HNLMS Medusa (1911)
Encyclopedia
HNLMS Medusa was a Dutch minelayer of the Hydra class
, built in Amsterdam
and named after Medusa
in Greek mythology.
, reaching The Downs
the following day. She was first stationed at Falmouth
alongside the two ships of the Douwe Aukes class
before being transferred to Holyhead
on 31 July 1940 to be the tender to the Dutch depot ship Stuyvesant. After the war the Medusa remained in the UK until 15 January 1946, before returning to the Netherlands to provide accommodation and training facilities for the Mine Service
. She was officially decommissioned on 5 June 1965, being sold for scrap the following 25 September to the Jos Desmedt yard in Antwerp.
Hydra class minelayer
The Hydra class were two minelayers of the Royal Netherlands Navy, built to serve in the Dutch East Indies and Dutch territorial waters in Europe. The construction of the ships began in 1910 and was completed in 1912. The ships were built by the navy yard in Amsterdam. Both ships were still in...
, built in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
and named after Medusa
Medusa
In Greek mythology Medusa , " guardian, protectress") was a Gorgon, a chthonic monster, and a daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. The author Hyginus, interposes a generation and gives Medusa another chthonic pair as parents. Gazing directly upon her would turn onlookers to stone...
in Greek mythology.
Service
In the late afternoon of 14 May 1940, under constant heavy attack, the Medusa sailed for the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, reaching The Downs
The Downs
The Downs are a roadstead or area of sea in the southern North Sea near the English Channel off the east Kent coast, between the North and the South Foreland in southern England. In 1639 the Battle of the Downs took place here, when the Dutch navy destroyed a Spanish fleet which had sought refuge...
the following day. She was first stationed at Falmouth
Falmouth, Cornwall
Falmouth is a town, civil parish and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a total resident population of 21,635.Falmouth is the terminus of the A39, which begins some 200 miles away in Bath, Somerset....
alongside the two ships of the Douwe Aukes class
Douwe Aukes class minelayer
The Douwe Aukes class were minelayers of the Royal Netherlands Navy, named after the naval hero Douwe Aukes.The two ships were built at the Gusto shipyard in Schiedam...
before being transferred to Holyhead
Holyhead
Holyhead is the largest town in the county of Anglesey in the North Wales. It is also a major port adjacent to the Irish Sea serving Ireland....
on 31 July 1940 to be the tender to the Dutch depot ship Stuyvesant. After the war the Medusa remained in the UK until 15 January 1946, before returning to the Netherlands to provide accommodation and training facilities for the Mine Service
Mine Service
The Mine Service is the wing of the Royal Netherlands Navy dealing with mine-laying and minesweeping. It was established in 1907 from the Torpedo Service ....
. She was officially decommissioned on 5 June 1965, being sold for scrap the following 25 September to the Jos Desmedt yard in Antwerp.