Steam weekend
Step back in time during the Steam Weekend at the Maritime Museum Harbor. On Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, historic ships, cranes, and machines take center stage as you experience how the Port of Rotterdam once operated, hissing and powered by steam.
Do we see you there?
The Pieter Boele, Dockyard V, Stadsgraanzuiger 19, and Volharding 1 will be under steam and ready for demonstrations on the water. The special guest vessel, the steam dredger Friesland, will also be on display during the weekend.
Experience the history of the Port of Rotterdam from the water during one of the historic cruises on the Nieuwe Maas and sail past Rotterdam’s iconic landmarks.
Come watch, listen, and experience the atmosphere as machines turn, whistles blow, and volunteers share stories about Rotterdam’s maritime past.
Steam-powered ships and vessels
Enjoy the steamships and vessels from the quay. Especially for this weekend, they will be brought back to life under steam.
The historic steam dredger was built in 1935 and used for dredging canals, including the Prinses Margriet Canal and the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal. The Friesland originally operated on coal and was later converted to oil firing.
After many years of service, the Friesland was nearly scrapped in 1988, but the vessel was saved and preserved as a piece of sailing heritage. Today, this historic steam dredger can still be admired in operational condition.
The Pieter Boele is part of our collection, although its home port is Dordrecht. This Rhine steam tugboat from 1893 was designed to tow barges along the Upper Rhine. The Pieter Boele was one of the last steam tugboats before being replaced in 1965 by the rise of push boats.
The Dockyard V is one of the robust steam tugboats of the Rotterdam Dry Dock Company (RDM) and around 1950 served as a true workhorse of the Port of Rotterdam. The tugboat was originally built for a Russian client, but due to the Second World War it remained in Rotterdam. Afterwards, the vessel was used for towing seagoing ships and newly built vessels from the RDM shipyard. The Dockyard V also transported personnel to ships in the harbor, earning it the nickname “service bicycle.”
The Stadsgraanzuiger 19 is a historic grain elevator used for loading and unloading dry bulk cargo such as grain, seeds, and rice. Using a steam engine and powerful air pumps, cargo was sucked out of ships and transferred elsewhere. Although the arrival of these machines around 1900 initially caused unrest among dockworkers, the faster cargo handling ultimately created more work in the Port of Rotterdam.
The Volharding 1 is one of the last Dutch steam tugboats fired by coal. The vessel features a powerful triple-expansion steam engine. The same type of engine that was used in the famous Titanic.
Originally, the tugboat sailed under the name Harmonie 6 on the Rhine toward the Ruhr region. In 1951, the vessel came to Rotterdam, where it was converted into a harbor tugboat and renamed Volharding 1. The ship remained active in the Port of Rotterdam until 1967.
Step aboard
Take a look aboard the historic ships Annigje and Gruno and discover how skippers once lived and worked. Walk through the small living quarters, listen to stories from inland shipping, and experience life on the water up close.
Hasselter Aak Annigje – discover life on board
The Annigje is a historic sailing vessel dating back to 1908. On board, you’ll discover how inland waterway skippers lived and worked around 1900. The ship is still sailing today and has been preserved in an almost completely authentic state. Step aboard and experience life from the past.
Groningen Tjalk Gruno – learn all about sailor’s knots
On board the historic tjalk Gruno, you can learn how to tie traditional maritime knots, such as the figure-eight knot and the bowline. With the help of volunteers, you’ll get hands-on experience yourself. The Gruno sailed throughout the Netherlands until 1972 and offers a glimpse into how skippers once lived and worked aboard a traditional cargo vessel.
Sail through Rotterdam’s harbor history
Experience the history of the Port of Rotterdam during a historic cruise on the Nieuwe Maas. On Saturday, step aboard the Pieter Boele, or join the Dockyard V on Sunday for a unique voyage.
Along the way, you will pass landmarks such as the Erasmus Bridge, the ss Rotterdam, and the Rotterdam skyline, while learning more about the fascinating history of the museum ships.
Book your ticket nowHarbor District boat tour
See the Stadsgraanzuiger 19 and the historic harbor from the water! During the tour, the captain of the whisper boat shares stories about the district and shows you its most beautiful spots. Weather permitting, the whisper boat will sail several times on Saturday.
- 11:30 AM
- 12:20 PM
- 1:20 PM
- 2:20 PM
- 3:20 PM
The blacksmith’s secret
In the historic forge, you can watch the blacksmith at work and discover how parts for steel ships were once made. Throughout the day, riveting demonstrations will show how steel ship components were firmly joined together using traditional craftsmanship.
Take a break at museum café 'Het Lage Licht'
Enjoy fresh coffee, delicious pastries, light lunches, and flavorful hot dishes at museum café Het Lage Licht. A welcoming meeting place where visitors and passersby come together, and where culture and hospitality go hand in hand.
Steam weekend at the Maritime Museum harbor
Saturday, June 20 - 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Sunday, June 21 - 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Book your ticket for the steam weekend
Experience the history of the Port of Rotterdam and join a cruise on the Nieuwe Maas.
Welcome aboard!