MBT Hasselt barge (19th century) – Construction drawing, scale 1:75 (10.05.009)

The Hasselt barge is a traditional type of flat-bottomed vessel that was built in the Hasselt region of Overijssel in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These vessels were mainly used to transport bulk goods such as peat, sand and reeds along the inland waterways of the Netherlands.

Characteristics of the Hasselt barge

Year of construction: From around 1880 to the early 20th century.

Length: Often between 20 and 25 metres.

Width: Approximately 4.5 metres.

Load capacity: Up to 60 tonnes.

Hull: Full and round, with a flat bottom and a steep stern.

Rigging: Mainsail, jib and foresail.

Accommodation: Often a deckhouse or deck cabin with sleeping quarters for the skipper’s family.

Material: Originally wood; later also steel or iron

Development and use

The Hasselt barge was built at shipyards in and around Hasselt, such as the Mittendorf shipyard. These vessels were suited to the shallow and narrow waterways in the region and were often used to transport peat from the peatlands to towns along the rivers. In summer, they often carried reeds or sand.

With the rise of motorised vessels in the 20th century, the use of the Hasselt barge declined. Many vessels were converted or scrapped

Preservation and heritage

Today, a few Hasselt barges have been preserved, often in private ownership. For example, the ‘Twee Gebroeders’ from 1902 and the ‘Linquenda’ from 1910 are still in use and maintained as sailing heritage.erfgoedhavensrotterdam.nl+1erfgoedhavensrotterdam.nl+1

In addition, there are model builders who have reconstructed the Hasselt barge in scale models, such as the ‘ANNIGJE’

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