OOSTERSCHELDE tall ship

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a three masted auxiliary cargo vessel, schooner rigged by H. Appelo & Zonen, Zwartsluis, Netherlands for the Hollandse Algemeene Atlantische Scheepvaart (H.A.A.S) at Rotterdam.
1917 her keel was laid down.
1918 Launched as OOSTERSCHELDE. Named after where the River Scheldt splits in Westerschelde and Oosterschelde in the Netherlands.
Tonnage 269 grt, 191 net. Dim. 36.38 (bpp) x 7.49 x 3.29m.
One 2-cyl oil engine, manufactured by Motorenfabriek “Industrie” at Alphen a/d Rijn, Netherlands, 77 nhp., speed ?
1918 completed.

After completion used as a tramp vessel, carrying all kinds of cargo along the European coast and Mediterranean.

1921 Sold to Captain owner W.Kramer, Groningen, not renamed.
1930 Unrigged and only used as a motorized cargo vessel.
1939 Sold to Rederie Fuglen II at Æroskøbing, Denmark, renamed FUGLEN II, at that time she was one of the most modernised ships in the Danish merchant marine

1954 Sold to Sam Petterson, Skärhamn Sweden and renamed SYLVAN.
Tonnage given as 287 gross, 198 net, 350 dwt.
One 4-cyl. oil engine, manufactured by Frederikshavns Jernst & Msk., hp?. When engine was changed not given, but under Swedish flag she was converted in 1970 to a modern motor coaster primarily used in the Baltic.
Denis Inberg at Skärhamn bought the SYLVIAN later, not renamed.

1988 Bought by Captain Dick van Andel and again renamed in OOSTERSCHELDE.
The intention was to restore her to her former glory. After through historical research and intensive contact with the last Dutch captain of the ship Jan Kramer a restoration plan was made.
The Rotterdam Sailing Foundation Ship was founded to raise the money for the restoration.
Spring 1990 the restoration commenced, and took place in Leeuwarden and Rotterdam.

21 August 1992 she was commissioned by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.

She is now one of the last remaining 3 masted topsail schooners which have served under Dutch flag at the beginning of the 20th century.
Tonnage 226 gross, 93 net, dim. 40.12 x 7.50 x 3.40m.
Rigged as a 3-masted topsail schooner.
Accommodation for 6 crew and 24 trainees or guests, during daytrips she can carry 120 guests.
Sail area 891 square meters.
1 Auxiliary 6-cyl Deutz engine, 360 hp.
Owned by Oosterschelde B.V. Rotterdam. Homeport Rotterdam

To earn her upkeep she carried now paying passengers.
In 1994 she made a voyage to Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic.
From October 1996 till April 1998 she made a voyage around the world visiting Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Cape Horn and the Antarctic.
During 1999/2000 she made a long voyage to South and North America and the Caribbean.
During 2002/2003 in the austral summer she visited the Antarctic again.

2010 Still in service same name and owners, IMO No 5347221.

Netherlands 2000 80c sg?, scott
Bermuda 2017 1.55c sg?, scott?

Source: The Driemastschoener Oosterschelde by Frits Loomeijer. Great Sailing Ships of the World by Otmar Schauffelen and various web-sites.

[john sefton]

Marking the triumphant finale of a 43,000 nautical-mile odyssey; a magnificent Dutch tall ship sailed into Tower Bridge Quay on 25 July 2025. The Oosterschelde has spent the last two years sailing the globe on the DARWIN200 voyage. The rather colossal journey saw this beautifully-restored ship transform into a floating classroom that retraced Charles Darwin’s historic ports of call, training over 100 next-generation leaders as it did so.
Over 600 guest crew members were on board, alongside 105 young environmental ‘Darwin Leaders‘ from across 45 different countries. Together with various scientists, NGOs and filmmakers; the team have safeguarded more than 100 vulnerable species and ecosystems over the past two years. They also shared weekly live science broadcasts with tens of thousands of school children.
The enormous expedition was inspired Charles Darwin’s journey aboard the HMS Beagle. It’s managed to reignite public interest in Darwin’s legacy, whist being a pivotal catalyst for urgent action across the world. The oh-so impressive Oosterschelde is the largest historic sailing ship ever restored in the Netherlands, spanning 50 metres in length and boasting a 36 metre mast. The vessel has journeyed from England to Australia and back again in the last two years, stopping at more than 55 countries across 5 continents on route.