These ships were unusual as they were the first destroyers built without large calibre anti-ship torpedoes. Their primary role was anti-submarine warfare and convoy defence. The armament comprised two twin Bofors 120 mm guns which were capable of 45 rounds per minute. The mountings were automated and stabilsed with radar control. Anti-submarine weaponry consisted of two Bofors anti-submarine mortars.
The machinery was ordered before the war for the Gerard Callenburgh-class destroyers and hidden during the German occupation. The turbines were built by Werkspoor and four boilers were used. The ships had a unit machinery layout.
The superstructure was built of aluminum alloy in order to reduce weight and electric welding was used throughout.
The Netherlands navy considered replacing the after 120 mm turret with a guided missile system in the late 1950s but this project was cancelled.
| Holland class destroyer | |
|---|---|
| Operators: |  Royal Netherlands Navy Peruvian Navy |
| Succeeded by: | Friesland class destroyer |
| In commission: | 1954–1986 |
| Completed: | 4 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Destroyer |
| Displacement: | 2,150 long tons (2,185 t) standard 2,600 long tons (2,642 t) full load |
| Length: | 113.1 m (371 ft 1 in) |
| Beam: | 11.4 m (37 ft 5 in) |
| Draught: | 5.1 m (16 ft 9 in) |
| Propulsion: | 2 shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 45,000 hp (33,556 kW) |
| Speed: | 32 knots (37 mph; 59 km/h) |
| Range: | 4,000 nmi (7,400 km) at 18 kn (33 km/h) |
| Complement: | 247 |
| Armament: | • 4 × Bofors 120 mm guns (2×2) • 1 × 40 mm Bofors AA gun • 2 × quad 357 mm (14.1 in) anti-submarine mortars • 2 × depth charge racks |
