The Delfshaven area in P&O’s Dutch port city Rotterdam

This is another one for all of you who are into their ships and maritime history: At a shipyard in Rotterdam, a warship that sank during the 18th century is being rebuilt, piece by piece, under the gaze of the public.

De Delft was part of the Dutch navy and used to protect merchant ships in European waters, as well as on a few missions against slave traders. It was captured by the British (who were at war with the Batavian Republic – a brief Dutch republic proclaimed after a coup d’etat in 1795 – at the time) in October 1797 and sank a few days later.

Some pieces of the De Delft shipwreck were found in 1977, and reconstruction started in 2001. The replica is still being built today, and visitors can pop down to the shipyard and admire the craft involved in re-building an historic warship to its original proportions (63m length, 57m height).

The reconstruction is being carried out by volunteers and students, and the ship isn’t expected to be fully restored for another few years. Nevertheless, it is a hugely impressive sight and you could do worse on your next P&O Ferries visit to Rotterdam than to check out the surrounding exhibitions and film presentation.

There are also guided tours offering information about the ship’s history and the process of reconstruction.

As it happens, the area surrounding the shipyard, Delfshaven, is a lovely part of the city to have a wander around afterwards, so you can sit down in a bar after viewing the De Delft.

P&O Ferries is offering minicruises from Hull to Rotterdam for only £72 per person. Go to P&O Ferries minicruises to check out the offer and book your trip to Rotterdam.

Image credit: JeHu68

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