HR.MS K XV111
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 6:47 pm
27 Sep 1932: K XVIII is launched.
23 Mar 1934: K XVIII is commissioned to the Royal Netherlands Navy.
14 Nov 1934 - 11 July 1935: The K XVIII sails from Nieuwediep (Netherlands) to Soerabaja Prof. Dr. F.A. Vening Meinesz, B.Sc. is on board in order to conduct gravity measurements. The submarine visits the following ports: Funchal, St. Vincent, Dakar, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos-Aires, Mar del Plata, Cape town, Durban, Port Louis (Mauritius) and Fremantle.
The K XVIII is also used as a navigational beacon for the airplane Snip on its Christmas flight to the Dutch West Indies. This famous 23000-mile voyage around the world is carried out unescorted.
The following were the four objectives for this voyage around the world:
a) Supporting the Dutch submarine force in the Dutch East Indies. b) Testing the endurance of the material and personnel. c) Showing the flag. d) Enabling Prof. Dr. Ir. F.A. Vening Meinesz, B.Sc. to conduct gravity measurements.
During its voyage around the world K XVIII visits the following harbours: Den Helder, Funchal (Madeira), St Vincent, Dakar, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, Tristan da Cunha, Cape town, Durban, Mauritius, Fremantle and Soerabaja.
23 or 24 Jan 1942 : K XVIII attacks a convoy off Balikpapan. The submarine torpedoes and sinks the Japanese passenger-cargo ship ss Tsuruga Maru (6988t) as is confirmed by official Japanese sources, or Buruga Maru according to other sources. Position: 00°10'N-118°00'E. Tsugura Maru is a freighter of the N.Y.K. Line. The coordinates seem to indicate that this attack took place off Samarinda and not off Balikpapan (as reported).
24 Jan 1942: During the Japanese attack on Balikpapan the K XVIII is heavily damaged by depth-charges. The submarine is unable to dive and has to return to Soerabaja for repairs.
24 Jan - 28 Jan 1942: K XVIII is docked at the Naval Yard in Soerabaja.
2 Mar 1942: The K XVIII is scuttled while under repair in Soerabaja in order to avoid being captured by invading Japanese forces.
1944
The Japanese raise (1944?) and repair (194?-1944) the K XVIII. The submarine is converted into an air warning picket hulk and is stationed in Madoera Strait.
16 June 1945: The Japanese air warning picket hulk ex-K XVIII is sunk off Soerabaja by the Royal Navy submarine Taciturn. Position: 06°48'S-112°47'E.
dutchsubmarines.com
23 Mar 1934: K XVIII is commissioned to the Royal Netherlands Navy.
14 Nov 1934 - 11 July 1935: The K XVIII sails from Nieuwediep (Netherlands) to Soerabaja Prof. Dr. F.A. Vening Meinesz, B.Sc. is on board in order to conduct gravity measurements. The submarine visits the following ports: Funchal, St. Vincent, Dakar, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos-Aires, Mar del Plata, Cape town, Durban, Port Louis (Mauritius) and Fremantle.
The K XVIII is also used as a navigational beacon for the airplane Snip on its Christmas flight to the Dutch West Indies. This famous 23000-mile voyage around the world is carried out unescorted.
The following were the four objectives for this voyage around the world:
a) Supporting the Dutch submarine force in the Dutch East Indies. b) Testing the endurance of the material and personnel. c) Showing the flag. d) Enabling Prof. Dr. Ir. F.A. Vening Meinesz, B.Sc. to conduct gravity measurements.
During its voyage around the world K XVIII visits the following harbours: Den Helder, Funchal (Madeira), St Vincent, Dakar, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, Tristan da Cunha, Cape town, Durban, Mauritius, Fremantle and Soerabaja.
23 or 24 Jan 1942 : K XVIII attacks a convoy off Balikpapan. The submarine torpedoes and sinks the Japanese passenger-cargo ship ss Tsuruga Maru (6988t) as is confirmed by official Japanese sources, or Buruga Maru according to other sources. Position: 00°10'N-118°00'E. Tsugura Maru is a freighter of the N.Y.K. Line. The coordinates seem to indicate that this attack took place off Samarinda and not off Balikpapan (as reported).
24 Jan 1942: During the Japanese attack on Balikpapan the K XVIII is heavily damaged by depth-charges. The submarine is unable to dive and has to return to Soerabaja for repairs.
24 Jan - 28 Jan 1942: K XVIII is docked at the Naval Yard in Soerabaja.
2 Mar 1942: The K XVIII is scuttled while under repair in Soerabaja in order to avoid being captured by invading Japanese forces.
1944
The Japanese raise (1944?) and repair (194?-1944) the K XVIII. The submarine is converted into an air warning picket hulk and is stationed in Madoera Strait.
16 June 1945: The Japanese air warning picket hulk ex-K XVIII is sunk off Soerabaja by the Royal Navy submarine Taciturn. Position: 06°48'S-112°47'E.
dutchsubmarines.com