Piet

Well done Nils. I too enjoy strolling around the deck to inhale the mild sea breeze and smell the salt air. So, yeah, I am an old romantic and like to dream.
 
Cheers,

Another small update on the O16. Before tackling the railing on the con I wanted to finely cement the deck torpedo launcher doors to the hull. Instead of closing the launcher area off on both sides I cemented one closed and cemented the other door laying down so we can peek inside and see the launcher. I relity they fold down inboard to lay against stops on top of the pressure hull.
This was actually done in to time so I decided to complete the display board. I cut a piece of boxwood to 1/16 inch thick by 9 1/4 by 1 1/8 inch to cover my poplar base piece nicely. Glued and clamped it to set to cure overnight.
In the meantime I cut two 1/8 inch pins of bamboo to place the model on. Originally I thought to turn two mooring bollards to set the model on and actually started to make one on my Unimat lathe but on a visit to Hobby Lobby and browsing along the isles I found some really nice brass beads that would fit. Well, okay, not quite mooring bollards but it saved me a lot of time.
 
Today was a rainy day with T-storms, thus ideal to spend some time on the display board. I cleaned a little excess glue off, sanded it down and applied a coat of warm satin Colonial maple stain. Rubbed it in real good and applied a second coat on it and repeated step, let it dry.
I drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the bottom of the sub and when the stain dry enough to handle I also drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the display board at the appropriate places.  Glued the pins in, put the brass beads on and placed the O16 on it. I'm really happy with the way it looks.
 
If youns don't mind I like to add e few pics of the O16's interior as well.
 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the closed position, port side.

 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the open position, starboard side.

 
1/16 inch boxwood plank glued and clamped.

 
The finished display board.

 
Bamboo mounting pins installed with the brass beads on them.

 
The O16 temporarily placed on the board with the con also temporarily placed on her.

 
Forward torpedo room.

 
 
Crew quarters.

 
Officer's quarters.

 
Central control room on port side. This is located below the bridge inside the main hull.

 
Engine room.

Aft torpedo room with galley.

Enjoy.
 
Cheers,
 
 

Another small update on the O16. Before tackling the railing on the con I wanted to finely cement the deck torpedo launcher doors to the hull. Instead of closing the launcher area off on both sides I cemented one closed and cemented the other door laying down so we can peek inside and see the launcher. I relity they fold down inboard to lay against stops on top of the pressure hull.
This was actually done in to time so I decided to complete the display board. I cut a piece of boxwood to 1/16 inch thick by 9 1/4 by 1 1/8 inch to cover my poplar base piece nicely. Glued and clamped it to set to cure overnight.
In the meantime I cut two 1/8 inch pins of bamboo to place the model on. Originally I thought to turn two mooring bollards to set the model on and actually started to make one on my Unimat lathe but on a visit to Hobby Lobby and browsing along the isles I found some really nice brass beads that would fit. Well, okay, not quite mooring bollards but it saved me a lot of time.
 
Today was a rainy day with T-storms, thus ideal to spend some time on the display board. I cleaned a little excess glue off, sanded it down and applied a coat of warm satin Colonial maple stain. Rubbed it in real good and applied a second coat on it and repeated step, let it dry.
I drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the bottom of the sub and when the stain dry enough to handle I also drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the display board at the appropriate places.  Glued the pins in, put the brass beads on and placed the O16 on it. I'm really happy with the way it looks.
 
If youns don't mind I like to add e few pics of the O16's interior as well.
 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the closed position, port side.

 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the open position, starboard side.

 
1/16 inch boxwood plank glued and clamped.

 
The finished display board.

 
Bamboo mounting pins installed with the brass beads on them.

 
The O16 temporarily placed on the board with the con also temporarily placed on her.

 
Forward torpedo room.

 
 
Crew quarters.

 
Officer's quarters.

 
Central control room on port side. This is located below the bridge inside the main hull.

 
Engine room.

Aft torpedo room with galley.

Enjoy.
 
Cheers,
 
 

Another small update on the O16. Before tackling the railing on the con I wanted to finely cement the deck torpedo launcher doors to the hull. Instead of closing the launcher area off on both sides I cemented one closed and cemented the other door laying down so we can peek inside and see the launcher. I relity they fold down inboard to lay against stops on top of the pressure hull.
This was actually done in to time so I decided to complete the display board. I cut a piece of boxwood to 1/16 inch thick by 9 1/4 by 1 1/8 inch to cover my poplar base piece nicely. Glued and clamped it to set to cure overnight.
In the meantime I cut two 1/8 inch pins of bamboo to place the model on. Originally I thought to turn two mooring bollards to set the model on and actually started to make one on my Unimat lathe but on a visit to Hobby Lobby and browsing along the isles I found some really nice brass beads that would fit. Well, okay, not quite mooring bollards but it saved me a lot of time.
 
Today was a rainy day with T-storms, thus ideal to spend some time on the display board. I cleaned a little excess glue off, sanded it down and applied a coat of warm satin Colonial maple stain. Rubbed it in real good and applied a second coat on it and repeated step, let it dry.
I drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the bottom of the sub and when the stain dry enough to handle I also drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the display board at the appropriate places.  Glued the pins in, put the brass beads on and placed the O16 on it. I'm really happy with the way it looks.
 
If youns don't mind I like to add e few pics of the O16's interior as well.
 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the closed position, port side.

 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the open position, starboard side.

 
1/16 inch boxwood plank glued and clamped.

 
The finished display board.

 
Bamboo mounting pins installed with the brass beads on them.

 
The O16 temporarily placed on the board with the con also temporarily placed on her.

 
Forward torpedo room.

 
 
Crew quarters.

 
Officer's quarters.

 
Central control room on port side. This is located below the bridge inside the main hull.

 
Engine room.

Aft torpedo room with galley.

