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The Amsterdam Harbor
During the so-called "Golden Century " (1600-1700) Amsterdam was one of the richest cities in Western Europe. This was the result of the trade monopoly of VOC (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie = United East Indies Company) in the Asian- and more specific the Indonesian (a former Dutch colony) trade. The Amsterdam harbor was the center of this trade. The Amsterdam Port was entered from the "Zuiderzee" (the current "IJsselmeer" ) in the east. Later when ships became large and thus had more draught; too much for the rather shallow "Zuiderzee" another solution was needed. And thus early 19th century ,from "Den Helder" a port in the north, a canal to Amsterdam was dug, the "Noord-Hollands Canal". Later that century, time became money, an even shorter way to the North sea was needed and directly westward the "Noordzee-Canal" became the shortest route to sea via IJmuiden port. The "Merwede-Canal" (the current Amsterdam-Rhine Canal) connects Amsterdam with the large rivers in the east. All harbor activities are now concentrated in the western harbor area, but until the sixties of last century the emphasis laid for three hundred years on the downtown Amsterdam and the eastern harbor area. The KNSM The Koninklijke Nederlandse Stoomboot Maatschappij (Royal Dutch Steamship Company) was founded in 1856. The first ship, the "Ondine" visited the Baltic Sea area, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland Russia etc. Later the "Levant" trade, the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea Became more important and even later the trade routes to Asia and Surinam. During its peak more than 100 ships wore the KNSM flag. In 1956, with many splendors, the 100-year anniversary took place. But the decline had already, with the loss of Indonesia as a colony, set in. Things went downhill very rapidly and the shift from mixed goods trade to container transport became the coup de grâce for the KNSM. Early eighties of last century the company, which did not possess any ships any more, was taken over by the Rotterdam Lloyd. The KNSM Island In the early days of the KNSM the quay at Kattenburg was used. Later on the company moved to the "Oostelijke Handelskade". To protect the moored ships from waves with strong north- and north-west winds a protective dam north of the Oostelijke Handelskade was constructed in 1876. This was the beginning of the island. When the shipping companies grew bigger over the years and thus a need for larger mooring capacity became urgent it was decided upon changing the former dam into artificial island with a connection to the mainland. The construction started in 1900. The northern part of the island is now known as KNSM-Island and the southern part as JAVA-Island. Strictly spoken is this incorrect. It simply is one island with two parts with different names. As was the case with the Oostelijke Handelskade north of KNSM Island protective wooden quays were constructed. After the island lost its original function they were removed. |
Still left is a little island north of KNSM-Island which originally was used for calibrating of compasses. Also in 1956 the "Compass-hall" was designed in Loods 6 (shack #6). This hall with a large mural and inlaid compass roses on the floor became the departure hall for passengers because the management thought it inappropriate to let the passengers walk through the shack. This hall is now a part of the "Open Haven Museum"Harbor Museum. After the KNSM left the island early 1982 the buildings, shacks and cranes awaited their further discomposure. But not for long because squatters, artists and city-nomads took possession of the island; lock, stock and barrel. Alas the cranes didn't survive this period. The current museum crane originates from the "Oostelijke Handelskade". It was transported from there to its current place in 1989. Early eighties the city council contemplated changing the island into a housing area but it took till early 1990 before the area was developed. For the KNSM-Island architect Jo Coenen was appointed to develop a master plan for the urban planning an d development of the island. He also designed the buildings on the eastern end of the island. Other architects who designed several buildings were Wintermans & Wintermans (four buildings on the north side), Kolhoff & Rapp (Piraeus) , Alberts (Barcelona) and Arets (Sky Tower). Some old KNSM buildings were converted into apartments but all shacks were, with the exception of "Loods 6" demolished. KNSM-Island is almost finished. At this moment the last new building designed by Diener & Diener from Zurich is build right alongside the connecting road to the mainland. The Harbor Museum When early eighties squatters took possession of "Loods 6" they were surprised to discover a beautifully designed interior, with a kitchen designed as a ships galley and the "Compass Hall" with pillars, beautiful lamps and a floor with inlaid compass roses. They soon decided this to preserve as a landmark to be admired by future generations. A foundation was legally formed and later the board established the Harbor Museum. Up to date volunteers and temporary employees on a project basis run the museum. For the future there are plans to build a Museum Harbor at the north quay of the island with, again, a protective dam. There are options for ancient vessels like a submarine and a lightship. The board is also raising funds for the restoration of the museum crane. A sum of ƒ 100,000 (about US $ 40,000) is needed. For a modest fee the "Compass Hall" can be used for all kind of parties. Even a formal wedding is possible.
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