If you are still looking for something to read during the summer holidays, two new books have recently been published that may be of interest to lovers of Dutch shipbuilding history.

In June, “Duistere Werfjaren: De Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde tijdens de Duitse bezetting” by Vlissingen resident Cor Heijkoop was published. Growing up in De Rooie Buurt, behind the current Damen Naval headquarters, the amateur historian heard many war stories from Schelde employees. During the Second World War, the Royal Schelde shipyard came under German supervision. The shipyard remained open and worked on orders for the occupying forces. But what was the role of the Schelde management and how much resistance was there among the employees?

As a child, Cor Heijkoop wrote down the stories he heard, and years later he began collecting them for his new book. During his research into the war years at the shipyard, he spoke with former employees and their family members. He also delved into the Schelde archives stored at the Zeeuws Archief. On 6 June, the book was officially presented at Museum Scheldewerf. During the event, the play “The Defence: Collaboration or Bravery? The Dilemma of a Schelde Director” was also performed. This monologue was written by Rens Schot of Stichting Valreep and performed by Mels Hoogenboom.

>> “Duistere Werfjaren: De Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde tijdens de Duitse bezetting” (€29.95) is available at Boekhandel ‘t Spui and Museum Scheldewerf, among other places.

New book about Royal Rotterdam Lloyd launched
In May, the book “Rotterdamsche Lloyd: Mijmeringen over een illustere en dierbare scheepsvaartmaatschappij” was published, featuring stories from crew and passengers. Author Ed van Lierde is a former helmsman of the Royal Rotterdam Lloyd and founder of the former Royal Rotterdam Lloyd Museum and the current Royal Rotterdam Lloyd Heritage Foundation (known as ‘Lloyd-Atelier’ for short).

Royal Rotterdam Lloyd (in Dutch, Koninklijke Rotterdamsche Lloyd), led by the well-known Ruys shipping family, played an important role in Dutch shipping history. According to the description, the book offers ‘a unique, emotional cocktail of maritime history, the experiences of passengers and crew, the structured (and at that time still convivial) life on board, and the mystique of sailing with and for a special Dutch shipowner’.

>> “Rotterdamsche Lloyd: Mijmeringen over een illustere en dierbare scheepsvaartmaatschappij” (€34.50) can be ordered via Lloydexpo19@gmail.com.

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