Launch!
For the Dutch, shipbuilding is in the blood! How did that happen? And were we the best? Find out in ‘Launch!’ – a lively, new exhibition at the Maritime Museum Rotterdam. How do you construct a good ship? This exhibition takes you into the shipyards and gives a picture of the development of shipbuilding in three periods. You can also roll up your sleeves and discover that there’s plenty to do before a ship can actually be launched.
Discover Dutch shipbuilding
Ships have rolled down the ramps from the shipyards for centuries – ships for transporting cargoes, for fishing or for fighting wars. Dutch shipbuilding has experienced high points and some terrible lows but has survived by constantly reinventing itself. ‘Launch!’ teaches you more about the craftsmanship and courage that have made the Netherlands world-famous as a shipbuilding country.
Research
Despite the prominent place of shipbuilding in the collection of the Maritime Museum, we were looking for more cohesion in the narrative. In recent years, four researchers from Erasmus University Rotterdam have unravelled the fascinating history of Dutch shipbuilding since 1850. This research is the result of close cooperation between the Maritime Museum Rotterdam and Erasmus University Rotterdam as part of the Rotterdam Centre for Modern Maritime History. The storyline of the exhibition is based on the results of their research.
Off you go!
And of course you, can get down to work yourself! Design your ship, choose the right tools, build the structure and put the right components on the vessel. If you do it right, you’ll get the code to ‘launch’ your ship!
‘Launch!’ can be seen in the Maritime Museum Rotterdam from 19 December onwards. Will we be seeing you soon? We hope you have a safe journey, ‘with the wind in your sails’.
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The period up to 1870
Ever since the Middle Ages, many of the best ships in the world have been built in the Netherlands. Not only were the shipyards doing well but so were the companies around them, such as sailmakers, ropemakers and smithies.
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The period 1870 to 1983
After 1870, many shipyards moved to locations next to larger waterways. New shipyards were built there because there was a growing demand for larger and faster ships for transporting freight, people and post. Dutch shipping companies and shipyards were doing good business. Shipbuilding became a genuine industry, producing everything needed for a ship.
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The period from 1983 to date
Back in 1983, the government had invested billions in shipbuilding, but it all seemed to have been for nothing. The largest Dutch shipyards no longer exist. Does that mean that shipbuilding has disappeared from the country for good? Definitely not! Shipbuilding in the Netherlands continues to survive by reinventing itself.
Audio tour
In an audio tour, the PhD candidates tell you more about what you are seeing and more about their research. You can listen to the tour for free on your own phone inside the museum, but is also available outside the museum.
Book your tickets
Safe voyage – your trip to the Maritime Museum starts here! Book your tickets online.
Book your tickets
