The boards of the association Histechnica and of the KIVI Department of the History of Technology are pleased to invite you to attend a lecture to be given by Mr Drs G Moeyes entitled:

"Towing devices and tow tanks in the Netherlands; maritime hydrodynamic research since the 18th century"

A towing tank is a covered basin in which models of ships or other structures can be tested, possibly also in waves or with currents and/or wind. In a towing tank, model tests are carried out in outside water.

on Saturday, 26 October 2024, starting at 11am.

Location: Science Centre, Bouwcampus 26, entrance 'C', Van der Burghweg 1, 2628 CS Delft.

Entrance is from the car park behind the high-rise, access to the car park is by driving licence or debit card

Slinging container ship at the MARIN, 2023

Programme:

10.30 am: Walk-in with coffee and tea

11:00: Welcome and introduction

11.05:00: Lecture by Mr Gerbrand Moeyes

12:00: Break

12:15: Continuation of lecture and closing discussion

12:45: End of meeting

Lecture summary

In order to understand the complex hydrodynamic phenomena around a sailing ship, early on people turned to model research. This was done in 'model towing facilities' or 'towing tanks'. In the Netherlands, we know of four of them. Those in Rotterdam (Van Zwijndregt, 18thcentury ) and Amsterdam (Koninklijke Marine, Tideman, 1876-1994/95) no longer exist.

In Wageningen, the Nederlands Scheepsbouwkundig Proefstation (NSP) came into operation in 1932. This institute, renamed Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) in 1980, experienced periods of growth and setbacks. With over 400 employees, a wide range of advanced knowledge and varied facilities, it is now a global leader in research from concept to operation of ships and other maritime structures.

A small towing tank was founded at TH Delft in 1938 and replaced by the current basins in 1956. Here they focus on the motion behaviour of maritime objects, including fast vessels, which led to the invention of the axe bow.

The talk will highlight the history of these four towing devices against the background of the market, prevailing research questions and technical and scientific possibilities. Most attention will be given to the NSP/MARIN, as the largest and longest-lived of the four.

Information about the speaker

Gerbrand Moeyes (1943) is a marine engineer (Delft 1968) and maritime historian (Leiden 2005). He worked as an engineer in the Royal Netherlands Navy, TH Delft's tow tank and in offshore with the Shell Group. Since his retirement, he has been active as a maritime historian, including an exhibition of technical drawings at the Marititem Museum Rotterdam, supporting the research group 'History of modern Dutch shipbuilding' at Erasmus University, and looking after the historical archives of Netherlands Marititme Technology (the maritime industry association) and MARIN. The latter prompted the research underlying this lecture.

Please register to attend this lecture:

  • KIVI members can register via the KIVI website
  • Members of Histechnica can register through the secretary hotzeboonstra@gmail.com.
  • Interested parties who are not members can also register through the above channels. There will then be a cost of ā‚¬5.00.

The lecture will be broadcast live; you should also register for this through the above channels. There is no charge for this. You will receive the link for participation a few days in advance.

Upcoming activities at Science Center Delft:

  • Saturday 16 November 2024 at 11:00 am lecture by ir G.F. (Jerry) Boulogne: "The industrial development of the Veluwe, with the subtitle: from copper mills to cooling machines"
  • Saturday 14 December 2024 at 11:00 am lecture by drs M.J.M. van der Meer: "Plans relating to the Science Centre".
  • Saturday 25 January 2025 at 11:00 am lecture by Prof D. Stapersma: "Opportunities and threats for the early maritime diesel engine".

On 4 November, the presentation of the Willem Wollf Prize to the National Flax and Sugar Museum will take place. Linked to this is a unique visit to a sugar factory in full operation. Details and registration via the KIVI website.

To mark the 175th anniversary of KIVI in 2022, the History of Engineering Department has published a book highlighting the three founders of KIVI in the times in which they lived. The book will be available free of charge during the lecture for members of Histechnica and for members of the KIVI Department of History of Engineering.

On the occasion of Histechnica's 50th anniversary, a book "Uit Falen Vooruitgang Halen" was published on Saturday 20 April last. The book will be available free of charge during the lecture.

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