History

A short history of this legendary paddle wheeler built in 1911.

The first paddle wheel steamers in Holland were seen around 1817.
Before that time there were just sailing vessels. People were amazed by the fact that ships were going against the current without sails. Dutch King William I was so impressed, that he even ordered a royal paddle wheeler and several paddle wheel steamers for the Dutch Navy. As time went by hundreds of paddle wheelers were built. All the original Dutch paddle wheel steamers were demolished, except the paddle wheeler “Kapitein Kok” with home port of AMSTERDAM. On May 8, 1857 a group of shippers founded the “Reederij op de Lek” (The Lek Riverboat Service). Their goal was to provide passenger and freight service between Rotterdam and the northern village of Schoonhoven.
As with many new ventures it was not smooth sailing. During the first week there was a collision. Nowadays no one would bother with a damage claim amounting to € 18 (Euros), but in those days it was an amount worth going to court. Fortunately, after a few years, the tide turned and the company was able to buy more ships. The original name of the “Kapitein Kok”was “Reederij op de Lek no. 6”. She was built in 1911 by the J&K Smit shipyard in the town of Kinderdijk. Rules and regulations that the shipping company had to fulfill seem strange by today’s standards.
For example:…..the ship was required to have a clock with a bell on board to warn the passengers of arrival at a port of call…..the conductor would ring the bell and then the passengers could go to the gangway…..
….. pipe smoking on board was permitted if the pipe had a lid….
Her cargo capacity was 131 tons and besides freight and live stock she could carry 1.200
passengers, with a crew of 10. Until 1916 the ship was fitted with oil lamps after which it
was electrified. For years, along with her sister ships, she maintained a regular river service between Schoonhoven, Ammerstol, Bergambacht, Nieuw-Lekkerland and Rotterdam.
The cargo consisted of cheese, skins, milk, peas, beans, flour, cows, pigs and more. You could choose either first-class or second-class passage. The first-class section was handsomely
decorated in plush red velvet. It boasted separate lavatories for “Ladies”and “Gentlemen”( in Dutch: Dames and Heeren) Whereas, the second-class had shared toilets for men and women. A steward who served the passengers was usually helped by his wife and an assistant. From today’s standards the prices seem like a real bargain, for € 0,12 (12 Euro cents) you could be a passenger. Same price for 1000 kilos (222 pounds) of potatoes.
For € 0,04 (4 Euro cents) you could ship a duck. One thousand bricks € 1,13. Cow or oxen
€ 0,50 and a horse € 1,00. In March 1948 the services of the Lek riverboats ended. Transport by road had increased, busses and trucks were cheaper to operate than ships.
With modernization, a piece of history vanished.
Captain “Teunis Kok” was the last commander of the “Reederij op de Lek nr. 6”. Today, the ship now bears his name. He entered into the service of the shipping company as a deckhand in 1910 and rose to the rank of Captain.
It was a moving reunion when the 91 year old Captain boarded “his” ship during the restoration. Sadly, Captain Kok was not to be present at the launching of the restored paddle steamer, having passed away shortly after his visit.
Village life was interwoven with the “Reederij op de Lek” service.
For a village child, a boat trip to the city was an experience to be looked forward to for days. You were lucky when you had a vantage point where you could watch the ship’s majestic approach. She would cross the river to a waiting ferryman to be secured while passengers and cargo were exchanged. As you crossed the gangplank a new world of smells surrounded you, coal, steam and rope from the huge coils that were carried as cargo. In the passageway leading to the stern stood a large brown tank, hanging at the bottom was an enameled cup which could be used for a refreshing drink of water. In the summer the second-class passengers would sit on the forward deck under an awning between the cargo and cattle. In the forecastle (bow) was a buffet for the hungry souls.
This area was also used as a crew’s sleeping quarters. Their hammocks were hung from hooks in the ceiling. The first-class section was located in the stern. On the promenade deck were the salons, offering a marvelous view of the river. On the afterdeck people would play cards, checkers, and talk, creating a cheerful atmosphere. On market days it was quite hectic with the talk of business.
Inclement weather caused changes in the sailing schedules. Sudden fog could force the captain to anchor between two of the ports of call. There was little choice but to wait until the trip could be continued. If there were too many ice fields in winter the paddle wheeler could not sail. During high water there was a completely different scene. The docks were under water and the passengers had to be carried off. This attracted much attention. There were cheers and laughter when porters were unable to hold on to an unpopular passenger, who found himself in the water.
May 1940, the beginning of World War II in Holland, many inhabitants of the village of Rhenen were evacuated on the “Kapitein Kok”.

Nowadays the “Kapitein Kok”can be booked for an exclusive business or
family party. The ship can accommodate groups with a maximum of 375 guests.