Enjoy.
 
Cheers,
 
 

Another small update on the O16. Before tackling the railing on the con I wanted to finely cement the deck torpedo launcher doors to the hull. Instead of closing the launcher area off on both sides I cemented one closed and cemented the other door laying down so we can peek inside and see the launcher. I relity they fold down inboard to lay against stops on top of the pressure hull.
This was actually done in to time so I decided to complete the display board. I cut a piece of boxwood to 1/16 inch thick by 9 1/4 by 1 1/8 inch to cover my poplar base piece nicely. Glued and clamped it to set to cure overnight.
In the meantime I cut two 1/8 inch pins of bamboo to place the model on. Originally I thought to turn two mooring bollards to set the model on and actually started to make one on my Unimat lathe but on a visit to Hobby Lobby and browsing along the isles I found some really nice brass beads that would fit. Well, okay, not quite mooring bollards but it saved me a lot of time.
 
Today was a rainy day with T-storms, thus ideal to spend some time on the display board. I cleaned a little excess glue off, sanded it down and applied a coat of warm satin Colonial maple stain. Rubbed it in real good and applied a second coat on it and repeated step, let it dry.
I drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the bottom of the sub and when the stain dry enough to handle I also drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the display board at the appropriate places.  Glued the pins in, put the brass beads on and placed the O16 on it. I'm really happy with the way it looks.
 
If youns don't mind I like to add e few pics of the O16's interior as well.
 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the closed position, port side.

 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the open position, starboard side.

 
1/16 inch boxwood plank glued and clamped.

 
The finished display board.

 
Bamboo mounting pins installed with the brass beads on them.

 
The O16 temporarily placed on the board with the con also temporarily placed on her.

 
Forward torpedo room.

 
 
Crew quarters.

 
Officer's quarters.

 
Central control room on port side. This is located below the bridge inside the main hull.

 
Engine room.

Aft torpedo room with galley.

Enjoy.
 
Cheers,
 
 

Another small update on the O16. Before tackling the railing on the con I wanted to finely cement the deck torpedo launcher doors to the hull. Instead of closing the launcher area off on both sides I cemented one closed and cemented the other door laying down so we can peek inside and see the launcher. I relity they fold down inboard to lay against stops on top of the pressure hull.
This was actually done in to time so I decided to complete the display board. I cut a piece of boxwood to 1/16 inch thick by 9 1/4 by 1 1/8 inch to cover my poplar base piece nicely. Glued and clamped it to set to cure overnight.
In the meantime I cut two 1/8 inch pins of bamboo to place the model on. Originally I thought to turn two mooring bollards to set the model on and actually started to make one on my Unimat lathe but on a visit to Hobby Lobby and browsing along the isles I found some really nice brass beads that would fit. Well, okay, not quite mooring bollards but it saved me a lot of time.
 
Today was a rainy day with T-storms, thus ideal to spend some time on the display board. I cleaned a little excess glue off, sanded it down and applied a coat of warm satin Colonial maple stain. Rubbed it in real good and applied a second coat on it and repeated step, let it dry.
I drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the bottom of the sub and when the stain dry enough to handle I also drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the display board at the appropriate places.  Glued the pins in, put the brass beads on and placed the O16 on it. I'm really happy with the way it looks.
 
If youns don't mind I like to add e few pics of the O16's interior as well.
 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the closed position, port side.

 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the open position, starboard side.

 
1/16 inch boxwood plank glued and clamped.

 
The finished display board.

 
Bamboo mounting pins installed with the brass beads on them.

 
The O16 temporarily placed on the board with the con also temporarily placed on her.

 
Forward torpedo room.

 
 
Crew quarters.

 
Officer's quarters.

 
Central control room on port side. This is located below the bridge inside the main hull.

 
Engine room.

Aft torpedo room with galley.

Enjoy.
 
Cheers,
 
 

Another small update on the O16. Before tackling the railing on the con I wanted to finely cement the deck torpedo launcher doors to the hull. Instead of closing the launcher area off on both sides I cemented one closed and cemented the other door laying down so we can peek inside and see the launcher. I relity they fold down inboard to lay against stops on top of the pressure hull.
This was actually done in to time so I decided to complete the display board. I cut a piece of boxwood to 1/16 inch thick by 9 1/4 by 1 1/8 inch to cover my poplar base piece nicely. Glued and clamped it to set to cure overnight.
In the meantime I cut two 1/8 inch pins of bamboo to place the model on. Originally I thought to turn two mooring bollards to set the model on and actually started to make one on my Unimat lathe but on a visit to Hobby Lobby and browsing along the isles I found some really nice brass beads that would fit. Well, okay, not quite mooring bollards but it saved me a lot of time.
 
Today was a rainy day with T-storms, thus ideal to spend some time on the display board. I cleaned a little excess glue off, sanded it down and applied a coat of warm satin Colonial maple stain. Rubbed it in real good and applied a second coat on it and repeated step, let it dry.
I drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the bottom of the sub and when the stain dry enough to handle I also drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the display board at the appropriate places.  Glued the pins in, put the brass beads on and placed the O16 on it. I'm really happy with the way it looks.
 
If youns don't mind I like to add e few pics of the O16's interior as well.
 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the closed position, port side.

 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the open position, starboard side.

 
1/16 inch boxwood plank glued and clamped.

 
The finished display board.

 
Bamboo mounting pins installed with the brass beads on them.

 
The O16 temporarily placed on the board with the con also temporarily placed on her.

 
Forward torpedo room.

 
 
Crew quarters.

 
Officer's quarters.

 
Central control room on port side. This is located below the bridge inside the main hull.

 
Engine room.

Aft torpedo room with galley.

Enjoy.
 
