the bow, two stern, and three guns on either side. The rest of the ship'sher armament consisted of four {{Convert|7.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft guns]] and 36 [[Naval mine|mines]]. ''Java''She had a length of {{Convert|155.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}, [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{Convert|16|m|ft|abbr=on}}, [[Draft (hull)|draft]] of {{Convert|5.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}, and a [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]] of {{convert|8,278|LT|t|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|pages=|page=10}} TheHer top speed of 30 knots was achieved by three turbines powered by eight [[Fuel oil|oil-fed]] boilers, which provided {{cvt|73,000|shp|MW|lk=on}} to three [[Propeller|propellers]]. <ref name=":8" />{{Rp|pages=|page=190}} TheHer armor consisted of {{Convert|125|mm|in|abbr=on}} around the conning tower, {{Convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on}} [[Gun shield|gun shields]], {{Convert|75|mm|in|abbr=on}} [[Belt armor|armored belt]], and an armored [[Deck (ship)|deck]] between {{convert|25-50|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} thick.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|pages=|page=10}}

== Construction ==

[[File:Kruiser Hr.Ms. Sumatra (1926-1942) Oplegperiode tijdens WOII in Portsrmouth, UK. Oefeningen 15 cm- geschut (2158 011547).jpg|thumb|''Java'''s single-barrel open turrets were already obsolete by the time itshe entered service (image from sister ship ''Sumatra'').]]

Dutch [[Naval architecture|naval architects]] had no experience with a ship such as ''Java'', so design work and construction of various components was done by German firms such as [[Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft|Germaniawerft]] and [[Krupp]]. On 15 November 1915, ''Java''she was ordered from the [[NV Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde|N.V. Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde]] shipyard in [[Vlissingen]] and laid down on 31 May 1916.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|pages=|page=8}} The reliance on German expertise soon backfired as [[World War I]] and the [[Treaty of Versailles]] crippled the German arms industry, which leadled to supply shortages. In conjunction with a series of [[Strike action|strikes]] and delays in building the ship's engines, construction stalled for years.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|pages=|page=8,9}}<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=van Oosten |first=F. C. |title=Warship Profile 40: Her Netherlands Majesty's Ship De Ruyter |date=1 January 1974 |publisher=Profile Publications |isbn=9780853830627 }}</ref>{{Rp|pages=73}} Progress restarted in 1920, although the third ship of the class, ''Celebes'', was canceled during the pause.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|pages=|page=8,9}} ''Java'' was launched on 9 August 1921, and finally completed on 1 May 1925.<ref name=":8" />{{Rp|pages=|page=190}}

The significant delays of her construction saw the ship outdated by the time itshe entered service, primarily regarding her armament. By 1922, the [[Washington Naval Treaty]] created a [[Heavy cruiser#Washington Treaty|new standard of cruiser]] equipped with {{Convert|203|mm|in|abbr=on}} guns, which Japan heavily invested in. In addition, the single-barrel turrets protected by [[Gun shield|gun shields]] used on ''Java'' had already been replaced by enclosed, multi-gun turrets fed by independent [[Magazine (artillery)#Naval magazines|magazines]] in other navies.<ref name=":74" />{{Rp|page=138|pages=}}<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=10}}

==Service history ==

[[File:H.M. Java 1935-5 in Nederlands Indië.jpg|thumb|''Java'' after itsher 1937 refit. Note itsher shorter and thicker mast. ]]

=== Peace time ===

After itshe entered service, ''Java'' sailed to [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]] before leavingshe left for the Dutch East Indies. ''Java''She was soon fitted with [[Derrick|derricks]] to support two planes. The first aircraft the shipshe was fitted with was the [[Fairey IIID#IIID|Fairey IIID]], although they were fragile and replaced by the [[Fokker C.VII-W]] floatplane in 1926. For the next several years, itshe operated in the [[Indonesian archipelago|Indonesian Archipelago]] and visited numerous cities throughout [[Asia]] and [[Oceania]]. In 1937, ''Java''she left Asia and protected convoys traveling through the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] during the [[Spanish Civil War]] for several months in 1937. While in Europe, itshe participated in the [[Coronation of George VI and Elizabeth#The Coronation Review of the Fleet|1937 Spithead Fleet Review]] before returning to the Netherlands for a refit. During theher refit, theher anti-air armament was swapped out for four twin [[Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun|Bofors {{Convert|40|mm|in|abbr=on}}]] guns, the masts were rebuilt and shortened, and four {{Convert|12.7|mm|in|abbr=on}} [[Machine gun|machine guns]] were added. Once work was done in January 1938, ''Java''she resumed convoy escort duty in Gibraltar before returnungshe returned to the East Indies in May.<ref name=":8" />{{Rp|page=|pages=190-191}}

