Walrus (2) on fire, 14 Aug 1986
For additional photos and information
please visit the official Walrus (2) website and check the 'related pages list' at the bottom of this page.
1979
16 June/Aug 1979: The building contract for Walrus (2) is signed.
11 Oct 1979: Walrus (2) is laid down at the R.D.M.
shipyard in Rotterdam
1985
28 Oct 1985: Walrus (2) is launched.
1986
14 Aug 1986 at 11:00 hrs: The completion of Walrus (2) is delayed
by a serious fire which destroys the cabling and
electronics. The fire is not extinguished until 16:00 hrs ! Because of the
damage Zeeleeuw (2) will commission
before Walrus (2). The damage is estimated at 225 million Dutch
guilders.
As some equipment ordered for the Dolfijn
(4) and Bruinvis is diverted
to the Walrus (2) there will be slight delays in the completion dates
of Dolfijn (4) and Bruinvis.
Because of the delay in the completion of Walrus (2) the boats
Zeehond (3),
Potvis and
Tonijn (all three
class) will all
serve longer than planned.
1987
Trials are scheduled to start in Apr 1987.
1989
13 Sep 1989: Walrus (2) is re-launched.
1990
15 Jan 1990 - 15 Aug 1991: Walrus (2) is under the command of
.
12 Sep 1990: First trials of Walrus (2).
24 - 27 Nov 1990: Walrus (2) visits Norway, port
unknown.
1991
18 - 21 May 1991: Walrus (2) visits Faslane (Scotland).
26 May 1991: Walrus (2) visits Faslane (Scotland).
31 May - 4 Jun 1991: Walrus (2) visits Norway,
port unknown.
1992
?16 Jan 1992? - 25 Mar 1992: Walrus (2) is under the command of
.
25 Mar 1992: Walrus (2) is commissioned to the Royal Netherlands
Navy. will be her commander until 7 July 1993.
2 - 6 Apr 1992: Walrus (2) visits Norway, port unknown.
15 - 18 May 1992: Walrus (2) visits Faslane (Scotland).
22 - 27 May 1992: Walrus (2) visits Faslane (Scotland).
29 May 1992: Walrus (2) visits Faslane (Scotland).
13 June 1992: Walrus (2) visits Faslane (Scotland).
4 - 7 Dec 1992: Walrus (2) visits Norway, port unknown.
1994
10 Jan 1994 - July 1996: Walrus (2) is under the command of
27 Jan - 3 Feb 1994: Walrus (2) visits Norway, port unknown.
31 Mar - 1 Apr 1994: Walrus (2) visits Faslane (Scotland).
11 - 12 Apr 1994: Walrus (2) visits Faslane (Scotland).
1995
(expected) 30 Jan 1995: Walrus (2) departs from Den Helder (home
port).
(expected) 6 Feb 1995: Walrus (2) visits Madeira (Portugal).
(expected) 19 Feb - 24 Feb 1995: Walrus (2) visits Roosevelt
Roads (Puerto Rico ) Naval Station.
(expected) 17 Mar - 21 Mar 1995: Walrus (2) visits St. Thomas
(Virgin Islands).
(expected) 14 Apr - 21 Apr 1995: Walrus (2) visits Barbados.
(expected) 8 May 1995: Walrus (2) arrives in Den Helder (home
port).
1996
(expected) 20 Mar 1996: Walrus (2) departs from Den Helder (home
port).
(expected) 10 Apr - 15 Apr 1996: Walrus (2) visits Valetta
(Malta).
(expected) 14 May 1996: Walrus (2) visits Mallorca .
(expected) 6 May 1996: Walrus (2) arrives in Den Helder (home
port).
4 - 14 June 1996: Walrus (2) participates in the NATO submarine
rescue exercise operation "Sorbet Royal
Go to for more information
1997
Aug 1997 - Jul 1999: Walrus (2) is under the command of Ltz. I
.
Aug 1997: The Walrus (2) returns to active service after being
under repair for a year. The new Commander, Ltz. I
, will take
the boat to Norwegian waters for a four-week period of trials and work-up.
29 Sep - 3 Oct 1997: Walrus (2) visits Norway, port unknown.
15 - 16 Nov 1997: The Walrus (2) and her crew pass the operational
examine conducted in Scottish waters. This exam ends a two-week CSST-period
(Captain Sea Shore Training). The Walrus (2) was based at Faslane
(U.K.) during this period.
1998
3 May 1998: Walrus (2) visits Zeebrugge (Belgium).
1999
1999: Dolfijn (4) and Walrus (2)
participate in the NATO naval exercise Northern Light '99. Before taking part
in the actual exercise the Dolfijn(4) and the Belgian-Dutch squadron do
a work-up in the permanent submarine exercise area in the North Sea. This
work-up is followed by a another work-up North and West of Scotland together
with French, German, English and Spanish task forces. In the area North and
West of Scotland the Dolfijn (4) is relieved by the Walrus (2).
