| Page Views: 248 Last Visit to Neeltje Jans: September, 2007 | Luctor Et Emergo by 36waterfalls - last update: Sep 20, 2007 |
"I struggle and rise", the motto of the Dutch Province of Zeeland (Sea-Land!). Zeeland is the most south-western province of the Netherlands, consisting of islands and water; a vulnerable combination.
Ever since the Romans occupied the Lowlands in the 1st century, mankind has been fighting the water. Roman statues of Nehallenia (Goddess of the Sea) have been found in this area.
Floods were not unusual and over the centuries many people lost their life to the water. Dykes were invented to keep the sea at bay, but even that couldn't prevent the huge disaster that took place in 1953.
A huge 20 hours North Western storm had the North Sea water rise to 4.20 meter above sea level. The Zeeland dykes couldn't handle this much water and gaps appeared. Eventually the dyke broke in the night of February 1, 1953 and in no time 200.000 hectares of land and villages were flooded. The result: 1835 people were drown, 72.000 had to evacuate, over 200.000 cows, horses, pigs and more cattle were drown, over 47.000 buildings were damaged.
After this disaster a plan was developed to close off certain rivermouths and put barriers into place. This huge project is known as "The Delta Works". The Oosterschelde Storm Surge Barrier on Neeltje Jans is one tiny piece of the whole project. |
|  | . . Neeltje Jans is an artificial island, built as a workstation to prepare the parts that were used to construct the Oosterschelde Storm Surge Barrier. Dutch engineers spent over 20 years to develop and built a project that would amaze the world. A huge barrier was built in the sweetwater Oosterschelde to protect the land against the saltwater North Sea. However, the barrier was to stay open, so ships could still sail in, while a special system kept sweet and salt divided. The structure has raised steel doors that can be closed within an hour when the water rises. Thus heavy storms are turned and the land is safe from flooding. The picture to the left was taken from the Deltaworks website, an interesting site if you'd like to read more or watch some short videos on the whole project. |
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| In A Nutshell: | "An Awesome Way To Get To Know The Dutch And Their Fight Against The Water" |
36waterfalls' Neeltje Jans Travel Tips
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 Comments for 36waterfalls about Neeltje Jans | | | | |
Nemorino Wed Mar 19, 2008 13:51 UTC
Fine photos and tips on this masterpiece of engineering. Thanks for including the informative update about the storm of 8 November 2007 -- glad to hear the system still worked perfectly on that day. | penumbra Wed Nov 14, 2007 00:55 UTC
The storm surge barrier is an engineering marvel. | pikuu Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:53 UTC
Hi Linda! I virtually walked with you across the historical town of Dordrecht. Now I was taken by you to the Neeltje - other Netherlands showplace. And you presented other face of your country: nature and technologies. Thanx for that :)) Superb page! | Britannia2 Sun Sep 30, 2007 20:50 UTC
We love Zeeland - your pages are very welcome. |
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