Sea and Harbor Museum honors Merchant Marine
The IJmuider Zee- en Havenmuseum opened a long-term exhibition on eleven Amsterdam shipping companies after 1876 earlier this year. This also gave the Merchant Navy its own room in the building: the Koopvaardijzaal.
The ships of these Amsterdam shipping companies were always a familiar sight in the North Sea Canal, between the piers and in the locks of IJmuiden on their journeys to and from Amsterdam since 1876, the year of the opening of the North Sea Canal. Also, many IJmuiden residents sailed for shipping companies such as KNSM, KHL, SMN, KPM, KJCPL, HWAL, HSM, NSMO, SMO, the Rederij Amsterdam or still work for the Spliethoff Group. Reason for the museum to highlight these Amsterdam shipping companies in the opening exhibition of the new Koopvaardijzaal.
Beautiful ship models
The exhibition shows the rise and prosperity of each shipping company by means of beautiful ship models, digital presentations, utensils, many photos of the ships of the shipping companies and their permanent moorings at the Java and KNSM Island in Amsterdam. Also told is the for many unknown but important role of the Dutch Merchant Navy in World War II including stories of survivors, sailing duty, convoy sailing and Liberty ships. Through the efforts of thousands of seafarers, the Allies were able to win the war. Other topics in the revamped hall include the ranks and stripes of seafarers, shipyards (after 1876) in Amsterdam East and North, maritime training and the loading and unloading of general cargo from the ships before the rise of containers.
Fishing hall renewed
Much work has been done at the museum to redesign the fishing rooms. These two rooms have been merged into one with clear explanations of the development of fishing, fishing techniques, fish processing and life on board. The result is a fishery hall with a surprisingly new layout and a fresh look. An extra reason to come visit the museum and see the result with your own eyes.
