[Sidenote: III 46]
The _Boeierschuit_ belongs to the family of the “Boeiers” or
“Kromstevens” above mentioned, but it is smaller and also somewhat
like the ordinary “Schuiten”, whence comes probably the name
of “Boeierschuiten” given to these vessels. The stern carries a
“draai-over-boord”, often with a poop deck. The Boeierschuiten have
one characteristic and that is a sort of cockpit where the helmsman
stands in order to handle easily the tiller. This cockpit is often met
with among the _Boeieraken_. The “Boeierschuiten” are found in South
Holland, Zeeland and Flanders.
Shipbuilding was also early developed in Flanders. Let us mention only
ancient Damme and Antwerp, and we shall not be surprised that the types
of vessels found there resembled those of our country. Let us mention,
in the first place, among them,
The _Pleiten_ and the _Otterschepen_ which are also to be found in the
North-West of Northern Brabant.