This picture was made in a Danish port, about 1927 I think. The little girl is my mother, born 1924, the others are her parents Harmannes and Neeltje and brothers Jan and Wubbo. The ship was called Dankbaarheid, a tjalk, with sails, on wich they lived and worked. They transported goods on rivers in Holland, Belgium, Germany and also across the Baltic and the North Sea as far as what is now Poland, or further.

The ship had some rough times and was even bombarded in WWII. My grandmother was the skipper, as my grandfather had passed away in 1941. She refused to work for the Organization Todt, that wanted the ship to work for them. The ship hided in the Noord Oostpolder, which was all water at the time. In 1948 the ship was taken over by my mothers brother and she and her mother went to live on Terschelling. He probably sold the ship early 60’s and got a new one. Many stories are waiting to be told before it is to late.

After my mothers funeral I heard that the ship still exits, and is in Marseille. I would love to find her. So if any one ever saw her, or knows her where abouts, please tell me