The Oosterschelde is a three masted schooner
from the Netherlands, built in 1918. She is the largest restored
Dutch freight ship and the only remaining Dutch three masted topsail
schooner, of which there were hundreds in the early 20th century.
Her home port is Rotterdam.
As a freighter with a capacity of 400 tons, she transported
mainly clay, stone and wood, but also herring, bran, potatoes, straw
and bananas. In the 1930's a heavier diesel engine was installed and
some sail-rigging was removed (including the aft mast). In 1939 she
was sold to a Danish shipping company and, rebaptised Fuglen,
became one of the most modern ships in the Danish fleet. In 1954 she
was sold to a Swede, renamed Sylvan and thoroughly rebuilt to
a modern motorized coaster.
In 1988 she was brought back to the Netherlands. She had
always been maintained well, but restoration to the original state
turned out too expensive for private funding. So a foundation
collected money from various sources, partly by selling shares in
the ship. Restoration lasted from 1990 to 1992, with the help of her
last Dutch captain, Jan Kramer, and three maritime museums, to
ensure authenticity. From 1996 through 1998 she made a trip
around the world. Maintenance is paid for through paying passengers
and company presentations.Specifications:
Length: 50 m Width: 7,5 m Mast height: 36 m Depth:
2,95 m Sail surface: 891 mē
Engine: Deutz 6 cylinder, 360 hp Crew: 4 to 8 (+ room
for 24 passengers, up to 120 for daytrips) Huts: 8 x 2 person,
2 x 4 person |
