The Dutch passenger carrier Christiaan Huygens was build in 1928. It spent most of its service on sailings between Amsterdam and Batavia (Jakarta). The ship was used during the Second World War by the allied forces as a troop transport vessel.

Wikimedia Commons

Launch of the Christiaan Huygens, photograph by Gustaaf Oosterhuis.

In the summer of 1945 the ship was refitted in Antwerp. When she was on her way back to Rotterdam on the 25th of August, the ship ran on a mine in the Steendiep (near the island of Walcheren). To prevent the ship from sinking, it was stranded on the Steenbanken. On the 5th, the hull broke and attempts to save the vessel were stopped. At present, she lies at a depth of approximately 30 meters.

Zeeuws Archief

The Christiaan Huygens stranded on the Steenbanken.

The Christiaan Huygens was a luxurious liner. Its bronze statues and elaborate ceilings were made by - at the time - well known artists as Carel Adolph Lion Cachet (1854-1945) en Lambertus Zijl (1866-1947).

Stadsarchief Amsterdam

First class dining room of the Christiaan Huygens.

Built: Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Mij, Amsterdam (building number 186).
Propulsion: 2x 10 cylinder diesel engines (manufactured by Sulzer in Winterthur), 2-stroke, single acting.
Propellers: 2

Stadsarchief Amsterdam

The launch of the Christiaan Huygens at Oostenburg (Amsterdam).

Stadsarchief Amsterdam

Second class cabin for one person on board the Christiaan Huygens.

Museum voor Wereldculturen

The Christiaan Huygens.

Arial view of the Christiaan Huygens (photo by L. M. Johannes/ KLM Aerocarto).

The wreck lies at the position where it was taken and is sometimes visited by amateur divers. Divers report that at least parts of the interior are still reasonably well preserved.

• Christiaan Huygens Website about Sulzer engines (list of Sulzer powered ships).
• Netherland Line on Wikipedia.
  Wikipedia.
• stoomvaart maatschappij Nederland.
• Stichting Marhisdata.