===Dutch East Indies Campaign===

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Following the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|bombing of Pearl Harbor]] and [[Bombing of Singapore (1941)|Japanese attacks on British Malaya]], the [[Dutch government-in-exile]] declared war on Japan on 8 December 1941.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=37}} Now in a war zone, ''Java'' continued to escort convoys.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Whitley |first=M. J. (Michael J. ) |url=https://archive.org/details/cruisers-of-wwii-enciclopedia-images/page/192/mode/2up?q=%22De+Ruyter%22+ |title=Cruisers of World War Two : an international encyclopedia |date=1995 |___location=London |publisher=Arms and Armour Press |isbn=978-1-85409-225-0}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=|page=191}} Over the next two months, Japan's rapid advances across Southeast Asia overwhelmed the region's [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] naval forces. In an effort to coordinate resistance, elements of the [[Royal Australian Navy|Australian]], [[Royal Navy|British]], Dutch, and [[United States Navy|American]] navies formed [[American-British-Dutch-Australian Command|ABDACOM]]: an [[ad hoc]] command that brought together each nation's available ships under a (nominally) unified structure. One of ABDACOM's first steps was the formation of an offensive fleet—the Combined Striking Force—composed of a mix of American and Dutch cruisers and destroyers. After initial delay, ''Java'' was reassigned to the Striking Force that was in desperate need of ships. Command of the fleet was under Dutch Admiral [[Karel Doorman]] on his [[flagship]] ''[[HNLMS De Ruyter (1935)|De Ruyter]]'', who was already in charge of the Dutch East Indies Fleet.<ref name=":74" />{{Rp|page=176–177,208-209|pages=}}

''Java''{{'}}s first role in the Combined Striking Force was to intercept the invasion of [[Sumatra]].<ref name=":74" />{{Rp|page=|pages=206-208}} A floatplane from ''De Ruyter'' found the Japanese invasion fleet, and the Allies were likewise detected. Without air support, the fleet was molestedharassed by Japanese bombers throughout [[Valentine's Day]]. No ships in the fleet were hit. Nevertheless, Doorman ordered a retreat, concerned about the possibility of further attacks.<ref name=":74" />{{Rp|page=|pages=209-211}}

==== Battle of Badung Strait ====

{{Main|Battle of Badung Strait}}

[[File:Aerial view of HNLMS Java (cropped).jpg|thumb|''Java'' at anchor several weeks before itshe was sunk.]]

Japan's next target was [[Bali]]. The Allies knew the fall of Bali would directly threaten ABDACOM's bases on Java, and that an immediate response was needed.<ref name=":74">{{Cite book |last=Cox |first=Jeffrey |title=Rising Sun, Falling Skies: The Disastrous Java Sea Campaign of World War II |date=2014 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing Plc |isbn=978-1-4728-1060-1 |series=General Military |___location=London}}</ref>{{Rp|page=224|pages=}} A force to counterattack was assembled, but due to time constraints, the Allies were unable to coordinate a unified strike. Instead, the operation was planned in several waves. The first wave was led by ''Java'' and ''De Ruyter'', along with several destroyers. The plan was for the two cruisers to sail by at night and attack the invasion force's escorts and draw them away. This would leave the transports vulnerable to a follow-up attack by Allied destroyers.<ref name=":74" />{{Rp|page=226|pages=227-229}}

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{{Main|Battle of the Java Sea}}

