Welcome aboard
Of all our ships, the submarine Tonijn is the most eye-catching: an unmissable, large anthracite grey colossus. The Tonijn offers a unique opportunity in the Netherlands to see the inside of a real submarine!
Development and construction
The Tonijn was built at the Wilton-Fijenoord shipyard in Schiedam. Dutch engineer M.F. Gunning (1895-1972) developed the principle of the three-cylinder engine for submarines. This design improved stability and allowed the boat to dive deeper than other submarines of the same period.
Technical facts
- The Tonijn is a three-cylinder submarine of the Potvis class.
- Commissioned: 24 February 1966. Decommissioned: 10 January 1991.
- Crew: 67 crew members.
- Length: 78.25 metres. Width: 7.80 metres.
- Draught: 4.95 metres.
- Speed: 14.5 knots above water, 17 knots below water.
- Armament: 8 torpedo tubes of 53 cm.
Privacy on board
Of a submarine?
Is there such a thing as privacy on board a submarine? We take you on board the Tonijn, part of the museum. Our attendants explain how it works.
The Tonijn was equipped with batteries to provide power on board. To recharge these, the snorkel mast was raised while sailing underwater just below the surface, allowing air to be sucked in for the diesel engines and exhaust gases to be expelled. This process is called sniffing. During sniffing, the air in the boat was also refreshed.
Life aboard a submarine is unique. The crew lives together underwater for around six weeks. Our attendants aboard the Tonijn have often sailed on a Potvis-class submarine themselves.
Purchase your discounted tickets online and board the Tonijn yourself.
Tickets