2 - 19 Feb 1999: Walrus (2) sails from Den Helder, via Plymouth
(England) to Chesapeak Bay, Norfolk (USA). She is one week behind the
Dutch/Belgian squadron.
? - 22 Feb 1999: Walrus (2) visits Norfolk (USA)
23 Feb - 2 Mar 1999: Walrus (2)
participates, among other NATO navies and the Brazilian navy, in the exercise
JTFEX / TMDI99.
JTFEX / TMDI99 stands for Joint Task Force Exercise / Theatre Missile
Defence Initiative 1999. The exercise is held in the Caribbean and on the US
main land and has 27000 participants, of which 15000 naval participants.
This exercise is the biggest gathering of forces since the Gulf-war, is held
from 1 Feb to 4 Mar 1999.
28 Apr - 2 May 1999: Walrus (2) visits Roosevelt Roads (Puerto
Rico).
Off Puerto Rico the Walrus (2) conduct an other exercise with the
Dutch/Belgian squadron.
29 Apr 1999: Walrus (2) takes an underwater look at Hr.Ms. De
Ruyter.
Until mid may 1999 the Walrus (2) supports the CCOLVO manoeuvres of
the Dutch/Belgian squadron.
14 - 16 May 1999: Walrus (2) visits San Juan (Puerto Rico).
17 May - 3 June 1999: Walrus (2) sails back to her home port Den
Helder.
Jul 1999 - 7 Jul 2000: Walrus (2) is under the command of
.
2000
11 Feb 2000 at 14:00 hrs: Walrus (2) departs from Den Helder and
sails to Kristiansand (Norway).
One of the purposes of this voyage is work-up of the crew (mainly
technical safety) which has been reduced from 60 to 52.
18 Feb 2000: Walrus (2) arrives in Kristiansand (Norway).
21 Feb:2000: Walrus (2) departs from Kristiansand (Norway).
23 Feb 2000 at 10:00 hrs: Walrus (2) arrives in Den Helder.
Mar 2000: Walrus (2) is at Den Helder.
18 Mar - 1 Jun: Walrus (2) makes a trip to
18 Mar 2000 at 14:00 hrs: Walrus (2) departs from Den Helder.
24 Mar 2000: Walrus (2) is expected to arrive in Devonport (U.K.).
27 Mar 2000: Walrus (2) is expected to depart from Devonport
(U.K.).
Week #13 2000: Walrus (2) participates in a U.K. FOST (Flag Officer
Sea Training) exercise in the U.K.'s southern waters. A FOST exercise is used
to work-up ships. Walrus (2) is used for Anti Submarine Warfare
training of surface vessels.
12 Apr 2000: Walrus (2) arrives in La Coruna (Spain).
17 Apr 2000: Walrus (2) departs from La Coruna (Spain).
28 Apr 2000: Walrus (2) arrives in Brest (France).
1 May 2000: Walrus (2) departs from Brest (France).
2 May - 15 May 2000: Walrus (2) participates in exercise Linked Seas
2000. Other participating Dutch units are M-frigate Karel Doorman and
two Lockheed P3C Orion airplanes.
Linked Seas 2000 is a 'naval control of shipping' exercise from May 2 -
15, 2000 in an area bounded by 43.5 N 008.33 W thence south along the coasts
of Spain, Portugal, and Africa to 30.0 N thence W to 30.0 N 020.0 W thence N
to 43.5 N 018.0 W and back to the starting point.
16 May 2000: Walrus (2) arrives at the Gibraltar Naval Base.
18 May 2000: Walrus (2) departs from Gibraltar.
28 May 2000: Walrus (2) arrives in Zeebrugge (Belgium).
31 May 2000: Walrus (2) departs from Zeebrugge ( Belgium).
1 June 2000: Walrus (2) arrives in Den Helder.
7 Jul 2000: Ltz. I
is
relieved from his Walrus (2) command. No new commander will be
appointed since a long docking/overhaul is planned for the Walrus (2).
25 Aug 2000: on board the submarines Walrus (2) and
Zeeleeuw (2) a defect on the 'afsluitkleppen'
(closing valves) has been reported. The valves of the boats
Bruinvis and
Dolfijn (4) are currently being checked. These valves prevent
seawater from entering the exhaust system when a submarine submerges. The
defect was discovered during routine maintenance at the Dutch Navy Yard in Den
Helder. Navy spokesman A. Meeldijk stated " . . possibly the problem is
corrosion or fractures . .the safety of the crews has not been in danger
at all since the valve system is backed up by an other system. . "
Sep 2000: The valve problem (see Aug 25) is so serious that all four
Walrus (2) class boats have been withdrawn from active service. Inspection
showed 'micro fractures' en 'micro rust' (tension corrosion) on the inboard
closing valves of the diesel engine exhaust.
