View source for Java-class cruiser

{{Short description|Class of light cruisers of the Royal Netherlands Navy}}
{{good article}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:Java cruiser SLV H91.325 284.jpg
| Ship caption = ''Java'' soon after her comissioning, evident with her tall, slender, masts
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = ''Java'' class
| Builders = *[[Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding|Koninklijke Maatschappij de Schelde]], [[Vlissingen|Flushing]]
* [[Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij]], [[Amsterdam]]
* [[Wilton-Fijenoord]], [[Schiedam]] (planned)
| Operators = {{naval|Netherlands}}
| Class before = 
| Class after = *{{HNLMS|De Ruyter|1935|2}}
| Subclasses = 
| Built range = 1916–1926
| In commission range = 1925–1944
| Total ships planned = 3
| Total ships completed = 2
| Total ships cancelled = 1
| Total ships active = 
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 2
| Total ships retired = 
| Total ships preserved = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = as built
| Ship type = [[Light cruiser]]
| Ship displacement = *{{cvt|6776|t|LT|lk=on}} standard
* {{cvt|8339|t|LT}} full load
| Ship length = {{convert|155.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|oa]]
| Ship beam = {{convert|16|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught = {{convert|6.1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = *3 steam turbines
*3 propellers
| Ship speed = {{convert|31|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range = {{convert|3600|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|12|kn|abbr=on}}
| Ship complement = 525
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = *10 × {{cvt|15.0|cm|in|1}} guns
* 8 (''Java'') or 6 (''Sumatra'') × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors 40&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft guns]]
* 8 × {{convert|.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} [[machine gun]]s
| Ship armour = *{{convert|7.5|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[armored belt|belt]]
* {{cvt|2.5|to|5|cm|in|abbr=on}} deck
* {{convert|12.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} [[conning tower]]
* {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on}} [[gun shield|shields]]
| Ship aircraft = 2 × [[floatplane]]s
| Ship aircraft facilities = 
| Ship notes = 
| Ship power = 8 [[boilers]]
{{convert|73000|shp|abbr=on}} (''Java'')
{{convert|82000|shp|abbr=on}} (''Sumatra'')
}}
|}

The '''''Java'' class''' was a series of [[light cruiser]]s operated by the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] during the [[Interwar period]] and World War II. Designed to defend the [[Dutch East Indies]] against the [[Empire of Japan]], the cruisers were designed in 1916 to be the best in the world. However, a series of issues due to [[World War I]], supply chain issues, [[Strike action|worker strikes]], instability in Germany, and a change in national policy delayed the ships for more than a decade. Of the three ships planned, one was canceled during a construction pause. 

By the time the remaining two ships were launched in the mid 1920s, their design was outdated and little work was done to address the issue. Both ships saw action during [[World War II]]. {{HNLMS|Sumatra|1920|6}} was in the Netherlands when the country was [[German invasion of the Netherlands|invaded by Germany]] in 1940, and the cruiser fled to the United Kingdom. Under British control, she sailed around the world, was disarmed, and sunk as a [[Breakwater (structure)|breakwater]] off [[Normandy]]. {{HNLMS|Java|1921|6}} was in the East Indies when the [[Pacific War]] began in 1941, and joined [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] efforts in attempting to repulse several Japanese invasions. During the [[Battle of the Java Sea]], she was [[torpedo]]ed and promptly sunk. 

==Design==

=== Development ===
During the early 20th century, the primary purpose of the Royal Netherlands Navy was the protection of the oil-rich and economically vital Dutch East Indies. The largest threat was from the rapidly expanding [[Empire of Japan|Japanese Empire]] and its significantly larger and more powerful [[Imperial Japanese Navy|navy]]. Unable and unwilling to build a comparable force, the Netherlands focused on maintaining a small but high-quality fleet designed to delay any invasions until reinforcements from other European powers with similarly threatened colonies could arrive.{{sfn|Chesneau|1980|p=385}} In 1914, the Navy planned for a large expansion of its fleets, concerned about Japanese naval expansion and the need to maintain [[Netherlands in World War I|Dutch neutrality during World War I]]. One major aspect of the plan was the ''Java''-class cruiser, intended to outperform all comparable cruisers, especially those of Japan. The new Japanese [[Chikuma-class cruiser|''Chikuma''-class scout cruiser]]{{En dash}}with {{convert|5,000|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]], eight {{Convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} guns and a top speed of {{convert|26|kn|lk=in}}{{En dash}}was used as a template for what the new design needed to surpass.{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=5,6,8}}

The first two cruisers were ordered in 1915. However, Dutch [[naval architecture]] firms lacked experience with such ships. Instead, contracts for their design were offered to British and German companies. The contract was given to [[Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft|Germaniawerft]] who emphasized German technical assistance and German-made guns, [[Steam turbine|turbines]], and other equipment.{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=8}}

