TJALK

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aukepalmhof
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Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:28 am

TJALK

Post by aukepalmhof » Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:25 pm

Netherland issued in 1976 two stamps for Project Zuiderzee of which the 40c shows us a stylised “tjalk”, what was used as a sailing cargo vessel in the Netherlands.
The design is very unclear, but I found a drawing on the web-site of the Museum of Communication in La Hague, Netherlands after which the stamp was designed, which clearly shows us that a tjalk is depict on the stamp. http://www.postzegelontwerpen.nl
More info on Project Zuiderzee is given by Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuiderzee_Works
Netherland 1976 40c sg1252 (Stanley Gibbons give also that a tjalk is depict)

The “tjalk” is a collective term for a number of flatbottomed vessels with rounded ends in the Netherlands. Mainly inland freight carriers but there were also sea-tjalks. Some were converted to yachts.
The first time she was mentioned in officially Friesian documents was in 1673. Constructed from wood till the end of the 20th century then mostly built of iron or steel.
Full rounded bow and stern with tumble home top strake along the sides and strong tumble home at ends. Stem curved with a gripe below the waterline; stem wide ended in an angled point.Straight almost vertical sternpost. Wide, flat bottom with shallow or heavy plank keel; rounded bilgesd and sides. Amount of sheer varies, but is higher at the bow.; greater sheer on early vessels and those working open waters.; low freeboard when loaded. Rubbing strakes may phase out at the ends.. Long wide leeboards; strong outboard rudder; massive tiller; on some the tiller came in blow a triangular helmpost Decked with a deckhouse aft. Two hatches one forward of the mast and the main hatch abaft the mast.
She carried a single pole-mast which could be lowered when passing bridges. Bezan rigged.
Length between 11 – 36m, length to beam ratio 3.5-4.1, shallow draft.

Source: Aak to Zumbra a dictionary of the World’s Watercraft http://www.spesmea.nl/en/hull_and_rigging.htm
Attachments
tjalk-rigging-texts.jpg
stampdesign tjalk.png
Image (47).jpg

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