Cheers,
 
 

Well friends, today I'll have a little update - - - finally. As shown in a previous post that I have started work on the "sail" or the conning tower and have added a few items to it. It may not seem like a lot but understand that I have many other non model building projects to do. 
What's shown in this update actually took place over a few days.
 
Okay, so I cemented the 6 doors to the sides of the lower part of the con and the handholds to the same sides as well as to the "bath tub" aka the bridge. As the CA was curing I also prepped both of the 40 mm AA guns but decided to wait with cementing them on till the railings were put on. I figure it is easier to put the railings on first, that way I have some maneuvering room. 
 
And in trying to remove one of the guns from it's mold base using a jeweler's saw, my holding hand slipped and knocked the barrel off. Rats - - grumble, grumble. Quickly with a pair of tweezers and a tiny drop of CA I managed to cement it back on. Hmmm, error numero duo but after carefully cleaning the excess cement off it should look acceptable, especially when painted.
 
Here are a few pics.
 
This shows the sail / con with the pertinent parts to be attached. That funky green strip on the bottom of then pic is a sanding stick I picked up at Hobby Lobby. It has a fine and a course side to it and is flexible. It worked really great. The nail clipper and tweezers are the other tools I used.

 
Here, on the starboard side, most of the handholds and doors have been cemented on. The one for the periscope tube housing is still to go on yet. The extra CA cement will be removed by scraping with a #11 blade and finished with that sanding stick.

 
Here is the port side.

 
The con seen from the top.

 
 
This is that poor little 40 mm AA gun with its broken off barrel.

 
Both AA guns side by side. The one on the right is the repaired one, ready to be dressed.

 
Here is one of tine two AA guns on the tip of my finger indicating its small size. Not in PE but resin.

 
This is it for now. Next will be the hand railings on the forward and rear parts of the con and cementing the two AA guns in place.
 
Cheers,
 
 

Okay folks a little trivia. This may be something not many people know, even the Dutch among us. If you have taken the time to visit my O19 build log or remember me showing the "blood vlag" of the O19, the O16 also had a "blood vlag." The real and original blood vlag of the O19 is on display on the USS Cod, which is moored in Cleveland, Ohio.
So, what is this "blood vlag" anyhow? The tradition goes back to the 17th Century Dutch fleet. It was traditionally a red flag with an arm holding a sword. It meant as a sign to the other ships that he is attacking and to follow.
This tradition has been abandoned by the surface fleet but not the submarine service. All boats have their own blood vlag or blood flag in English.
 
I like to show a replica of the O16 blood vlag and also a few pics with one on a painting.
Enjoy.
 
Replica of the O16 blood vlag

 
17th Century blood vlag

Blood vlag on a Dutch ship during the battle near Elseneur in the Sont between the Dutch and Swedish fleet, 8 November, 1658. Painting by Peter de Velde.

 

Thank yo Anton and Ken for your response and kind words.
 
Yes, Anton I remember your comments about your uncle Carel van Groeneveld who served on the K XVIII. I don't know whether I send you a photo of the crew and few pics with the K XVIII at sea. I like to do so here and if you already these then let this serve as a memorial to the folks here.
 
Hi Ken, welcome. Yes, Cox goes into a lot of detail, more so then any other historian. I have a draft from his book before it was published and a good section was left out of his final published book, which I have. In that missing section my father was mentioned by a survivor. No problem for me at this time, I know he didn't survive but his name lives on with me. When I am going to build the Java model I'll have lot more to tell.
 
The crew of the K XVIII, time unknown.

 
Hr. Ms. K XVIII approaching Soerabaja Naval base of the KM (Royal Navy, Netherlands)

 
Hr. Ms. K XVIII at sea.

Cheers,

Thank you Christian and JesseLee for your very kind words.
I did plan to post  the history of the O16 at the very start of this build log but did not have enough data until I stumbled on a very narrative. I edited it for punctuation and removed a few duplicate items. With your indulgent I want to share her story with you and hope to make this small build of her model a little more meaningful.
 
In this article you'll also read about her companion the Hr. Ms. K XVII. You may be wondering why the Dutch submarine navy would have two different classifications. The O designation was for boats in domestic and Atlantic waters. The K designation was for boats used in the Dutch East Indies colonies. In the Dutch language colony is spelled Kolonie, therefore the K. These boats had a much larger range and carried more fuel then compared with then O boats. However, this all changed beginning with the O16 and O19.
 
Here is a photo of the K XVII

 
The following is a Coogle map chart of the estimated mine fields discussed in the article

