Peat barge Venus (Turfrschip venus)

[Anatol]

TURFSCHIP:
1) a vessel actively involved in the peat trade.
2) a name for various types of vessels, usually from Groningen, Drenthe, or Overijssel. See also turfpraam.
TURFPRAAM:
1) term used by laymen for any vessel that was not too large and transported peat.
2) ship family and general designation for: Brandschuit, Drentse praam, Friese turfpot, Overijsselse praam, Overijsselse turfpot.
The prams referred to here originated around the middle of the 16th century. The relatively small, clinker-built vessel developed further during the course of the 17th century, with size increasing particularly. Gradually, however, a separation also emerged between the wider vessels intended for open water (approx. 40 tons) and the vessels capable of reaching into the peat bogs (maximum approx. 26 tons). Around 1840, these barges began to be built with flush sides. Widening and deepening of the waterways (Hoogeveense Vaart in 1851 and again in 1890, Drentse Hoofdvaart somewhere in between) led to the large barges not only becoming larger but also being able to reach closer to the peat, causing the smaller barges to begin falling into disuse. However, with the arrival of steel ships, the curtain fell for the large wooden barges as well. They were hardly ever built of steel or iron.
TURFVENUS:
clinker-built wooden cargo ship. Disappeared in the course of the 19th century. See further under Venus. "VENUS": a vessel strongly resembling the clinker-built Turfijker. Possibly slightly larger and slightly more streamlined at the bow and stern. According to G. Groenewegen, rigged with a spritsail. Also called Turfvenus, Venis, or simply turfschuit.
According to G.J. Schutten, the Venus, or rather the Turfvenus as he calls it, would have been rigged with a gaff sail, in addition to being more robust in dimensions, whereas the Turfijker, according to him, would have carried a lug sail – which he calls an "emmerzeil". In short: here too, there are considerable ambiguities.
Nederland 2025; 1,0.
Sources: 1)https://www.binnenvaarttaal.nl/index.php?woord=to.
2)https://www.binnenvaarttaal.nl/index.ph ... #turfpraam.