[Sidenote: III 51]
The “Pleit” is a very old boat, often spoken of in history. It was seen
trading with England. It had about the same capacity as our “hoy”, of
which it had the shape except that the length was proportionally a
little greater as compared with the breadth. Hence this vessel appeared
longer than the “hoy”. Its lines also were graceful. Its dimensions
were: length, 23 to 27 metres; breadth, 4.80 m. to 5.00 m.; maximum
draught of water, 1.90 m., capacity from 125 to 180 tons.
These vessels are now built larger; their length reaches 35 m.; their
beam, 5.00 m.; their draught 0.40 m. light and 2.00 m. loaded; they
carry 270 tons.
These boats are wrongly called _Bélandres Hollandais_ in Belgium, from
the newer inland boats called “bélandres” of which more will be said
later.
These latter have no affinity with the “Pleit.” (See ~Dehem~, _Annales
des Travaux Publics_, August 1901, p. 508).
The “Pleit” has a “statie”. It is curious to observe that the “Pleiten”
of to-day are rigged very lightly considering their length. Formerly
they had two masts.