The history of the Submarine O16
28 Dec 1933: The keel of the O 16 is laid down at the Koninklijke.Maatdchappij. De Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen.
A new steel alloy was employed that was stronger and more ductile. It allowed for the first time to employ welding. This new technique also allowed the replacement of 49% of all riveting.
27 Jan 1936: O 16 is launched.
26 Oct 1936: O 16 is commissioned to the Royal Netherlands Navy.
11 Jan - 6 Apr 1937: O 16 makes a voyage to North America by way of a route via Horta, Bermuda, Norfolk and Washington during which Prof. Dr. F.A. Vening Meinesz, B.Sc. conducts gravity measurements. The O 16 returns via the Azores and Lisbon. The gravity measurements had to be broken off Professor Meinesz was put ashore at Lisbon and the O 16 was send to Gibraltar for convoy duties during the Spanish Civil War.
1939 - The O 16 leaves the Netherlands for the Dutch East Indies (now the Republic of Indonesia) under command of Luitenant ter Zee der 2de klasse (Commander) Louie Jan Jarman, attached to the submarine division in the Dutch East Indies. She arrived at the Royal Navy base in Soerabja on 4 January, 1940.
1940 - - 4 Jan 1940: O 16 collides with the destroyer escort Hr. Ms. Witte de With. No damage for the O 16 is documented, but the Witte de With has a damaged screw.
10 May 1940: Germany attacks the Netherlands.  The O16 together with the KXVII performed escort service between The East Indies and South Africa. 
15 Sep 1940: KXVII and O 16 depart from Tandjong Priok (Batavia/Jakarta). K XVII escorts the merchant SS Lematang, heading for Durban (South Africa), and O 16 escorts the tanker Olivia, which is heading for Lourenço Marques (Mozambique). The merchants are escorted because there are reports of a German raider operating in the area.
20 September, 1941 the O16 is under command of Luitenant ter Zee der 1ste klasse (Lieutenant Commander) Antonie Jacob Bussemaker
In November of 1941 both the O16 and KXVII were made available to the British Royal Navy to assist then in case of a Japanese attack on Malakka and Singapore.  Both boats departed Soerabaja on 15 November, 1941 for Singapore.
28 Nov 1941: KXVII and O 16 are ordered to Sambas (north-west Borneo). The boats are expected to arrive in the area on the 6th of December.
29 Nov 1941: KXVII and O 16 are ordered (#2 1129-0535) to 04º00N-104º30E (off Malacca) for a possible unexpected action. They are expected to remain unseen and proceed with a speed of 12 knots.
1 Dec 1941: All of the Dutch submarines of the of the 1st division were placed under direct British command for operational control and ordered to Singapore where they arrived early December of 1941.
6 Dec - 15 Dec 1941: KXVII and O 16 are ordered to patrol the South China Sea. Patrol area 7º30N-103ºE / 8ºN-103ºE. Several attacks are made.
7 Dec 1941: The USA declares war on Japan after Japanese forces attack Pearl Harbor. Approximately 7 hours after the attack the Netherlands also declares war on Japan.
7 Dec 1941: The CZM radios (#109 1207-2215) that "War with Japan has broken out".
8 Dec 1941 Two ALMR [(Alle Marine Radiostations) All Naval Radio Stations)] messages (#126 1208-533 and #127 1208-535) report details on enemy forces in the Gulf of Siam and off Kota Bharu.
8 Dec 1941: O 16 attacks the Japanese invasion forces that are invading Northeast Malaya.
9 Dec 1941:  C-in-C Eastern Fleet orders (#154 1413 9 Dec'41) Submarine Divisions and (O 16, K XVII, K XI, K XIII, K XII) to form a line N180ºE, distance between the submarines should be 20 miles. O 16 should be 40 miles South of the Poeloe Obi Light at 08º26'N-104º50'E. At Dec 10 at 23:30 MTG, but not sooner, the boats have to sail a general course of N260ºE between Kota Bharu, Malacca and Singora, Thailand. This is due to a large number of transports was spotted off the coast 05º30'N and 07º30'N (#156 1209-2045).
10 Dec 1941: O 16 damages the Japanese troopship Ayatosan Maru (9788 t) or Sakura Maru (7170 t). See also 12 Dec 1941.
12 Dec 1941: At midnight (not confirmed) the O 16 attacks several Japanese ships in the Bay of Soengei Patani (east coast of Malaya, and only 9m deep). The ships are torpedoed while the submarine is surfaced.
O 16 sinks the Japanese troopship Tosan Maru  (8666 t). Some source report the troopship as Tozan Maru, which is incorrect. One Japanese source reports the ship is attacked while at anchor, is grounded to prevent sinking, and is salvaged later. Tosan Maru was towed to Hong Kong in April 1942.
The Japanese Tosan Maru (Photo: © Collection Hasashi Noma)

O 16 sinks the Japanese troopship Asosan Maru (8812 t). One Japanese source reports the ship is attacked while at anchor, is grounded to prevent sinking, and is salvaged later.
O 16 sinks the Japanese troopship Kinka Maru (9306 t). One French source report the ships name as the 4980 t Kinkasan Maru. One Japanese source reports the ship is attacked while at anchor, is grounded to prevent sinking, and is salvaged later.
An unsuccessful attack by O 16 on Sakura Maru (7170t) is also reported. John Aldens book 'US Submarine attacks during WWII including Allied submarine attacks in the pacific theatre' reports that the attack on Sakura Maru is probably the same attacks as the attack on the Kinka Maru.
O 16 damages the Japanese troopship Ayatosan Maru (9788 t) or Ayata Maru. See also 10 Dec 1941.
Due to a serious shortage of ships later during the war, the vessels Tozan Maru, Asosan Maru, and Kinka Maru which were all sunk in shallow waters, where salvaged and recommissioned under their own name. Tozan Maru for example was towed to Hong Kong in April 1942.
According to several sources, including John Aldens book 'US Submarine attacks during WWII including Allied submarine attacks in the pacific theatre' 2nd edition, KXII torpedoes and sinks or damages the Japanese freighter ms Toro Maru (1939t) on the 12th of December 1941. Position: Off Kota Bharu, 06°N-102°20'E (or 06°08'N-102°16'E according to other sources). But he also quotes sources that credit O 16 with this attack. Dutch sources do not credit either of these subs with the sinking of ms Toro Maru.
The Japanese Toro Maru (Photo: © Collection Hasashi Noma)

