History
Peat for the island Vlieland
In september 1905 the Luctor et Emergo was built at Barkmeijer
in the Frisian Sneek. An iron tjalk without an engine and with
sails as a form of propulsion. Thirty years later the vessel
was given a name “The Zuiderzee” by his new owner.
She was sailing for decades along the shores of Dutch rivers
following the inland waterways. Back then the vessel was loaded
with timber, peat and sand. The last one was for instance used
to build roads at the Dutch island Wieringen. The peat –
as a soil for the forests on the island Vlieland.
Wooden Hatches
The skipper and his mate used to load the cargo through
the hatches – the wooden/ steel openings in the deck
of the vessel. They are still to be seen from the saloon.
At the rear of the vessel you will find an aft cabin where
the skipper, his wife and their two daughters lived during
the Second World War. In the front cabin the mate still has
his sleeping quarter.
The lame arm
During the Second World War the vessel repeatedly came under
fire, and was even forced to lay hidden near the town of Drachten.
For many years the Zuiderzee sailed aided by a quaint propeller
that was placed on the side of the ship, dubbed “a lame
arm” which was mainly to give additional maneuvering
capacity. For tens of years the ship was a motorized freighter,
until an enthusiast bought it and turned it back into a sailing
ship.
Old routes new cargo
With a bit of a higher mast and a large sailing surface The
Zuiderzee sails the old routes with the new cargo: guests
on board. The colours on the ship are still original, same
as the deckhouse and the wooden hatches. The deckhouse is
transformed into cozy saloon with central heating and warm
water.
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Passengers: 18 night 34 day
