For naval units underway for a long time, it is important that necessary fuel and stores are delivered at sea. Replenishment ships are able to do this under most circumstances, increasing operational capability.

Supply ships are often constructed for specific goods like fuel, food or spare parts, carried in separate ships. For a small Navy, such ships are not cost effective. Therefore a new design was needed. A so-called one stop replenishment vessel was developed.

HNLMS Poolster 1962-1964 and Zuiderkruis 1973-1975 were built according to this concept. In terms of displacement, they were the largest ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy, designed to replenish national and Allied units at sea.

The Name

The Southern Cross is a conspicuous constellation, to see practically the whole year easily in the southern hemisphere. Of all the constellations in the sky it has the smallest area. Although it is not even very close to the south celestial pole, in the southern hemisphere might be a similar meaning as the Polar Star in the northern hemisphere. There are various countries in the southern hemisphere (eg, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand) which carry the Southern Cross in their national flag.

The name of the first Dutch surveyor, HNLMS Poolster (Polar Star), was taken from the principal supply ship of the former Government Navy. When a second supply ship joined, it was obvious to also name that ship to a constellation -Zuiderkruis-.

PREDECESSORS

Man O’ War

The oldest ship bearing the name Zuiderkruis was owned by the Admiralty of Amsterdam, the largest of the five admiralties at the time of the Dutch Republic.

The ship was built in 1653 armed with 32 guns, later with 42 guns. She was part of the fleet of Admiral Michiel de Ruyter. In June 1666 she took part in the Four Days’ Battle in the Second Dutch War off the Flemish and English coast and lost 5 men.