 
13 Dec 1941: The O 16, with only one torpedo remaining, returns to Singapore.
13 Dec 1941: : C-in-C Eastern Fleet reports (#283 1213-0741) 100 transport vessels have been spotted off the Indochina coast at 12:13 in the morning.
13 Dec 1941: C-in-C Eastern Fleet orders (#290 0620/13 Dec. 41) K XVII, K XI, K XII and O 16) to proceed to Singapore at best speed. He also reports that large convoys are spotted sailing SSW from approximately 011N-109E p.m. 12 Dec or a.m. 13 Dec.
13 Dec 1941: C-in-C Eastern Fleet orders (#312 ) O 16 to return to Singapore East Sanctuary during daylight of 16 or 17 December. Staying submarines are to take positions at best speed between Anambas and the Malaya shore, on a line of bearing 310º from Mangkai light, 20 miles apart in the sequence K XII, K XIII, K XI, K XVII. K XII is to be 20 miles from Mangkai light.
14 Dec 1941: C-in-C orders/reports (#340 0821/ 14 Dec. 41) that a force of 2 battle ships and 6 cruisers was reported in position 7º32'N-106º18'E at 0654z 14 December. O 19 and O 20 are to endeavor to gain on a position covering the advancing enemy, should they pass between position assigned to K XVII and the shore.
15 Dec 1941 about 02:30 hrs: O 16 is struck by a mine while she is exiting the Gulf of Siam during her homebound voyage to Singapore. The submarine is nearly broken in half and 41 men are lost. Only one crewmember, boatswain Cornelis de Wolf, survives. Actually there were five crew who were thrown overboard by the blast and tried to stay together and swim to a nearby island. However, only boatswain de Wolf made it. O 16 sailed right into a Japanese line of mines, this line of mines also sunk the submarine K XVII. Because the wreck of the O 16 is regarded as a war grave the exact coordinates of the wreck will not be displayed on this site.  
Oct 1995: A wreck, located off Tioman and reported years before by fisherman, is identified as the Dutch submarine O 16. Approximate position of the wreck is 3º10'N-104º19'E.
1998
18 Aug 1998, from "The Strait Times", by Chang Ai-Lien: Dive expedition to film W.W.II submarines:
A Singapore team will film two sunken Dutch submarines (O 16 and K XVII) on the Pulau Tioman seabed and offer the footage to the Singapore History Museum.
A Singapore dive expedition is preparing to film and document two Dutch submarines lying on the seabed off Pulau Tioman in Malaysia. The O 16 and K XVII, relics of World War II, are the watery tombs of about 70 officers and crew who drowned when the submarines were sunk in the South China Sea by Japanese mines. Both submarines were based in Singapore under the British eastern fleet command when they were sunk in December, 1941.
The O 16, which was responsible for sinking several Japanese ships, was struck by Japanese mines as she exited the Gulf of Siam.
The K XVII hit the same line of mines about a week later, after an unsuccessful attack on a Japanese submarine. Of the 75 people on board the two craft, only one man survived, boatswain C. de Wolf was the only survivor of the O 16)
Expedition leader Michael Lim, 32, director of Technical Diving International, told reporters on a training barge off Tuas yesterday: "No one is certain what we will find in the submarines. "If they have been air-locked, then we really will not know what to expect." The submarines could still be completely sealed or air locked.
The group of 18 highly trained technical divers will begin their four-day expedition on Thursday. They will dive to depths of about 60 m. Recreational divers can dive only to depths of 40 m. The expedition divers will use time-tested methods, as well as the newest gadgets, to ensure their safety. For example, they will unravel lines as they dive so that they do not lose their way if it gets very dark or murky. They will also be talking to people on the boat via an underwater transmitter set, and using up-to-date dive software, which will calculate the best mix of gases to place in the tanks and how fit the divers are to dive. Mr. Lim, who was also responsible for a recent salvage operation on the Empress of Asia which was sunk by Japanese bombers in 1942, said that the film footage will be offered to the Singapore History Museum.
The $35,000 expedition is sponsored by Unilever Singapore, which markets Brut Actif Blue, a men's fragrance. Mr. Ignatius Francis Danakody, 21, is one of two men selected to enter the submarines because of his small build. Heavier men would not be able to squeeze into the submarine's hull. The salvage officer with Singapore Salvage Engineers, who started diving when he was 10, is a veteran with more than 1,000 dives under his belt. Mr. Danakody weighs 58 kg and his equipment, which includes a video camera and double tanks, weighs almost as much as he does. He said: "At that depth, everything is so different. Your movements are slower and you even think slower."
For comparison one should also read the Aug 19 and 21 article.
19 Aug 1998, from "De Telegraaf" (a Dutch Newspaper): Divers locate two Dutch W.W.II submarines:
“A team of divers from Singapore located the Dutch Submarines K XVII and O 16 in the South China Sea at a depth of 60 meters. The wrecks of the two submarines were found East of Malaysia, off Tioman, by divers of Technical Diving International (TDI). The search for the submarines is financially supported by the Dutch multinational Unilever. The diving team will return to the wreck sites during the next five days in order to photograph and video the area. Since the wrecks are war graves the divers will not touch the wrecks or bring pieces up to the surface.”
Reading this article one could get the impression the submarines were discovered in 1998, but the K XVII was located in 1982 and the O 16 in 1995. For comparison one should also read the Aug 18 and 21 article.
21 Aug 1998, by RTL5 TV: War grave film footage (not) used for commercial:
“Today the Dutch press reported that the film footage made of the submarines O 16 and K XVII (see Aug 18 and 19) was going to be used in a commercial for the men's fragrance Brut Actif Blue from Unilever. Since the two submarines are still war graves this resulted in a lot of negative response from the Dutch. Unilever stated that because of all this negative publicity the footage will not be used for the commercial anymore.”
As for K XVII all that could be learned was that her skipper, Ltz. I  H.C. Besançon, had exchanged messages with K XII during a brief encounter on 14 December. Thereafter there was only silence. Although Ltz. I  Coumou had later noted an oil slick and some floating pieces of teak decking, these could have come from the British warship sunk a few days earlier. Possibly K XVII too had blundered into the same mined area that claimed O 16, but for lack of evidence her loss was put down to an unknown cause.
An official Dutch reassessment shortly after the war reaffirmed the original conclusions. There the matter stood, cases considered closed.
Cornelis de Wolf, after serving his country's submarine force for the rest of the war, retired from the navy and died in 1983. Unaware that the scenario based on his remarkable escape from death at sea was flawed. Given the duration of his swim, his sightings of distant peaks, the strength of the ocean current, and the known place where he landed, O 16 could not possibly have been far enough south to have run into the British minefield. (Piet van Warmerdam’s Note: Lieutenant Commander Bussemaker was accused of blundering into a known British minefield and held responsible for the death of his crew. This part of the story is showing the effort put forth to exonerate Lieutenant Commander Bussemaker.)
Later, new information surfaced from the shambles of Japanese naval records and suggested a somewhat different conclusion. By 1956 the British had found and published the information that on the night of 6-7 December the Japanese had planted a previously unknown mine line east of Tioman Island.4 Of two auxiliary minelayers (requisitioned merchant ships) sent to do the stealthy job, one had turned back immediately after being discovered by enemy reconnaissance planes, but TATSUMIYA MARU had laid a string of 456 lethal eggs across the route later taken by the Dutch submarines. Although the Dutch naval authorities, having other problems on their minds, did not reopen the official case, the British and many students of World War II submarine operations now felt that the Dutch skippers were exonerated from the charge of having blundered into a friendly minefield. Years later however, historians were still repeating the old assessment.
Unexpectedly, the case of K XVII was reopened in 1980 as the result of a sensational Dutch television program on which a man with his face masked claimed to have engineered the sinking of a Dutch submarine in the Pacific Ocean on orders from Winston Churchill. The boat, he said, had discovered the Japanese fleet on its way to Hawaii, but Churchill had suppressed the information to ensure that a successful Japanese attack would force America's entry into the war. To hush up this traitorous act, the submarine and its crew had to be eliminated. This bizarre rehash of a discredited conspiracy theory was apparently perpetrated by a man calling himself Christopher Creighton, whose fantastic claims were used as the basis for a novel by Brian Garfield and later enlarged in a book by Creighton himself7. (check out the K XVII and the Japanese "Pearl Harbour Fleet" message on the Dutch Sub-Board for more info on Creighton/Garfield and their books) In the course of the TV program, the interrogator asked whether the submarine in question might have been the missing K XVII, although the sabotage was alleged to have taken place near the Fiji Islands. This ridiculous speculation and ensuing publicity provoked Hans C. Besançon, Jr., the son of the lost boat's commander and himself a retired officer of the Royal Netherlands navy, to undertake a crusade to find his father's resting place and disprove the grotesque fabrications of his detractors.
 

