Eendracht and Johann Smidt in Scheveningen
Photo: M.Oosterlee

Eendracht in a nutshell

History

In the thirties/forties ocean-sailing as recreation was hardly possible. As the professional Tall Ship's sailing disappeared the founders of the Eendracht wanted to preserve the possibility of training Dutch youngsters aboard Tall Ships.

From "Training Ship" to "Tall Ship"

Ocean-sailing builds characters and improves the state of body and mind. It raises self-discipline, effort, team spirit and perseverance. That’s why the National Society "The Sailing Training Ship" was founded in October 1938. The business community and government showed little interest in the plans and therefore the initiators embarked on a new course in 1963. The name of the society was changed into National Society "The Sailing Tall Ship". Lots of activities were undertaken and thanks to the enormous effort of a couple of dedicated people the Tall Ship "Eendracht", a two-masted schooner with 37 berths was launched.

Foundation "The Sailing Tall Ship"

An organisation was needed to organize the building of the first Eendracht. Thus the Foundation “The Sailing Tall Ship “ was founded in 1973, commissioning the building of the ship in 1974 and later on acting as her shipping company. The Foundation still fulfils that function and it supports the Society on an administrative level.

Aim

Aim of society and foundation: “Offer every Dutch youngster, particularly the youngsters aged 15-25, the opportunity to be introduced to the adventure of ocean-sailing”.

Who can join?

More and more Dutch people get to know the Eendracht. It is a ship for young and old, male and female. A voyage is financially feasible for everyone. There are even specially sposored voyages for youngsters. In summer the youngsters can participate in the famous Tall Ships' Races starting in various countries.

The first Eendracht

Till 1 September 1989 thousands of Dutch youngsters and adults had a unique experience aboard this ship. In 15 years’ time the ship sailed 260.763 sea miles, comparable to a trip 12 times round the world.

Johann Smidt
Photo: Wouter van der Veen

Eendracht
Photo: Max

Technical data
first Eendracht/Johann Smidt

Year Built: 1974
Number masts: 2
Displacement: 220 ton
Total length: 35,94 m
Beam: 8,03 m
Draught: 3,60 meter
Max. sail area: 586 m2
Main engine: 400 HP
Berths: 37

Technical data
second Eendracht

Year Built: 1989
Number masts: 3
Displacement: 510 ton
Total length: 59,08 meter
Beam: 12,30 m
Draught: 5,00 m
Max. sail area: 1300 m2
Main engine: 540 HP
Number berths: 56

Two-masted Eendracht (Johann Smidt) – three-masted schooner Eendracht

Interest in ocean-sailing boomed, more people had more spare time to go on hoilday and join in this adventure, resulting in the demand for a larger ship. Plans were made and in 1989 the three-masted schooner was launched. After 15 years of true service the first Eendracht was transferred to the German Clipper Shipping Company, who launched the ship under the name of Johann Smidt. See www.clipper-djs.org The yard in the front mast was removed. The present Eendracht took the first Eendracht’s place and she has sailed for 15 years now.

Design

Based on the sailing with the first Eendracht various specialists formulated improvements and new ideas to build a fantastic "national sailing ship" with excellent sailing abilities. The specialists were: designer W. de Vries Lentsch, constructor B.V. Scheepswerf Damen Gorinchem and rigger Royal Huisman Shipyard B.V./Rondal B.V. They were advised by prof. Ir. J.J. Gerritsma, professor of Hydronamics in Delft, together with a building committee consisting of people with long term experience in shipbuilding and ocean-sailing.

Important data

15 September 1988: Ceremony of laying down the keel by H.R.H. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and Mrs. Drs. N. Smit-Kroes, Minister of Transport and Construction.
29 August 1989: Inauguration by H.M. Queen Beatrix.
17 July 2004: Celebration 30th anniversary two-masted Eendracht (Johann Smidt); 15th anniversary three-masted schooner Eendracht in Scheveningen