Trekschuit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trekschuit, literal translation 'tugboat', is an old style of barge common in the Netherlands for centuries as a means of passenger traffic between cities along 'trekvaarts', or pull-canals. The Dutch train lines today follow many old pull-canal systems that were once busy trekschuit routes. In 2007 the old trekschuit route Leiden-Haarlem canal (Leidsevaart) will celebrate its 350th birthday.
The first trekschuit 'sailed' in 1632 between Amsterdam and Haarlem and could carry 30 passengers. The 'trekvaart' or canal was dug especially in a straight line to guarantee the shortest route. The passengers needed to step out and change boats in Halfweg, which means 'halfway'. This is how the town of Halfweg was formed. Because of the enormous success of this Haarlemmertrekvaart, the service was extended from Haarlem to Leiden in 1657. 40 years later later an ingenious network of trekschuit- and ferry services linked all of the important cities in the coastal provinces of the Netherlands. Travel by trekschuit was reliable, comfortable and cheap. The speed was about 7 kilometers per hour, which was faster than walking, and more comfortable than by coach. Many foreigners praised the advantages of the system, leading to the introduction of canals such as the Erie canal in the US. The boats were pulled along by horse on the 'jaagpad', the towpath, and the horse was accompanied by a 'jager', the tower.
The rise of the steam locomotive in the 19th century caused the decline of the trekschuit and today many of the canals are defunct and no longer navigable.
