Willemsluis

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Introduction:

The LOCK Willem I (or Willemsluis) lies a few hundred metres inland in the Noordhollands canal, the border between the Buiksloterham on the west side and the Nieuwendammerham on the east side. From the IJ side behind Central Station (De Ruijterkade) the lock is clearly visible and forms a striking element at the head of Amsterdam-north. The lock Willem I was built in 1824 and although it underwent extensive restoration and alteration in 1867, its external appearance has remained virtually unchanged. It was not only the first sea-going lock in the Netherlands, but also the first double lock in which a distinction was made for passing large and small ships. Moreover, it was the first lock of such scale, particularly with regard to the width of passage. In socio-economic terms too, the lock is an important object in the Noordhollands canal; this in turn was important for the economic recovery of the Netherlands after French domination and for the economic development of Amsterdam and the Netherlands in general.

The designer was Jan Janszoon Blanken; one of the most important hydraulic engineers of that time and Inspector-General under King William I. Although the lock no longer functions as a sea connection for Amsterdam, it is still in use for inland and recreational shipping. The doors were restored in 1946. The small lock is still operated by hand, the large lock is mechanised: the moving works are of recent date. At present (2008-2009) work is being carried out alongside the lock for the construction of the North-South Line.

Description:

The lock consists of two chambers which can be closed off by doors at both ends through which ships can be passed, that is: from one waterway to another where the water levels differ in relation to each other. A distinction has been made between large and small ships by means of a narrow and a wide passage. The large passage has a lock length of 65 metres, a width of 14.75 metres and a total lock length of just over 90 metres. The lock is designed in a business-like and sober manner. The lock basin is constructed of dark-red brick with natural stone elements in essential places such as striking posts and corners. The head edges and inner corners of the quay walls are rounded. The lock doors are executed in wood with ironwork, without decorations. Between the elongated section on the north side (the inner head) and the section on the south side (the outer head) there is a height difference by which the lock body visually fits into the surroundings. The strikingly contrasting white-painted railings on the catwalks and lock bodies give the whole a strong visual impact in the surroundings.

Valuation:

The Willemsluis is of general importance - by reason of its architectural-historical value as a rare and well-preserved example of a double lock; - by reason of its socio-economic value as a striking part of 19th-century water authority history in general and the history of the Noordhollands canal in particular; - by reason of the oeuvre of Jan Janszoon Blanken.