THE “SCHOUW”.
The Schouw is a flat, open tub met everywhere. It is a very simple and very primitive boat which is seen already in the oldest engravings both in the countries along the Mediterranean and in the countries of the North of Europe.
The “Schouwen” are very much used in our country of canals and rivers. These more or less large tubs have gradually developed into the form of boats. Nearly all are pulled or pushed with a pole. The largest are the “Melkschouwen” of which large numbers can be seen every day at Rotterdam.
The hull of the “Schouwen” narrows a little forward and aft, while the bottom rises there regularly.
These boats are entirely open as a rule. When they have a hold covered with hatch covers and when they are a little higher and carry a cuddy forward and aft they are called Schiedamsche Schouwen, better known still by the name of Spoelingschuiten (small boats for carrying the refuse of fruit).