Although the naval authorities declined to provide financial backing for Besançon, they were able to offer some useful information. In 1981 a treasure diver from Singapore, Michael Hatcher, reported having located a sunken Dutch submarine in the South China Sea. Wrecks in the area had become well known to local fisherman who were attracted by the abundant marine life around the sunken ships, only to have their nets snagged on underwater obstructions. Pursuing this lead, Besançon contacted Hatcher and in May 1982 they moored over the wreck and sent divers down. The divers reported that the submarine had sunk deeply into the mud bottom, but they were able to recover the steering wheel from the exposed bridge. When its serial number was checked against naval records, the boat was positively identified as K XVII.
Yet there was still a mystery: the wreck lay well north of the reported location of the Japanese mine line.  The missing pieces of the puzzle were provided nine years later by researchers in the Netherlands and Japan. Records disclosed that a Dutch flying boat had sighted TATSUMIYA MARU on 6 December and caused her to turn back prematurely. Before reversing course, however, she had laid her mines about 18 miles north of the assigned position. The remains of K XVII lay exactly within the relocated minefield north of Tioman.
Besançon's quest and its findings had attracted considerable public attention, so when a Swedish diver, Sten Sjöstrand, reported finding another sunken submarine in 1995 that he suspected to be Dutch, the naval authorities were interested. Initiating a search for family members of the men lost on O 16, they organized an expedition to examine the wreck.
This time Besançon was joined by his fellow retired naval officers, H.O. and A.P. Bussemaker, sons of the boat's lost commander. The Dutch group also included an official naval observer, Ltz 1 J.M. van Zee, and two journalists. The Navy also contributed funds, photographic and video equipment, charts of the area, and blueprints and identification photos of the submarine. The hulk was quickly located at a depth of 53 meters (about 75 feet) some nine miles east of K XVII in the same Japanese mine line, draped in fish nets and with a gaping hole forward of the bridge. Details of the boat's layout confirmed it to be O 16, and the divers removed the steering wheel and some other fittings for retention as official evidence and historical mementos.