=== Characteristics ===
When the ships were designed in 1915, the Navy believed they were the most powerful and modern cruisers in the world. Armed with ten [[Bofors]]-built SK L/50 {{Convert|5.9|in|cm|abbr=on|order=flip}} [[caliber]] guns in single mounts{{En dash}}two on the bow, two on the stern, and three [[Broadside (naval)|broadside]] guns on either side{{En dash}}the ships were the most well-armed of their kind.{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=9-10}}{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=190}} Anti-air weaponry consisted of two {{Convert|7.5|cm|in|0|abbr=on|order=}} guns located below both masts, and four {{Convert|12.7|mm|in|abbr=on|order=}} [[Vickers machine gun|Vickers machine guns]].{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=10}} They had an [[overall length]] of {{convert|155.3|m|ftin}}, a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{cvt|16|m|ftin}}, a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|6.1|m|ft|0}}, displacement of {{convert|6776|t|LT|lk=on}} and were {{cvt|8339|t|LT}} at full load.{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=190}} 

As designed, the ships were powered by three turbines supplied by eight boilers that provided {{convert|73,000|shp|lk=on|abbr=off}} through three [[Propeller|propellers]] for a top speed of {{convert|32|kn|lk=off}}. Due to a bunkerage of 1,200 tons of oil, the ships had a cruising radius of {{convert|3600|nmi|lk=in}} at a cruising speed of {{convert|12|kn|lk=off}}. The waterline belt was {{Convert|7.5|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} thick for most of the ships' length, which tapered to {{Convert|5.0|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} towards the stern. The armored deck was {{Convert|2.5-5.0|cm|in|abbr=on}}, [[Funnel (ship)|funnel]] uptakes {{Convert|5.0|cm|in|0|abbr=on}}, [[Bulkhead (partition)|bulkheads]] {{Convert|60|mm|in|abbr=on}}, and the [[conning tower]] {{Convert|12.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} thick. The main guns were protected by [[gun shield]]s which were {{Convert|10.0|cm|in|abbr=on}} at the thickest.{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=10}}{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=190}}

''Celebes'', the third ship of the class, was intended to operate as the flagship of the East Indies Fleet and was about {{cvt|3|m|ftin}} longer and {{convert|155|t|LT|lk=off}} heavier than the rest of her class.{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=190}} After she was canceled, ''Celebes''{{'}} role of flagship was filled with the commissioning of {{HNLMS|De Ruyter|1935|2}} in 1936.{{sfn|van Oosten|1974|p=75,86}}

==Construction==
[[File:Kruiser_Hr.Ms._Sumatra_(1926-1942)_Oplegperiode_tijdens_WOII_in_Portsrmouth,_UK._Oefeningen_15_cm-_geschut_(2158_011547).jpg|thumb|The class' delays made the ships immediately outdated, most obvious in their relatively unprotected and underwhelming armament (image from ''Sumatra'').]]
Reliance on foreign expertise soon backfired as the German arms industry buckled and collapsed as a result of World War I and resulting [[Political violence in Germany (1918–1933)|political unrest throughout Germany]]. Construction stalled as materials were delayed and some parts never arrived at all. After the war, the Dutch government questioned the need to build new, expensive, warships. As a result, the newly-started ''Celebes'' was canceled and work on the other two ships was suspended. During the pause, the government explored alternative uses for the cruisers, including a proposal to convert them into [[English Channel]] [[Ferry|ferries]]. Ultimately, the Navy successfully argued that completing the ships would be more [[Cost-effectiveness analysis|cost-effective]] than abandoning them, and progress resumed in 1920. Both ships were [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] over the next year as parts were sourced from countries such as the United Kingdom and Sweden, although eight SK L/50 {{Convert|5.9|in|cm|abbr=on|order=flip}} guns were found in a [[Krupp]] warehouse and were incorporated.{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=9-10}} Construction was further delayed by a series of [[Strike action|strikes]], the newly introduced 8-hour work day, supply issues, and a fire that destroyed turbines intended for the future ''Sumatra''. New turbines for the cruiser were sourced, allowing her to produce {{cvt|82,000|shp}}.{{sfn|van Oosten|1974|p=73}}{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=10}}

The significant delays of her construction saw the ships outdated by the time she entered service, primarily regarding their armament. By 1922, the [[Washington Naval Treaty]] created a [[Heavy cruiser#Washington Treaty|new standard of cruiser]] equipped with {{Convert|203|mm|in|0|abbr=on|round=}} guns, which Japan heavily invested in. In addition, the single-barrel weapons protected only by gun-shields had already been replaced by enclosed, multi-gun turrets fed by independent [[Magazine (artillery)#Naval magazines|magazines]] in other navies.{{sfn|Cox|2014|p=138}}{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=10}}[[File:Awm 045393 HNLMS Java.jpg|thumb|''Java'' after her reconstruction, featuring thicker and shorter masts.]]

