The Rebirth of Skuutje WR60: The rescue of an 1840 Dutch herring boat

摘要

Until midway through the 19th century, almost all commodities coming to and from The Netherlands were transported via wooden ships and boats. Roads were scarce in coastal regions, so the numerous waterways were filled with vessels of all sizes and descriptions, among them fishing boats working constantly. In the northern Netherlands, one type of herring boat, the skuutje, was so common that its very name is an old Dutch word that translates simply as "small ship." Despite the slow disappearance of the type after the middle of the 19th century, one skuutje survives on the former island of Wieringen, near the fishing harbor of Den Oever. This last skuutje, WR60, has been restored over the past several years as a reminder of a rich history.