These closing valves prevent water from entering the exhaust when the sub is
submerged. This means that the valves are exposed to the full hydrostatic
pressure outside the sub. For safety there are two valves fitted, an inboard
and an outboard valve, which are both designed to withstand the full
hydrostatic pressure at maximum diving depth (over 300 M).
Two boats can be repaired temporarily (the valves can be repaired) within a
few months. The two other subs will be withdrawn from active duty for a much
longer period, about 8 to 12 months, because of the long delivery times
of the Italian valve manufacturer. The valves of these latter two subs are
damaged to such an extend that a 'quick' repair is impossible.
It is estimated that the first repaired valve can be fitted in the second half
of November 2000 and the second probably early December 2000. The cost per
submarine, for all four subs, will be about 700000 Dutch guilders (300000
Euro).
23 Oct 2000: Today it is reported that to fix the Walrus (2)-class
exhaust valve problems Dolfijn (4) and
Bruinvis will be fitted with repaired
valves, Zeeleeuw (2)
and Walrus (2) will receive brand new valves. At a later date the
repaired valves of Dolfijn (4) and Bruinvis will be replaced by
new ones as well. When all goes as planned the Dolfijn (4) will make
her next voyage on Nov. 25 and Bruinvis on Dec. 7. Both voyages without
any diving depth restrictions.
| Walrus (2) at the Den Helder
Navy Yard, late 2000. (Photo: © Michel van Zwieten). |
 |
24 Oct 2000: In May 2001 Walrus(2) will be the first sub to be
fitted with a brand new 'snort exhaust closing valve'. The Italian
manufacturer can not deliver the valve any sooner.
2001
31 Aug 2001 at 14:00 hrs: Dolfijn (4)
is temporarily decommissioned in order to get her xx maintenance. Most of the
crew in transferred to the Walrus (2) and
Bruinvis.
Nov 2001: In a speech Mr. Hamilton’s (US Navy) says the following on the
Dutch Submarines: ".....The Dutch have developed a system where submariners
pull up to a pier, hook the boat up to shore cables, and go home, leaving a
few sailors in a bunkhouse to watch fire, flooding and security alarms for
everyone who is in port. That means the sailors are on watch one in 30 days
while they are in port; until recently, many U.S. submarines operated on a one
in three watch cycle. The Dutch submarines have also automated the boats to
the point where a sailor preparing to “snorkel,” or come to the surface to
draw air and run the engines, just pushes a “prepare to snorkel” button and
the systems bring the boat into position, lines up all the valves and start
the engines, making that process much less labour intensive....."
Late 2001 - 18 Aug 2004: Walrus (2) is under the command of
H. H. Liebregs.
2002
Walrus (2) makes a SASWU trip.
18 Feb - 21 Feb 2002: Walrus (2) visits Ulsnes (Norway).
22 Feb - 25 Feb 2002: Walrus (2) visits Stavanger (Norway).
26 Feb - 1 Mar 2002: Walrus (2) visits Herdlefjord (Norway).
2 Mar 2002: Walrus (2) arrives in Den Helder (home port).
4 Apr 2002 at 15:15 hrs: Walrus (2) departs from Den Helder (home
port).
Apr 2002: Walrus (2) departs from Faslane (Scotland).
?5? May 2002: Walrus (2) arrives in Devonport (England).
8 May 2002: Walrus (2) departs from Devonport (England).
14 June 2002: Walrus (2) arrives in Dublin (Ireland).
17 June 2002: Walrus (2) departs from Dublin (Ireland).
20 June 2002: Walrus (2) arrives in Devonport (England).
21 June 2002: Walrus (2) departs from Devonport (England).
17 July 2002: Walrus (2) arrives in Den Helder (home port).
23 Aug 2002: The Dutch Submarine Service (OZD) celebrates its 95th
anniversary in Amsterdam. Actually the 95th anniversary would have been on 21
Dec 2001 (since the first Dutch sub, the O 1,
was commissioned on 21 Dec 1906) but it is celebrated today because all 4
Dutch submarines are now in port and open to the public.
16 Sept 2002: Walrus (2) departs from Den Helder. She will travel to
the Arabic Sea and the Persian Gulf to support the international
anti-terrorist operation "Enduring Freedom".
Operation Enduring Freedom: It
has been reported that several non-Dutch translators (speaking Arabic) were
on board the Walrus (2) while the sub was operating in the Arabic Sea
and the Persian Gulf.
25 Sep 2002: Walrus (2) visits Palma de Majorca (Majorca).
8 Oct 2002: Walrus (2) visits Aksaz (Turkey?).
22 Oct 2002: Walrus (2) visits Muscat (Oman).
21 Nov 2002: In an interview with Radio Netherlands Secretary of State
for Defense Van der Knaap states that the Walrus (2) is gathering
information on the Iranian Navy, as requested by the USA.
