HNLMS Abraham Crinjnssen: How to Camouflage a Warship

Dutch Minesweeper hid from the Japanese by pretending to be an island

When the war in the South Pacific broke out, allied ships immediately diverted to Australia to avoid being sunk by the Japanese navy. The HNLMS Abraham Crinjnssen was no exception, especially when 3 of her sister ships were sunk while trying to escape the Dutch Indies. The crew covered the entire ship with plants and painted the hull with rock-like shapes while they hopped from island to island on their way to Australia. They succeeded and spent the rest of the war working with the Australian navy on escort duty.

The HNLMS Abraham Crinjnssen is proof yet again that it’s not what you look like, but rather who dresses you that really matters….and that ingenuity and valor go hand in hand. Valor is in you. Set it free.