Hydra-class minelayer

For other ships with the same name, see Hydra class frigate and Hydra class battleship.

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 (Rijkswerf) in Amsterdam. Both ships were still in service during the Second World War. Only Medusa escaped to the United Kingdom, however. Hydra was lost after the ship was fired on by an anti-tank weapon. The minelayer sank in the waters off Zeeland.

HNLMS Hydra
Class overview
Name	Hydra class
Builders	Rijkswerf, Amsterdam
Operators	Royal Netherlands Navy
Built	1910–1912
In commission	1911–1964
Completed	2
Lost	1
General characteristics
Type	Minelayer
Displacement	593 t (584 long tons) standard 657 t (647 long tons) full
Length	49.7 m (163 ft 1 in)
Propulsion	800 hp (600 kW) engine
Speed	11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Complement	59
Armament	Hydra: 3 × 75 mm (3 in) guns (3×1) 2 × .50 calibre machine guns 70 naval mines Medusa: 2 × 75 mm (3 in) HA/LA semi-automatic guns 1 × 75 mm (3 in) L/55 No. 2 semi-automatic gun 2 × .50 calibre machine guns 1 × .25 calibre machine gun 73 naval mines

Ships in class

• HNLMS Hydra (1912) (1912–1940)
• HNLMS Medusa (1911) (1911–1964)

Sources

• netherlandsnavy.nl Hydra-class minelayers