HNLMS Van Speijk (F828) is the eighth and last ship in the Karel Doorman-class

Karel Doorman class frigate

The Karel Doorman class is a class of eight multi-purpose frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The class is also known as the "Multi-purpose" or M class....

 of multi-purpose frigate

Frigate

A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

s.

Van Speijk was laid down 1 October 1991, launched 26 March 1994, and commissioned 7 September 1995.

She is the seventh ship in the Royal Netherlands Navy

Royal Netherlands Navy

The Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...

 to be named after Jan van Speijk, who, during the Belgian Revolution

Belgian Revolution

The Belgian Revolution was the conflict which led to the secession of the Southern provinces from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and established an independent Kingdom of Belgium....

, blew up his ship rather than let it fall into Belgian hands.

External links

• homepage of Hr. Ms. Van Speijk (in Dutch)