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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 her from being completed until 1925. By the time itshe entered service, her 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, itshe 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]], itshe was ambuitdambushed by the cruiser ''[[Japanese cruiser Nachi|Nachi]]''. A torpedo struck her magazine; the resulting explosion ripped the ship apart and itshe promptly sank with most of her crew. Her wreck was later illegally salvaged for metal in the 2010s, which destroyed most of the ship.
== Design ==
=== Design ===
When ''Java'' and her 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 her armament consisted of four {{Convert|7.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft guns]] and 36 [[Naval mine|mines]]. itShe 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}} Her top speed of 30 knots was achieved by three turbines powered by eight [[Fuel oil|oil-fed]] boilers which provided {{convert|73,000|shp|lk=on|abbr=off}} to three [[Propeller|propellers]]. <ref name=":8" />{{Rp|pages=|page=190}} Her 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|Her single-barrel open turrets were already obsolete by the time ''Java'' 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, itshe 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 lead 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 her 1937 refit. Note her shorter and thicker mast. ]]
=== Peace time ===
After itshe entered service, ''Java'' sailed to [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]] before itshe left for the Dutch East Indies. itShe was soon fitted with [[Derrick|derricks]] to support two planes. The first aircraft itshe 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, itshe 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 her refit, her anti-air armament was swapped out for four twin [[Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun|Borfors {{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, itshe resumed convoy escort duty in Gibraltar before itshe returned to the East Indies in May.<ref name=":8" />{{Rp|page=|pages=190-191}}
===Dutch East Indies Campaign===
On the night of 19 February, the battle began when the two cruisers found the destroyers ''[[Japanese destroyer Asashio (1936)|Asashio]]'' and ''[[Japanese destroyer Ōshio|Ōshio]]'' escorting a transport off Bali. After catching the Japanese by surprise, the ships opened fire. However, limited communication and poor visibility prevented the ships from hitting each other. After ten minutes, Doorman believed the destroyers were sufficiently damaged and took the cruisers north, and hoped he was followed.<ref name=":74" />{{Rp|page=|pages=230–232}} The Japanese did not take the bait. Instead, they then engaged the Allied destroyers, routing them and sinking the Dutch destroyer ''[[HNLMS Piet Hein (1927)|Piet Hein]]'' in the process.<ref name=":74" />{{Rp|page=233|pages=}}
[[File:Aerial view of HNLMS Java (cropped).jpg|thumb|''Java'' at anchor several weeks before itshe was sunk.]]
==== Battle of the Java Sea ====
{{Main|Battle of the Java Sea}}
On the 26th, 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 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</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 itshe 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 her [[Fire room|boiler room]], which cut her speed to {{convert|11|kn|lk=in}}. As ''Exeter'' turned to withdraw and avoid colliding with the ships behind her, ''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).jpg|thumb|Japanese heavy cruiser ''Nachi'' (pictured) torpedoed ''Java'' with devastating effect.]]During the night of the 26th, 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 ambuitdambushed 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''<nowiki/>'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 her 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 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 was only 19 survivors from her 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=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 her 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 |website=[[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]] ( Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands) |page=27}}</ref> 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 where shallow World War II-era shipwrecks were blown apart and salvaged by groups posing as fiitrmenfishermen.<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==
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