The Stelling column in each edition of the City Marketing newspaper provides information about the many fortifications in Den Helder. This time, Jan Kikkert of the Helderse Social History Association will be talking about Willemsoord.

Willemsoord main canal navy old

When we talk about the Rijkswerf Willemsoord, we're always referring to the newly built town hall or building 66 (mast shed). I'd like to take you to the other side of Willemsoord, on the Hoofdgracht canal where the current Naval Museum is located. The former Rijkswerf's official name was: Maritiem Etablissement Willemsoord. It was built by Napoleon's decree in 1811, designed by Jan Blanken Jansz. This designer worked diligently and also commissioned the construction of the so-called "Torentje" (Little Tower) in 1823. It's so-called because of the clock tower on the building. This clock indicated the Rijkswerf's opening and closing times. The building was initially intended for the storage of highly flammable materials, later also serving as a food warehouse for ships. A space for slaughtering livestock was also set up here. After serving various functions for many years, the Navy Museum moved in 1965 from the Peperhuisje building on Havenplein, where the Navy Museum originated, which had become too small, to the Torentje.

Another beautiful building in the museum is the sloop shed (building 3), located next to the submarine "Tonijn." This building now serves as the museum's depot, but was originally built for the maintenance of gaff gunboats. These sheds had 18 covered bays, of which only seven remain, dating back to 1833.

Tower of the naval museum Willemsoord old photo of the main canal

Another beautiful building in the museum is the sloop shed (building 3), located next to the submarine "Tonijn." This building now serves as the museum's depot, but was originally built for the maintenance of gaff gunboats. These sheds had 18 covered bays, of which only seven remain, dating back to 1833.