Real seamen

Karel Doorman’s met with an altogether different fate, as he perished in the Battle of the Java Sea.People get to experience the Battle of the Java Sea through Alex Moorman (medical orderly on the HNLMS De Ruyter) and Ru Crommelin (the oldest officer on the HNLMS Kortenaer).

Ship's bell of Dutch cruiser De Ruyter

The exhibition commemorates the 918 crew members of the Dutch Navy ships who were killed in action in the Battle of the Java Sea. On 27 February 1942, the cruisers HNLMS De Ruyter, HNLMS Java and HNLMS Kortenaer were sunk. A large number of the crew perished.

As part of the commemoration, the names of all those who lost their lives are projected, with the ship’s bell of HNLMS De Ruyter being sounded every half hour.