On 26 February, the Allies learned the invasion of Java was underway. Doorman intended to use everything at his disposal to repel the assault, and was reinforced by units from the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - WW2 People's War - Timeline Fact File : Battle of Java Sea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/timeline/factfiles/nonflash/a1122300.shtml |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2025-04-13 |magazine=BBC History}}</ref> The enlarged fleet, comprising five cruisers and nine destroyers from four nations, moved to intercept the Japanese forces off Java. Contact was made in the mid-afternoon, and the two fleets engaged at long range. The distance made accurate gunnery difficult: ''Java''{{'}}s salvos all missed and she was likewise not hit herself.<ref name=":03">{{Cite book |last=Stille |first=Mark |title=Java Sea 1942: Japan's conquest of the Netherlands East Indies |date=26 November 2019 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1472831613 |edition=Online}}</ref>{{Rp|page=80|pages=83-84}}

About 20 minutes into the battle, the Japanese fleet launched a large salvo of [[Type 93 torpedo|Type 93 torpedoes]] and hoped the Allied fleet would not expect such an attack from such an extreme range. The only hit was to the destroyer ''[[HNLMS Kortenaer (1927)|Kortenaer]]'', which promptly sank. The gunnery duel continued: [[HMS Exeter (68)|HMS ''Exeter'']] was struck in theher [[Fire room|boiler room]], which cut itsher speed to {{convert|11|kn|lk=in}}. As ''Exeter'' turned to withdraw and avoid colliding with the ships behind ither, ''Java'' and the trailing cruisers followed suit and mistakenly believed an order to do so had been given by ''De Ruyter''. Doorman then desperately had his now-isolated cruiser reform the [[Line of battle|battle line]] and ordered several destroyers to make torpedo attacks as cover.<ref name=":03" />{{Rp|page=84, 86|pages=}}

Once reunited, he then broke off from the engagement and circled around the Japanese to intercept the transports somewhere in the north.<ref name=":03" />{{Rp|page=89|pages=}} The force was now reduced to the cruisers ''De Ruyter'', ''Java'', ''[[USS Houston (CA-30)|Houston]]'', and ''[[HMAS Perth (D29)|Perth]]''. The destroyers had either been sunk, severely damaged, tasked with escorting the crippled ''Exeter'', or forced to break off due to lack of fuel and torpedoes.<ref name=":03" />{{Rp|page=89, 92, 96|pages=}}

==== Sinking ====

[[File:NH 111605 Japanese heavy cruiser, HIJMS NACHI (cropped)Nachi-19420306.jpgpng|thumb|Japanese heavy cruiser ''Nachi'' (pictured)days after she torpedoed ''Java'' with devastating effect.]]

During the night of 26 February, the cruisers were temporarily followed by Japanese [[Floatplane|floatplanes]], which gave the enemy an understanding of the fleet's route. Unaware, the Allied cruisers passed near the invasion force but were ambushed by the Japanese [[Heavy cruiser|heavy cruisers]] ''[[Japanese cruiser Haguro|Haguro]]'' and ''[[Japanese cruiser Nachi|Nachi]]''. Under cover of darkness, the Japanese closed to {{Convert|9,000|yd|m}} undetected and fired a spread of torpedoes followed by a renewed gun duel. ''Java''{{'}}s crew, exhausted and low on ammunition, did not shoot back at such a long range.<ref name=":74" />{{Rp|page=314-316|pages=}}

When the torpedoes were detected, the fleet took evasive action. ''Java'', at the end of the battle line, did not turn in time and was struck by a torpedo from ''Nachi'' near theher magazine at 11:36 PM. The older ship, which lacked modern protections, was obliterated in the following explosion. The rear-most gun and {{Convert|100|ft|m}} of ''Java's''her stern was blown off in an explosion so large it was felt onboard other ships in formation. [[Damage control (maritime)|Damage control]] was hopeless and the [[engine room]] began to flood. The order to abandon ship was given by [[captain]] {{Interlanguage link|Philippus Bernardus Maria van Straelen|lt=Philippus van Straelen|nl}}. Crews were initially calm, but they struggled to access the ship's [[Personal flotation device|life vests]]. The vests were kept locked in a compartment with one hatch, and a mob formed when sailors struggled to pass each other to reach the compartment. The ship sank in 15 minutes, which left little time to deploy [[Lifeboat (rescue)|lifeboats]]. Crew members jumped ship and clung onto anything thrown overboard.<ref name=":74" />{{Rp|page=316-317|pages=}} There were only 19 survivors from theher complement of 525 sailors.<ref name=":8" />{{Rp|page=190}}<ref name=":022">{{Cite book |last=Noppen |first=Ryan K. |title=The Royal Netherlands Navy of World War II |date=2020 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing Plc |others=Illustrated by Paul Wright |isbn=978-1-4728-4191-9 |edition=1st |series=New Vanguard Series |___location=London}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=|page=44}}