The brothers Bussemaker then dropped a memorial wreath on the wreck and van Zee offered a brief prayer on behalf of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The case of the two lost submarines was finally closed (video1/2/3).
Footnote 1: This article is base largely on the book Hr.Ms. K XVII en Hr.Ms. O 16. by Dr. P.C. van Royen et al of the Instituut voor Maritime Historie, 's-Gravenhage.
Footnote 2: Japanese records confirm that the O 16 sank three ships in shallow water at Patani: Tosan Maru (8666 T), Kinka (or Kinkasan) Maru (9306 T), and Asosan Maru (8811 T). All were salvaged and sunk later during the war.  Dutch sources have also claimed Sakura Maru (7170 T) and Ayata (or Ayatosan) Maru (9788 T) for O 16, but Japanese sources say these ships were only damaged by aircraft at Kota Bharu. Japanese and Allied records for that period are extremely sketchy and often inconsistent, leaving some doubt as to the actual events.
Footnote 3: K XII is credited with sinking Toro Maru (1939 T) although some sources assign that ship to O 16. The British claim that Taizan (or Taisan) Maru (3525 T) was also sunk at Kota Bharu by K XII (one writer credits K XIII), but Japanese records fail to confirm any damage there.
Footnote 4: Naval Staff History Second World War, Submarines, Vol. 3, Operations in Far Eastern Waters. London: Historical Section, Admiralty, 1956.
Footnote 5: Van Royen identifies the second minelayer as the CHOSE MARU, but that ship is not listed in "Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945" by Jentschura, Jung, & Mickel, a standard reference.
Footnote 6: Dull, Paul S. "A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy (1941-1945). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1978 (third printing 1982).
Footnote 7: Garfield, Brian in collaboration with "Christopher Creighton", "The Paladin: A novel based on fact". New York: Simon & Schuster, ca 1980. Van Royen identifies the other book as: Creighton, Christopher.  "Operatie JB: Het laatste grote geheim van WOII". London/Amsterdam, 1996.
Pictures: All pictures are added to the article by the webmaster.
From: The Submarine Review, Jan 1999.
By CDR John D. Alden, USN (Ret). Webmaster remarks to footnote 5: According to a JMSDF source (letter from 1981)  only 1 vessel laid the line of mines. In the British Naval Staff History it is written that Chose Maru and Tatsumiya Maru where ordered to lay mines East of Malaya. But Chose Maru turned back when the ships were spotted and shadowed by British aircraft on the morning of 6 Dec. Tatsumiya Maru went on and laid a minefield off Pulo Tioman, off the coast Johore. Van Royen writes that Tatsumiya Maru was disturbed once again (this time by a Dutch plane) and therefore laid her mines 30 miles more North (where the Dutch subs where hit by mines).  Chose Maru is probably a typo. It is almost sure the correct name is Chosa Maru, this boat was eventually sunk by the O 24 on 20 Aug 1943.
Source: http://www.dutchsubmarines.com/specials/special_lost_submarines.htm
 
Final note by Piet van Warmerdam: I have edited this article by removing a few duplicate entries, spelling and punctuation errors. The original can still be read by copying and pasting the above URL into your web browser. This is for me highly emotional because of my indirect involvement through my father having been involved. I have heard him talk about it on several occasions when he came home between patrols. He knew these men. My father was transferred to the Cruiser Hr. Ms. Java on January 1941 from the submarine O19 because of his promotion to Adjudant. 
 
Cheers,
 

Another small update on the O16. Before tackling the railing on the con I wanted to finely cement the deck torpedo launcher doors to the hull. Instead of closing the launcher area off on both sides I cemented one closed and cemented the other door laying down so we can peek inside and see the launcher. I relity they fold down inboard to lay against stops on top of the pressure hull.
This was actually done in to time so I decided to complete the display board. I cut a piece of boxwood to 1/16 inch thick by 9 1/4 by 1 1/8 inch to cover my poplar base piece nicely. Glued and clamped it to set to cure overnight.
In the meantime I cut two 1/8 inch pins of bamboo to place the model on. Originally I thought to turn two mooring bollards to set the model on and actually started to make one on my Unimat lathe but on a visit to Hobby Lobby and browsing along the isles I found some really nice brass beads that would fit. Well, okay, not quite mooring bollards but it saved me a lot of time.
 
Today was a rainy day with T-storms, thus ideal to spend some time on the display board. I cleaned a little excess glue off, sanded it down and applied a coat of warm satin Colonial maple stain. Rubbed it in real good and applied a second coat on it and repeated step, let it dry.
I drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the bottom of the sub and when the stain dry enough to handle I also drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the display board at the appropriate places.  Glued the pins in, put the brass beads on and placed the O16 on it. I'm really happy with the way it looks.
 
If youns don't mind I like to add e few pics of the O16's interior as well.
 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the closed position, port side.

 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the open position, starboard side.

 
1/16 inch boxwood plank glued and clamped.

 
The finished display board.

 
Bamboo mounting pins installed with the brass beads on them.

 
The O16 temporarily placed on the board with the con also temporarily placed on her.

 
Forward torpedo room.

 
 
Crew quarters.

 
Officer's quarters.

 
Central control room on port side. This is located below the bridge inside the main hull.

 
Engine room.

Aft torpedo room with galley.

Enjoy.
 
Cheers,
 
 

Thanks Piet!

Thank you John,
that explains nicely the pointing of the rudder blades (steering oar in the dark, etc...)
 
Nils

Thanks very much for your kind comment John,
 
Nils

Sorry for the delay in replying, Nils - I've been having internet connection problems!
 
I was always usual to stow the steering oar with the blade pointing aft as it was then a quick move to pick it up and fit it over the stern as the boat was launched.  The rowing oars were therefore stowed with their blades forward so that they wouldn't be confused with the steering oar in the dark.  Even when lifeboats were fitted with a rudder and tiller, they still carried the steering oar.
 
John

Another small update on the O16. Before tackling the railing on the con I wanted to finely cement the deck torpedo launcher doors to the hull. Instead of closing the launcher area off on both sides I cemented one closed and cemented the other door laying down so we can peek inside and see the launcher. I relity they fold down inboard to lay against stops on top of the pressure hull.
This was actually done in to time so I decided to complete the display board. I cut a piece of boxwood to 1/16 inch thick by 9 1/4 by 1 1/8 inch to cover my poplar base piece nicely. Glued and clamped it to set to cure overnight.
In the meantime I cut two 1/8 inch pins of bamboo to place the model on. Originally I thought to turn two mooring bollards to set the model on and actually started to make one on my Unimat lathe but on a visit to Hobby Lobby and browsing along the isles I found some really nice brass beads that would fit. Well, okay, not quite mooring bollards but it saved me a lot of time.
 
Today was a rainy day with T-storms, thus ideal to spend some time on the display board. I cleaned a little excess glue off, sanded it down and applied a coat of warm satin Colonial maple stain. Rubbed it in real good and applied a second coat on it and repeated step, let it dry.
I drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the bottom of the sub and when the stain dry enough to handle I also drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the display board at the appropriate places.  Glued the pins in, put the brass beads on and placed the O16 on it. I'm really happy with the way it looks.
 
If youns don't mind I like to add e few pics of the O16's interior as well.
 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the closed position, port side.

