The Royal Netherlands Navy Mine Service (Dutch: Mijnendienst) is a department within the Royal Netherlands Navy that is responsible for keeping Dutch coastal waterways and approaches to major seaport areas mine-free.[1][2] It was established out of the Royal Netherlands Navy Torpedo Service in 1907.[3]
| Royal Netherlands Navy Mine Service | |
|---|---|
| Mijnendienst | |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Country |  Netherlands |
| Branch | Royal Netherlands Navy |
| Part of | Ministry of Defence |
| Engagements | |
History edit
The Royal Netherlands Navy Mine Service was established in 1907 when the first Dutch naval mine, Type 1907, was taken into service.[4] The decision to introduce the naval mine was made a year earlier in 1906 and was likely influenced by the important role that mines had played during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904.[5][6] The first minelayers and minesweepers that were used by the mine service consisted of ships that had been modified to be able to lay or sweep mines.[7]
World War I edit
During the First World War the minelayers of the mine service laid several defensive minefields to defend the neutrality of the Netherlands.[2][8] The idea behind the minefields was that it would make it harder for foreign naval ships to enter Dutch territorial waters.[9] Besides laying minefields the ships and personnel of the mine service were also involved in disabling drifting and stranded mines.[9] The important role of the mine service during this period led to a increase of new material.[10][7] As a result the mine service had at the end of the First World War 17 minelayers in service.[6]
Notes edit
Citations edit
- ^ "Oude mijnen nog steeds explosief". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 12 November 1977.
- ^ a b T.J. Kerpel (14 May 1977). "Mijnendienst bestaat zeventig jaar". Nederlands Dagblad (in Dutch).
- ^ Woudstra (1982), p. 138.
- ^ Roetering (1997), p. 10.
- ^ "Diamanten feest in Den Helder: Mijnendienst Nederland bestaat zestig jaar". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 25 March 1967.
- ^ a b Woudstra (1982), p. 140.
- ^ a b Roetering (1997), p. 14.
- ^ Raven (1988), p. 71.
- ^ a b Raven (1988), p. 84.
- ^ Quant (1919), p. 18.
References edit
- Quant, L.J. (1919). Het Huidige Marinevraagstuk (in Dutch). Haarlem: H.D. Tjeenk Willink & Zoon.
- Woudstra, F.G.A. (1982). Onze Koninklijke Marine (in Dutch). Alkmaar: De Alk. ISBN 90-6013-915-1.
- Raven, G.J.A., ed. (1988). De kroon op het anker: 175 jaar Koninklijke Marine (in Dutch). Amsterdam: De Bataafsche Leeuw. ISBN 90-6707-200-1.
- Roetering, B., ed. (1997). Mijnendienst 1907-1997 90 jaar: feiten, verhalen en anekdotes uit het negentigjarig bestaan van de Mijnendienst van de Koninklijke Marine (in Dutch). ISBN 90-90-10528-X.