39' Van Dam Zuiderzee Workboat (1917) - MS JAN DE WIT

Former Parlevinker working for the MUZ (Society for the Implementation of the Zuiderzee Works).
The famous Afsluitdijk and the Wieringermeerpolder were built here in the Netherlands.
Built in 1917. Sailed from Harlingen and Bedum to the work islands, to the dredgers and sand dredgers with foodstuffs, tools and men.
Specially built for the short waves of the Zuiderzee, now IJsselmeer.
Around 1936 (end of work) converted into a ‘yacht’. Restored (2004) by current owner under supervision of professional naval historians and former museum director to obtain the title Sailing Monument.
The current owner saved the ship (Ms Jan de Wit) from drowning, there was water in the hold, there were holes on the waterline and the wood was rotten. Only the 6 cylinder all Fuell engine (Continental 427A) was still intact.
The official certificate of measurement is in the possession of the owner, the owner has also spoken to almost all previous owners after much research.
In any case, all owners after WWII have actually been on board after the restoration. In addition, we spoke with both grandsons (80 and 82) of the first owner/skipper.
The 100th anniversary of the sailing monument in 2017 was celebrated twice: in Paris in l’Arsenal, under the Bastille and in ‘s-Hertogenbosch at ‘Maritiem ‘s-Hertogenbosch’, a biennial maritime event in the south of the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, the ship has been on national TV several times and a special (SAIL Amsterdam) of the ship was made by the Japanese national TV. (to see at Facebook site of Jan de Wit.)
De Jan de Wit is a well-known guest at historical events.