HNLMS Zeeland (D809) (Dutch: Hr.Ms. Zeeland) was a destroyer of the Holland class. The ship was in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy from 1955 to 1979. The destroyer was named after the Dutch province of Zeeland and was the twenty-first ship with this name. In 1978 the ship was taken out of service and later broken up and scrapped. The ship's radio call sign was "PAAU".[2][3]
Portsmouth was visited after making a trip to the North Sea and English Channel in 1955. In 1956 she would participate in the NATO exercises Grande Chase and Cut Lose.[3]
Zeeland, starboard view
In July 1956 Zeeland, the destroyer Friesland and the cruiser De Zeven Provinciën visited Leningrad for the first time since 1914. Where they were officially welcomed at the harbor of Kronstadt by the Soviet authorities.[4]
The ship was kept in reserve and laid up from 1956 until 1965.[5]
She would participate in the NATO exercises Silent Rain in 1966 and Perfect Play in 1967. In 1968 she participated in the exercise Silver Tower and joined STANAVFORLANT. The next year she participated in the exercises Razor Sharp and Peace Keeper. [3]
In 1976 Zeeland, together with the frigatesTromp visited New York to attend a fleet review held on the Hudson river.[3]
In July 1976 Zeeland, together with the frigatesTromp, Van Nes, Van Galen, the destroyer Holland, the submarine Dolfijn and the replenishment ship Poolster visited New York in commemoration of the city's 200 years anniversary.[6]
On 29 September 1979 the vessel was decommissioned and struck from the register on 1 January 1979. Zeeland was sold on 8 November 1979 to the Dutch company Intershitra for scrapping.[7][8]
Jordan, John (2016). Warship 2016. London: Conway. ISBN1844863263.
Mark, Chris (2005). Onderzeebootjagers van de Holland- en Friesland-klasse. Amsterdam: Stichting Vrienden van de Koninklijke Marine. ISBN978-9051230048.
Nooteboom, S.G. (2001). Deugdelijke Schepen: marinescheepsbouw 1945-1995. Europese Bibliotheek. ISBN9789028826373.