Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage cherishes the heritage of the Pot Brothers.

Kinderdijk is not only known as a village for its mills but also for its prominent shipbuilders. This story dates back to the nineteenth century, a period during which these two elements intersected. In a time when the shipbuilding market fluctuated, Scheepswerf de Gebroeders Pot near Kinderdijk seized its opportunities by focusing on other possibilities. Known for their expertise in riveting iron, they saw a unique opportunity to apply these skills in another field – namely, in the adjacent mill area.

Ship Masts vs. Mill Sails

As shipbuilders, the Pot Brothers were skilled in riveting iron, a technique they applied to, among other things, ship masts. And these ship masts happened to bear great resemblance to our mill sails. The middle beam of the mill sails traditionally consisted of three interconnected wooden beams. These wooden mill sails lasted an average of twenty-five years. But wood being a natural product, wooden sails sometimes unexpectedly broke, with all its consequences. Hence, the need to make mill sails from a different material increased significantly.

The result was the innovative riveted Pot Sail, patented in 1852. This technology provided a sustainable solution to the traditional wooden mill sails. With the riveted Pot Sail, mills could operate for longer periods and were less susceptible to breakage. Some sails now lasted up to 130 years! Thus, they made a valuable contribution to the water management of the region.

From Wood to Iron

In addition to mill sails, the Pot firm also supplied other essential iron mill components, such as tail beams, brackets, and joint timbers. The influence of their craftsmanship extended far beyond the borders of Kinderdijk, with their products spread across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.

Maintaining History

Although the glory of the Pot firm faded over time, their legacy continues to live on thanks to the efforts of the Kinderdijk World Heritage Foundation. Since 2018, our foundation has owned the site where the shipyard and mill sail factory once stood. In collaboration with the Province of Zuid-Holland, we are committed to preserving and highlighting the last remnants of the history of the Pot Brothers for the public.

Various Restorations

One of the preserved remains is the wooden shed from circa 1850, which still stands on the site. This shed, once used by the Pot firm, will soon be restored to its original state. Also, the forged railing of the monumental house at Molenstraat 228 was recently restored and reinstalled thanks to financial support from the Province of Zuid-Holland. This curved railing was essential for maneuvering the long sails, which could sometimes be as long as thirty meters. Thus, little by little, we are bringing this story back to Kinderdijk.

Riveted Sails Returning to Kinderdijk

The mills of Kinderdijk no longer have Pot sails. However, the intention is to reintroduce riveted sails of the original Pot firm model. Therefore, a riveted sail is being ordered for Overwaard mill 1 from Vaags Molenwerken in Aalten. This is the only manufacturer that still supplies such sails.