 
Deck torpedo launcher door installed in the open position, starboard side.

 
1/16 inch boxwood plank glued and clamped.

 
The finished display board.

 
Bamboo mounting pins installed with the brass beads on them.

 
The O16 temporarily placed on the board with the con also temporarily placed on her.

 
Forward torpedo room.

 
 
Crew quarters.

 
Officer's quarters.

 
Central control room on port side. This is located below the bridge inside the main hull.

 
Engine room.

Aft torpedo room with galley.

Enjoy.
 
Cheers,
 
 

Well friends, today I'll have a little update - - - finally. As shown in a previous post that I have started work on the "sail" or the conning tower and have added a few items to it. It may not seem like a lot but understand that I have many other non model building projects to do. 
What's shown in this update actually took place over a few days.
 
Okay, so I cemented the 6 doors to the sides of the lower part of the con and the handholds to the same sides as well as to the "bath tub" aka the bridge. As the CA was curing I also prepped both of the 40 mm AA guns but decided to wait with cementing them on till the railings were put on. I figure it is easier to put the railings on first, that way I have some maneuvering room. 
 
And in trying to remove one of the guns from it's mold base using a jeweler's saw, my holding hand slipped and knocked the barrel off. Rats - - grumble, grumble. Quickly with a pair of tweezers and a tiny drop of CA I managed to cement it back on. Hmmm, error numero duo but after carefully cleaning the excess cement off it should look acceptable, especially when painted.
 
Here are a few pics.
 
This shows the sail / con with the pertinent parts to be attached. That funky green strip on the bottom of then pic is a sanding stick I picked up at Hobby Lobby. It has a fine and a course side to it and is flexible. It worked really great. The nail clipper and tweezers are the other tools I used.

 
Here, on the starboard side, most of the handholds and doors have been cemented on. The one for the periscope tube housing is still to go on yet. The extra CA cement will be removed by scraping with a #11 blade and finished with that sanding stick.

 
Here is the port side.

 
The con seen from the top.

 
 
This is that poor little 40 mm AA gun with its broken off barrel.

 
Both AA guns side by side. The one on the right is the repaired one, ready to be dressed.

 
Here is one of tine two AA guns on the tip of my finger indicating its small size. Not in PE but resin.

 
This is it for now. Next will be the hand railings on the forward and rear parts of the con and cementing the two AA guns in place.
 
Cheers,
 
 

Okay folks a little trivia. This may be something not many people know, even the Dutch among us. If you have taken the time to visit my O19 build log or remember me showing the "blood vlag" of the O19, the O16 also had a "blood vlag." The real and original blood vlag of the O19 is on display on the USS Cod, which is moored in Cleveland, Ohio.
So, what is this "blood vlag" anyhow? The tradition goes back to the 17th Century Dutch fleet. It was traditionally a red flag with an arm holding a sword. It meant as a sign to the other ships that he is attacking and to follow.
This tradition has been abandoned by the surface fleet but not the submarine service. All boats have their own blood vlag or blood flag in English.
 
I like to show a replica of the O16 blood vlag and also a few pics with one on a painting.
Enjoy.
 
Replica of the O16 blood vlag

 
17th Century blood vlag

Blood vlag on a Dutch ship during the battle near Elseneur in the Sont between the Dutch and Swedish fleet, 8 November, 1658. Painting by Peter de Velde.

 

Thank yo Anton and Ken for your response and kind words.
 
Yes, Anton I remember your comments about your uncle Carel van Groeneveld who served on the K XVIII. I don't know whether I send you a photo of the crew and few pics with the K XVIII at sea. I like to do so here and if you already these then let this serve as a memorial to the folks here.
 
Hi Ken, welcome. Yes, Cox goes into a lot of detail, more so then any other historian. I have a draft from his book before it was published and a good section was left out of his final published book, which I have. In that missing section my father was mentioned by a survivor. No problem for me at this time, I know he didn't survive but his name lives on with me. When I am going to build the Java model I'll have lot more to tell.
 
The crew of the K XVIII, time unknown.

 
Hr. Ms. K XVIII approaching Soerabaja Naval base of the KM (Royal Navy, Netherlands)

 
Hr. Ms. K XVIII at sea.

Cheers,

Steady hands, steady fingers, Mr Bunny. Very impressive array of crisp AA guns!

when I went to hobby lobby the other week,  I saw all three kits there.   I was tempted to pick up the Capt. Kidd.   looking at them.....I thought I detected various differences with them.  perhaps the next time I go,  I'll pick it up to see.   I didn't see any wooden kits there.....too bad    I was drawn to a B 24 Libby though.......nice large scale kit.   but that's a plane though....he..he    there's a lot of factors for defects.......molds getting too old......storage issues of the kits before and after reaching the shelves.  poor plastic batch mix ranks in there as well.
 
making a little progress with her today.......I'm either reading or building........I'm getting dizzy!  

She's coming along nicely. I worked on Lindberg's Cap'n Kidd pirate ship and I almost threw it at the wall to end my misery on three different occasions. The bow of the ship was so badly warped, I just hacked it off in order to move on. So many of the parts had a terrible fit, especially the aft end. Ton's o putty! They'ed be great little kits if they could improve on the molds.

Yeah Denis, I remember reading about the difficulties of this kit. That was a few years ago and if I remember it was supposed to be based on the Wappen, which was build by a Dutch shipwright. It'll be quite some time before I can tackle it.  Too many ships I want to still build.
It should be an attractive model when finished.
 
Cheers,

Yeah Denis, I remember reading about the difficulties of this kit. That was a few years ago and if I remember it was supposed to be based on the Wappen, which was build by a Dutch shipwright. It'll be quite some time before I can tackle it.  Too many ships I want to still build.
It should be an attractive model when finished.
 
Cheers,