==Wreck==

The cruiser sank on itsher starboard side and lies in {{Convert|67|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 February 2017 |title=Verification of the Location and Condition of the Dutch Shipwrecks in the Java Sea |url=https://english.cultureelerfgoed.nl/binaries/cultureelerfgoed-en/documenten/publications/2017/01/01/report-of-the-dutch-shipwrecks-in-the-java-sea/Verification_of_the_location_and+_ondition_of_the_Dutch_Shipwrecks_in_the_Java_Sea.pdf |url-status= |access-date=18 April 2025 |publisher=[[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]] (Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands) |page=27}}</ref> ''Java's''Her wreck was discovered by an amateur diver in 2002. When an expedition in 2017 was only able to find an imprint left in the seabed, it was believed the wreck had been intentionally dismantled. The Dutch government investigated, offended at the mass disturbance of [[War grave|war graves]]. An investigation determined the wreck's disappearance was part of a trend in which shallow-water World War II-era shipwrecks were blown apart and salvaged by groups posing as fishersfishermen.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holmes |first=Oliver |last2= |first2= |date=2016-11-16 |title=Mystery as wrecks of three Dutch WWII ships vanish from Java seabed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/16/three-dutch-second-world-war-shipwrecks-vanish-java-sea-indonesia |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The vessel believed to be responsible, the Chinese [[Dredging|dredger]] ''Chuan Hong 68'', was detained by Malaysian authorities in 2024 and accused of dismantling the wrecks for either [[low-background steel]] or [[Scrap|scrap metal]]. It was alleged that the scrapping was done regardless of the wrecks' nationality, with American, Dutch, Japanese, British, and Australian ships affected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grady |first=John |date=2023-05-25 |title=U.K. Royal Navy 'Distressed and Concerned' by Illegal Chinese Salvage of WWII Wrecks |url=https://news.usni.org/2023/05/25/u-k-royal-navy-distressed-and-concerned-by-illegal-chinese-salvage-of-wwii-wrecks |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=USNI News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grady |first=John |date=2024-07-04 |title=Chinese Ship Suspected of Raiding World War II Wrecks Detained |url=https://news.usni.org/2024/07/04/chinese-ship-suspected-of-raiding-world-war-ii-wrecks-detained |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=USNI News |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported the bones from ''Java'' and other warships were removed from their respective wrecks during scrapping in [[Indonesia]] and were dumped in several [[Mass grave|mass graves]] nearby. The Dutch and Indonesian governments collaborated in the investigation, [[Burial#Exhumation|exhumed]] suspected graves, and laid out plans to prevent further damage to the shipwrecks.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-07-21 |title=Investigation into disappeared WWII wrecks in Asia - Maritime Heritage - Cultural Heritage Agency |url=https://english.cultureelerfgoed.nl/topics/maritime-heritage/international-projects/indonesia/investigation-into-disappeared-wwii-wrecks-in-asia-continues |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913003542/https://english.cultureelerfgoed.nl/topics/maritime-heritage/international-projects/indonesia/investigation-into-disappeared-wwii-wrecks-in-asia-continues |archive-date=13 September 2024 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=english.cultureelerfgoed.nl |publisher=[[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]] (Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands) |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Boffey |first=Daniel |date=2018-01-22 |title=Bodies of Second World War sailors in Java sea 'dumped in mass grave' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/bodies-of-second-world-war-sailors-in-java-sea-dumped-in-mass-grave |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lamb |first=Kate |date=2018-02-28 |title=Lost bones, a mass grave and war wrecks plundered off Indonesia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/28/bones-mass-grave-british-war-wrecks-java-indonesia |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==References==