Potvis 1970
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comm | Fate |
| Dolfijn | S808 | 279 | Rotterdamse Droogdok Mij | 30.12.1954 | 20.5.1959 | 16.12.1960 | stricken 2.1985 |
| Zeehond | S809 | 280 | Rotterdamse Droogdok Mij | 30.12.1954 | 20.2.1960 | 16.3.1961 | test hulk 1.1990 |
| Potvis | S804 | 782 | Wilton-Fijenoord, Schiedam | 17.9.1962 | 12.1.1965 | 2.11.1965 | sold 7.1994 |
| Tonijn | S805 | 783 | Wilton-Fijenoord, Schiedam | 27.11.1962 | 14.6.1965 | 24.2.1966 | museum boat 6.1994 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
|
|
Displacement normal, t |
S808, 809: 1520 / 1830 S804, 805: 1509 / 1831 |
|
Length, m |
S808, 809: 78.3 S804, 805: 79.5 |
|
Breadth, m |
7.90 |
|
Draught, m |
5.00 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 MAN 12-V6V 22/30 diesels / 2 electric motors |
|
Power, h. p. |
2800 / 4000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
14.5 / 17 |
|
Fuel, t |
diesel oil |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | |
|
Armament |
8 - 533 TT (4 bow, 4 stern, 20) |
|
Electronic equipment |
ZW-06 radar, sonars, ECM suite, M8 CCS |
|
Complement |
64 |
|
Diving depth operational, m |
300 |
Project history: These were the first submarines to be built postwar for the Royal Netherlands Navy, and were of a novel triple-hulled design. Three cylinders were arranged in a triangular shape within an outer casing. The upper cylinder accommodated the crew, control spaces and armament, while the shorter lower cylinders each housed an independent propulsion unit comprising a twelve cylinder diesel, an electric motor, and a 168-cell battery.
The order for the second pair was postponed while the possibility of nuclear propulsion was considered. It was reinstated in 1962, and Potvis and Tonjin were completed with a number of modifications which were subsequently extended to the earlier boats.
Modernizations: early 1970s, Zeehond: new sonar was installed.
1978-1979, Potvis, Tonjin: diesels were replaced by 2 SEMT-Pielstick PA4 (3100hp), power of electric motors was increased to 4400hp.
Naval service: No significant events.
Tonjin 1979
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
© Ivan Gogin, 2015