History
The Dutch Royal Navy submarine O 22 was laid down 1937 at the Royal Schelde yard in Flushing. Three years later, on the eve of the German attack on the Netherlands, the ship was launched. It was originally intended to be K XXII for service in Dutch East Indies, but was renamed Hr.Ms. O 22.
When the attack came, on May 10, 1940, the ship was not yet fully completed and therefore made its escape to the United Kingdom. As there was barely any time for preparations, the crew had to rely on old German fishery maps obtained from a skipper from the city of Groningen to find their way.
Nonetheless, O 22 reached its destination and operated from the UK for several months. From Dundee, the submarine carried out several patrols of the Norwegian coast, but did not succeed in sinking any enemy ships.
On November 5, 1940, O 22 departed for her fifth patrol with 42 Dutch and three British sailors on board, and was never seen again.
Discovery
In August 1993, a survey vessel of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate located a wreck at 40 nautical miles southwest off the Norwegian coast and at a water depth of about 180 metres. An inspection using a remotely operated vehicle revealed that it was the wreck of the O 22. The ship was found very much intact, suggesting that technical difficulties were responsible for the loss.
On November 2, 1996, a ceremony was held at the location of the O 22 wreck, in remembrance of the sailors who lost their lives.
On the site of the foundation for descendants of U-boat personnel (Stichting Nabestaanden Onderzeeboten 1940-1945) you will find the complete crew list of the O 22 with photos and information.
Description
Class: O 21 class. Royal Netherlands Navy.
Armament: 8 x 21" torpedoes
The O 22 just before her first trials, Flushing, 2 April 1940 .
| People on board | 39 |
|---|---|
| Length | 254' 11" feet (77.7 m) |
| Width | 21' 4" feet (6.5 m) |
Status
The wreck of the O 22 is a designated war grave. Although this is never a guarantee against illegal salvage operations, the great depth at which the wreck lies offers some protection.
References
- Article on the O 22 at Dutchsubmarines.com.
- lijst met gevallenen.
- H.M. Ort (1995).
Hr. Ms. O-22.De onderzeeboot die in 1940 verloren ging en in 1993 werd teruggevonden, Van Soeren & Co, Amsterdam.