HNLMS O 16

O 16 was a unique submarine of the Royal Netherlands Navy that saw service during World War II. The design came from G. de Rooy and had a diving depth of 80 meters. She was the first submarine of the Royal Netherlands Navy manufactured from high quality Steel 52. Also riveting was reduced 49% and replaced by welding when compared to preceding ships.

Ship history
The submarine was laid down on 28 December 1933 at the Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde, Vlissingen and launched on 27 January 1936. 16 October 1936 she was commissioned in the Dutch navy.

Before the war she performed convoy duties during the Spanish Civil War. In 1939 she was sent to the Dutch East Indies via the Suez Canal and attached to the submarine division there. During the war she sunk three Japanese troopships and damaged several others. On 15 December 1941 during her homebound voyage to Singapore O 16 hit a Japanese mine while leaving the Gulf of Siam. Only one man out of the crew of 42 survived.

Summary of raiding history
Ships sunk and damaged by O 16.