German Flakschiff: Ariadne

HNLMS Hertog Hendrik began life as a Koningin Regentes-class coastal defence battleship of the Royal Netherlands Navy. She entered service in 1904, and had an active career representing the Netherlands across the world. When the Second World War broke out she was serving as the floating battery ship Batterijschip Vliereede off Vlieland. At the time of the German invasion in 1940, she was awaiting scrapping.

When built, her characteristics were:

• Displacement: 5,002 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 317’ (96.22m)
• Beam: 49’ 10” (15.19m)
• Draught: 19’ 11” (5.82m)
• Speed: 16.5 knots
• Propulsion: 2 shafts powered by two reciprocating engines
• Armour: Belt: 6” (150mm); Turrets and Barbettes: 10” (250mm)
• Armament: 2 × 9.4” (240mm) guns (2 x 1); 4 x 5.9” (150mm) guns (4 x 1); 8 x 2.9” (75mm) guns (8 x 1); 4 x 1 pdr QF guns (4 x 1); 3 x 18” (450mm) Torpedo Tubes
• Complement: 340

A silhouette of HNLMS Hertog Hendrik.

HNLMS Hertog Hendrik.

She was captured by the German in 1940, renamed Ariadne, and converted into a floating anti-aircraft battery. When converted into a flakschiff, Ariadne carried:

• 6 x 4.1” (10.5cm) SK C/32 gun (10 x 1)
• 4 x 37mm guns (2 x 2)
• 16 x 20mm guns (4 x 4)

A silhouette of KMS Ariadne.

KMS Ariadne.

KMS Ariadne.

After the war she was renamed Hertog Hendrik and was used as an accommodation ship. She was finally decommissioned and sold for scrapping in 1969.