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Nederland - De Cruquius

In the low-lying peat lands in the area between Amsterdam, Haarlem and Leiden peat was won for many centuries. Peat lakes were created, which expanded into larger lakes as a result of storms. Three lakes merged into one, forming the largest inland lake of the Netherlands: the Haarlemmermeer (Lake Haarlem). Local people called it the Waterwolf, because it swallowed more and more land and wiped complete villages of the map.

In 1837 King Willem I installed a commission to make a study for drainage. He could use such a prestige project to compensate for the humiliation regarding the separation of Belgium from the Netherlands. So he opted for the use of steam power for draining the Haarlemmermeer.

Together with two identical steam-pumping machines De Cruquius, commissioned in 1849, pumped Lake Haarlem dry in three years and three months. The engine could drain up to 320.000 litres of water per minute !! The pumping station is a unique example of neo-Gothic architecture with its havy buttresses, pointe – arched windows, battlements; much use is made of cast iron ornamentation (PiPs1 and 2)

Both other pumping stations were modernized after 50 years, but De Cruquius remained untouched. It was decommissioned in 1932 and became a museum, which opened four years later. It became one of the first technical museums in the world and houses the worlds’ largest steam engine. Apart from the history of the pumping station, attention is also paid to the continuous struggle of the Netherlands against the water.

But most impressive for me was without any doubt the visit to the engine room (PiPs 3 and 4), especially with a demonstration of a working engine; even if the huge cylinder is nowadays moved up and down by means of a modern hydraulic system.
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92 comments

Karp Panta said:

HFF Jaap !!!
5 years ago ( translate )

Guy Bacca (guybac) said:

De belles photos pour ce bel exemple du génie des hommes...Magnifique architecture industrielle pour cette station de pompage reconvertie avec bonheur en musée
Bonne fin de semaine
5 years ago ( translate )

Madeleine Defawes said:

Very beautiful pictures of the old steam-pumping machines !
Thank you for the information.
Have a nice weekend.
5 years ago

Edward Bowthorpe said:

Brilliant pic Jaap,eddie,
5 years ago ( translate )

Roger (Grisly) said:

Nice information and a terrific series of images Jaap
HFF and a good weekend
5 years ago

Rosalyn Hilborne said:

Great PiP's and information Jaap.
HFF and have a great weekend.
5 years ago

Annemarie said:

beautiful image, graet pip's ..........happy weekend:)

HFF also
5 years ago ( translate )

tiabunna said:

Great photos and fascinating information, Jaap. HFF and have a great weekend.
5 years ago

Gudrun said:

At that time they knew how to make industrial architecture look attractive- and what an achievement! HFF, Jaap!
5 years ago

Dida From Augsburg said:

Nice building and interesting information!

HFF, Jaap!
5 years ago ( translate )

ROL/Photo said:

WAOUH, merci pour cette enrichissante explication..
Oui l’architecture est exceptionnelle
et ta photo est belle et bien composée comme toujours bravo
my friend..
nice W/end Jaap
5 years ago ( translate )

Nicole Merdrignac said:

Très belle et très intéressante photo avec PIPS. Nicole.
5 years ago ( translate )

Tractacus said:

Impressive piece of engineering. HFF!
5 years ago ( translate )

Marie-claire Gallet said:

Very interesting series, Jaap !! Exceptional architecture *******************
5 years ago ( translate )

Dave Hilditch said:

Fascinating info to go with this fine pic, Jaap. Thanks for the info on membership fees I'll certainly take advantage. Have a great weekend.
5 years ago