Dutch K XI Submarine (1925-1946) discovered off Wadjemup Rottnest Island, Perth
Author/s Patrick Morrison, David Jackson, Andrew Oakeley, Aurora Philpin, Martijn Manders, Ross Anderson
Year of publication 2025
Report Number: 356
On January 1st 2025, the wreck of Dutch submarine HNLMS K XI was discovered off Wadjemup Rottnest island by Andrew Oakeley (WreckSploration), David Jackson (Diving WA Shipwrecks) and Patrick Morrison (WA Museum). The wreck was located using aerial magnetometry data provided by Alasdair Cook and lies at a depth of 40 meters, approximately 7.8 nautical miles south of Wadjemup and nearly 3 nautical miles southeast of the boundary of the designated Rottnest Deepwater Graveyard. Photogrammetric recording by WreckSploration revealed the submarine is in good condition on the seafloor, and substantially buried – with many of the many features still visible, including torpedo tubes, hatches, and the connection point for the now-removed conning tower. HNLMS K XI is a protected shipwreck site, holding significant historical value as a record of WWII cooperation between Allied forces from Australia and the Netherlands.
