Melkschuit near the Schreierstoren, Amsterdam, ca. 1870
This milk boat from Waterland is leaving the jetty next to the entrance of the Gelderse Kade (Gelder Quay) in Amsterdam. This painting shows the situation in front of the city before the Central Station was built on a large artificial island, that blocked the magnificent view over the broad water in front of the town. Fishermen are unloading their rowing boats with their fresh catch, transported in big round baskets that they dragged through the water to keep the fish alive. In the background stands the 'Schreierstoren' once a tower in the old city wall of the town.
The milk boat is heading home to the other side of the IJ, as the broad water and anchorage for the big ships at right was called. Waterland was the green region north of Amsterdam where the dairy farmers produced the milk for the citizens of the city. Every day, early in the morning, the farmers and milkmaids rowed and sailed the milk across the IJ, which could take several hours when the wind was light or blowing contra.
The rig of the milk boats was very versatile. The triangular sails could easily be rolled around the masts that had no stays. The masts were lowered with ease and so the boats could pass the bridges on the way to the milk markets in town.
This type of boat was in use for more than 300 years, until steam ferries took over around 1900.
Painting by the Amsterdam painter J.A. Rust, ca. 1870, private collection
Melkschuit near the Schreierstoren, Amsterdam, ca. 1870
This milk boat from Waterland is leaving the jetty next to the entrance of the Gelderse Kade (Gelder Quay) in Amsterdam. This painting shows the situation in front of the city before the Central Station was built on a large artificial island, that blocked the magnificent view over the broad water in front of the town. Fishermen are unloading their rowing boats with their fresh catch, transported in big round baskets that they dragged through the water to keep the fish alive. In the background stands the 'Schreierstoren' once a tower in the old city wall of the town.
The milk boat is heading home to the other side of the IJ, as the broad water and anchorage for the big ships at right was called. Waterland was the green region north of Amsterdam where the dairy farmers produced the milk for the citizens of the city. Every day, early in the morning, the farmers and milkmaids rowed and sailed the milk across the IJ, which could take several hours when the wind was light or blowing contra.
The rig of the milk boats was very versatile. The triangular sails could easily be rolled around the masts that had no stays. The masts were lowered with ease and so the boats could pass the bridges on the way to the milk markets in town.
This type of boat was in use for more than 300 years, until steam ferries took over around 1900.
Painting by the Amsterdam painter J.A. Rust, ca. 1870, private collection