18 Nov 2002: Walrus (2) visits Dubai (UAE). In Dubai a Dutch
'signal annalist' is put ashore.
12 Dec 2002: Walrus(2) arrives in Barcelona (Spain).
27 Dec 2002: Just before noon: Walrus (2) arrives in Den Helder
(home port). The 24th was the planned date of arrival.
2003
26 Feb 2003: 50 crew members of the Walrus (2) receive a medal for
their contributions to operation "Enduring Freedom". From Sept to Dec 2002 the
Walrus (2) has been gathering intelligence in the Arabic Sea and the
Persian Gulf, according to some sources she has been 'spying' on the Iranian
Navy. The medals are awarded by Commander Naval Forces Netherlands,
vice-admiral J. van der Aa.
| Walrus crew receiving their
medal, Den Helder 26 Feb 2003. (Photo: © Mindef). |
|
4 (probably incorrect) or 7 April: Walrus (2) arrives
in Aksaz.
25 - 28 March 2003: Walrus (2) visits
Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Walrus (2) heads for the Persian Gulf
in order to assist in operation "Enduring Freedom". Her scheduled trip
to the USA is cancelled.
9 Apr 2003: Walrus (2) is at the
entrance of the Suez Canal. She will sail through the canal together with
the frigate Karel Doorman.
23 - 26 Apr 2003: Walrus (1) visits
Mina Jabal Ali (UAE).
31 May 2003: Walrus (1) arrives in
Jabal Ali (UAE).
2 June 2003: Walrus
(2) departs from Jabal Ali (UAE).
15 June 2003: Walrus (2) arrives in
Port Suez.
16 June 2003: Walrus (2) departs
from Port Suez.
20 June - 26 June 2003: Walrus (2)
visits La Valetta (Malta).
Walrus (2) departs at 15:00 hrs on
June 26th.
26 June - 3 July 2003: After the departure
from La Valetta the crew is trialled with several so called 'index
exercises'.
Fortunately there is also some time for a
BBQ.
4 July: Walrus (2) arrives in La
Coruna (Spain)
7 July 2003: Walrus (2) departs
from La Coruna (Spain)
11 July 2003: Walrus (2) arrives in
Den Helder (home port).
6 Oct 2003: Walrus (2) departs from
Den Helder (Home port)
10 Oct - 13 Oct 2003: Walrus (2)
visits Cork (Ireland).
17 Oct 2003: Walrus (2) arrives
in Devonport/Plymouth (England).
24 Oct shortly after noon - 27 Oct 2003: Walrus (2)
visits Portsmouth (England). She departs at approximately 11:00 hrs.
This departure can be seen at the Portsmouth Webcam
Archives.
- 11:04 hrs - ,
- 11:06 hrs - and
- 11:08 hrs -.
This week is used for FOST and INDEX
training.
27 Oct - 28 Oct 2003 around noon: Two
journalists of the Dutch naval magazine Alle Hens visit the
Walrus (2).
31 Oct 2003 at 09:30 hrs - 3 Nov 2003 at
noon: Walrus (2)
visits Plymouth (England).
10 Nov 2003 at +/- 14:00 hrs: Walrus
(2) arrives in Den Helder (home port).
2004
21 Apr - 24 Apr: Walrus (2) visits Falmouth
(England).
21 May 2004: Walrus (2) arrives at the Duchy wharf in
Falmouth (England).
30 May - 2 Jun: Walrus (2), Mercuur (4) and
various Dutch surface units conduct a Torpedo Firing Exercise S-W off
England.
16 Aug 2004: The Walrus (2) crew returns from their summer leave and starts preparing the boat.
+/-20 Aug 2004: The foundation "Den Helder Marinestad" had awarded the Walrus (2) for being the most friendliest crew during the Naval Days. Chairman L. Swaneveld has awarded a certificate and 1000 Euros (to be donated to a good cause) to the Cdt. of the Submarine Service.
18 Aug 2004 - Present day: Walrus (2) is under the command of W.H.A. Rouwhorst.
23 Aug 2004: Walrus (2) departs Den Helder and heads for the Southern Norwegian waters.
9 Sep 2004: Walrus (2) is scheduled to arrive in Bergen (Norway).
13 Sep 2004: Walrus (2) is scheduled to depart from Den Helder (home port).
17 Sep 2004: Walrus (2) is scheduled to arrive in Den Helder (home port).
26 Nov 2004: Walrus (2) is scheduled to arrive in La Coruna (Spain).
29 Nov 2004: Walrus (2) is scheduled to depart from La Coruna (Spain).
3rd quarter 2004 - 3rd quarter 2005: Walrus (2) will
be decommissioned for her MJO (Multiple Year Maintenance)
