Rotterdam Rechter Maasoever , South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Nationaal Monument Voor De Koopvardij
De Boeg
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National Merchant Marine Memorial
The Bow
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2024
1. Nationaal Monument Voor De Koopvardij / National Merchant Marine Memorial Marker
De Boeg
Ter nagedachtenis aan de omgekomen zeevarenden van de nederlandse koopvaardij gedurende de tweede wereldoorlog 1939-1945 is dit monument op 10 april 1957 onthuld door H.K.H. Prinses Margriet
Beeldhouwer: Federico Antonio Carasso 1899-1969
National Merchant Marine Memorial
The Bow
In memory of the seafarers of the Dutch merchant navy who died during the Second World War 1939-1945, this monument was unveiled on April 10, 1957 by HRH Princess Margriet.
Sculptor: Federico Antonio Carasso 1899-1969
Erected 1957.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 51° 54.74′ N, 4° 29.068′ E. Memorial is in Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). It is in Rotterdam Rechter Maasoever. It is on Boompjeskade, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland 3011, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Waalse kerk / Eglise Wallonne / Walloon Church (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); May 1940 War Memorial
this page online
Also see . . .
1. The Bow (Sculpture International Rotterdam).
Overview: Carasso created the National Monument for the Merchant Navy in memory of the victims who died at sea during the Second World War. The statue is 46 metres high, and is entitled De Boeg (The Bow). The sculpture is a stylised ships bow, cutting through concrete waves. The piece was unveiled in 1957, and even before the unveiling, the sculpture was the object of criticism; the decision was later made to add a human element to the work. In 1965, a group of bronze figures were placed at the foot of the statue. The text Zij hielden koers (they stayed on course) appears at the base of the monument.(Submitted on April 10, 2024.)
2. Rotterdam - Nationale Koopvaardijmonument (Dodenakkers, in Dutch)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2024
2. Nationaal Monument Voor De Koopvardij / National Merchant Marine Memorial
The plaque is visible here just under the bow.
Excerpt (in translation): The Second World War was not only fought on land, but also to a large extent at sea. This involved not only military personnel, but also many civilian personnel who worked on the thousands of merchant ships to be deployed for various purposes. A large part of the battle at sea took place in the Atlantic Ocean, where transports of people, material and soldiers were often provided by merchant ships, including hundreds of Dutch ships. These were mainly ships that had been moored in foreign ports or at sea at the outbreak of the war and whose crew members did not return to the Netherlands.(Submitted on April 10, 2024.)
Approximately 300,000 coastal and long-range convoys sailed during the war. These convoys were popular targets for German submarines. The German Kriegsmarine sank almost 3,000 ships during World War II, approximately 14 million tons, 90% of which in the Atlantic Ocean. The vast majority of these, more than 2,600, were merchant ships. On the Dutch side, a loss of more than 400 fishing, merchant navy and war ships was suffered.
There were more than 7,000 casualties on the Dutch side during the war. Many of them disappeared into the waves and ended up in a watery grave. Among them are more than 3,500 civilian victims (of which more than 1,400 have a different nationality). They lost their lives when a total of almost 500 Dutch merchant ships sank.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2024
3. National Merchant Marine Memorial - the Bow
Zij hielden koers (They stayed on course) is written on the base of the monument.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2024
4. National Merchant Marine Memorial - detail
It wasnt until 1965 that the group of figures were placed at the foot of the monument. The group is made up of a helmsman, three mariners, and a drowned man, all of whom are tied to one another and to part of the ship by a rope. Huddled together, they fight against the water. Next to the high waves and the bow towering over them, the figures still appear rather diminutive. - Sculpture International Rotterdam
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 9, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 10, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
