HNLMS "Zuiderkruis" was a Royal Netherlands Navy auxiliary ship. Originally constructed for the Government Navy, she was transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1938. Laid down as a cable layer with the option for quick conversion to auxiliary cruiser, she came equipped with mounts that would allow the installation of two cannons and facilities to accommodate two floatplanes.
Upon her transfer to the Navy, she was converted to a supply ship serving as submarine- and seaplane tender and be recommissioned in March 1939.
Service history.
"Zuiderkruis" served throughout the Second World War. After the fall of Java, the ship escaped through Tjilatjap to Ceylon where she served the rest of the war with the British Eastern Fleet.
After the war ended, "Zuiderkruis" returned to the Dutch East Indies and served there until 1947 when she was be rebuilt as a survey vessel. In 1950 she was transferred to the Indonesian Navy and renamed "Bimasakti". She served as the flagship of the Indonesian Navy until being scrapped in 1952.