[Sidenote: II 224]
[Sidenote: II 227]
It is hard for the present generation to imagine that, 60 years
ago, the “Trekschuit” was still the only means of locomotion of the
period. Who would now think of going in a “Trekschuit” from the Hague
to Schevening or back where so many electric trams cross each other
everywhere? And yet, the “Trekschuiten” have played an important part
in our “country of water” and there are still some regions where these
boats are in use. The “Trekschuiten”, properly so called, could be
divided into two classes, those with a sloping but straight stem and
those with a curved stem.
[Sidenote: III 77]
[Sidenote: III 79]
[Sidenote: III 80]
The first, which are almost entirely like the Westlanders, while being
of a little more massive construction, are found particularly in North
and South Holland and to the West of Utrecht. The old engravings show
that these boats have changed little in the course of the centuries;
the water tight cabin being the only serious modification which they
have undergone.
[Sidenote: III 78]
They are still frequently met with as “Pakschuiten”, of which the vivid
colors (green, white, red) immediately attract the eyes.
The second class of these boats, which have curved stems, are of more
elegant shape. They are known by the name of “Barges” or “Trekjachten”,
and are found especially in the North of our country, in North Holland,
Groningen, Friesland. Their bows and sterns are quite full (like the
“hoys”) and make one think rather of the old yachts, fined down a
little, from which they are certainly descended.