[Sidenote: III 108]
The “Keen” when entirely open is called a _Lahnaak_ (ake of the Lahn);
its size has been increased of late years. When vessels of this kind
have nearly vertical sides, blunt bow and stern, and smooth planking
they are known as a _Slof_.
[Sidenote: III 109]
One of the characteristics of the “Sloffen” is that they always carry
at the bow a narrow cabin which rises a little above the deck of the
boat. The “Sloffen” have been closed in of late years with hatch
covers, and then they are called simply “Akes”. The boatmen even call
the “Slof” sometimes the “Mulmsche Aak”. (Mülheim ake).
[Sidenote: III 110]
A very strongly built boat, which dates only from the second half of
the XIXth century, must also be mentioned as belonging to the first
group: the _Bunder_. This boat is shaped like a “Dorstensche Aak”, but
it is carvel built and is covered in with hatch covers.
[Sidenote: III 102]
[Sidenote: III 104]
Finally, these must still be mentioned among the boats of our country
the “’s Gravenmoersche Aak” which made its appearance at ’s Gravenmoer
in the XIXth century and which came from the Upper Rhine to be used at
the Biesbosch. Boats of this category were provided originally with
“Klaphekken”, a special rudder which later has been sometimes done away
with, either because it was too long or because it was not sufficiently
strong, and which has been replaced by an ordinary rudder. They
resemble the “Lahnaak” and are used especially for carrying hay. The
coming of iron and steel will cause these boats, like so many others to
disappear.
In order to avoid confusion, it is necessary to dwell upon the fact
that some Dutch Akes have been provided later with false stems, which
gives them the appearance of “Stevenschepen” but which, does not make
them so.