===Modifications===
Soon after the two ships entered service, they were fitted with two [[derrick]]s and two [[floatplane]]s. Initially, the ships were equipped with the [[Fairey III|Fairey S.III]], although it was fragile and replaced by the [[Fokker C.VII-W|Fokker C.VII-w]] in 1927, itself later replaced by the [[Fokker C.XI-W|Fokker C.XI-w]] in 1937.{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=190}}{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=10}} During the mid 1930s, the ships were refitted: the forward mast was rebuilt and shortened, and the anti-air weapons was expanded. ''Sumatra'' received three twin [[Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun|{{Convert|4|cm|in|abbr=on}} Bofors guns]], while ''Java'' had two.{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=190}}

== Ships ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Construction data{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=190}}
|-
! scope="col" | Name
!Builder
! scope="col" | Laid down
! scope="col" | Launched
! scope="col" | Commissioned
! scope="col" | Fate
|-
! scope="row" | {{HNLMS|Java|1921|2}}
|[[Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding|Koninklijke Maatschappij de Schelde]]
| 31 May 1916
| 9 August 1921
| 1 May 1925
| Sunk, 27 February 1942
|-
! scope="row" | {{HNLMS|Sumatra|1920|2}}
|[[Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij]]
| 15 July 1916
| 29 December 1920
| 26 May 1926
| Scuttled, 9 June 1944
|-
! scope="row" | ''Celebes''
|[[Wilton-Fijenoord]]
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|Cancelled, 1919
|}

==Service history==
===''Java''===
After she was commissioned, ''Java'' sailed to the East Indies and visited several cities throughout [[East Asia]] and [[Oceania]]. In 1937, she returned to Europe to escort convoys through the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] during the [[Spanish Civil War]] and underwent a refit in 1938. By 1939, she continued to escort convoys in Asia before she joined an [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] fleet and participated in several attempts to repulse [[Dutch East Indies campaign|Japanese invasions of the East Indies]]. After several failed attacks, the cruiser was [[torpedo]]ed and sunk while attempting to prevent the [[Battle of Java (1942)|invasion of Java]] during the [[Battle of the Java Sea]].{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=190-191}} Her outdated design proved fatal as she lacked modern protections and redundancies. She was struck by a Japanese torpedo on her stern, which caused her aft magazine to detonate. The resulting explosion ripped apart the ship, and she sank in about 15 minutes with most of her crew.{{sfn|Cox|2014|p=316-317}}

===''Sumatra''===
''Sumatra'' likewise operated with ''Java'' in the East Indies. Upon ''Java''{{'}}s return from her 1938 refit, ''Sumatra'' sailed to Europe where she also escorted convoys during the Spanish Civil War and served as a [[training ship]]. She was docked and awaited her own refit in May 1940 when [[Nazi Germany|Germany]] invaded the Netherlands. She then fled for the United Kingdom and was placed under the command of the [[Royal Navy|British Royal Navy]]. The next month, she sailed for Canada to evacuate members of the [[Monarchy of the Netherlands|Dutch Royal Family]] and later patrolled the [[Caribbean]] and [[Mid-Atlantic gap|mid-Atlantic]] for [[commerce raiding]]. Later that year, she returned to the East Indies, was retrofitted, and had her crew reassigned to other vessels. After war was declared against Japan, the cruiser fled Asia with only a portion of her crew and machinery online. She sailed around the world and arrived back to the United Kingdom. The Royal Navy viewed her as obsolete, and had her disarmed to replace worn-out weapons on other Dutch vessels and later had her sunk as a breakwater during the construction of an [[Mulberry harbours|artificial harbors]] after the [[Operation Overlord|Invasion of Normandy]].{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=191}}{{Sfn|Willigenburg|2010|p=16,24}}

==Citations==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Sources ==

* {{Cite book |last=Cox |first=Jeffrey |title=Rising Sun, Falling Skies: The Disastrous Java Sea Campaign of World War II |date=2014 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing Plc |isbn=978-1-4728-1060-1 |series=General Military |location=London}}
* {{cite book |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946 |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |year=1980 |isbn=0-85177-146-7 |editor-last=Chesneau |editor-first=Roger |location=Greenwich, UK}}

* {{Cite book |last=Noppen |first=Ryan K. |title=The Royal Netherlands Navy of World War II |date=18 August 2020 |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |isbn=978-1472841919 |edition=1st |series=New Vanguard}}

* {{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 |asin=B0007C1ABY}}

* {{Cite book |last=Whitley |first=Michael J. |title=Cruisers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |year=January 1, 1996 |isbn=978-1557501417 |edition=1st}}

* {{Cite book |last=Willigenburg |first=Henk van |title=Dutch Warships of World War ll |publisher=Lanasta |year=2010 |isbn=978-9086160815}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Anten |first=J. |title=Hr. Ms. Kruisers 'Java' En 'Sumatra' |last2=Klom |first2=H. |publisher=Asia Maior |year=2001 |isbn=9789074861182 |publication-date=2001 |language=nl |trans-title=Hr. Ms. Cruisers Java and Sumatra}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.netherlandsnavy.nl/Javacl.htm Netherlandsnavy] - Detailed breakdown of the class's equipment and ship histories
* [https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/archief/4.MST/invnr/%401~1.2~1.2.21~3234-3283~3277-3279~3278 Nationaal Archief] - Original blueprints for both ships and related equipment 

{{Java class light cruiser}}
{{Royal Netherlands Navy cruisers}}
{{WWII Dutch ships}}

[[Category:Cruiser classes]]
[[Category:Java-class cruisers| ]]