Breskens Women

2. Breskens

Is a town located at the mouth of the Westerschelde and with approximately 4780 inhabitants.

In the 15th century arose marshes that were known under the name Breskenszand. These marshes are drained in and then in 1510 became Breskenszand diked. So, the polders Old and Young Breskin arise. In 1518 the village was founded Breskens. The village develops slowly and consists mainly of the current century Dorpstraat and some side streets. Given its strategic location at the mouth of the Schelde are a number of forts along the coast which built Fort Frederik Hendrik the most important.

Traditionally, the source of income for many residents of Breskens is fishing. By 1800, the port of Breskens is simple and not more than a narrow shallow channel with some pole-and platform that served as wharf and dock. The first fishing boat was only about 1890 registered. In previous years, the port of Breskens enlarged and improved, especially after the port on January 1, 1865 was taken over by the government. The drainage basins were excavated to NAP -3 and the Eastern Basin increased, both to the harbor channel at depth to maintain. In 1870, a screw-boat service to Rotterdam Breskens established, the entire region was served. The trade with Belgium at that time was already in full swing. The port of Breskens lived and gave to many industrious work. When in 1881 the pier was increased to 2.70 NAP also took off the siltation. During this period, Breskens has about 1534 inhabitants.

After the First World War were the vessels gradually equipped engines. For the fishermen the opportunity to evolve in 1920 the Breskense Fishschool was created. With funding from the Board of Breskens and the availability of rooms can be started. During the thirties Breskens had his hands full with fishing. Because the very low prices fishermen received on May 15, 1935 the company established local fish market. All fish, which from then on would be applied per vessel, was transported to the fish market to be sold in public. The relationship between fisherman and buyer became looser and thus the competition between the buyers themselves stronger. During the Second World War the village on 11 September 1944 affected by the bombing, in which a large proportion of the houses and the fish market located on the western side of the center pier were destroyed. There were about 200 of the 1200 inhabitants slain, 537 homes destroyed and another 151 damaged. After the war the village was rebuilt. Because during the occupation the opportunity to fish was small, the amount of herring in the North Sea has increased dramatically. Because Urkers, Texel, from Scheveningen and Katwijk Breskens landing selected as this brought the village and the surrounding economic prosperity. Since 1947 increased the sales of the municipal fish market and the significant transport in the hinterland. From the late forties to early sixties of the last century could speak of a golden era for the fishermen of Bresjes. Very Breskens smelled of fish, but no grind for it. The whole kaoje was filled with ships and a hundred ships a day left to span to go fishing. The advent of a writer on board was a matter of speed and agility first on the right fishing position to come. Previously, the fishermen on the gulls and seals to determine where the fish Sat In the course of time the tapes were among the fishermen thicker. They were exciting times. Sometimes it could be removed after five minutes and there was a small eighty tons of herring in the net. Enough for two ships. The catch was hauled by hand and loose in the hold or on deck poured. Once the kaoje was a bucket of herring brought to my master samples. When the fish was sold, a team of men came on board for unloading. A large part of the herring went directly to truck to Germany. For a ton of fish had a team of five hoppers twentyfive guilders and sometimes in a few hours ten tons unloaded.

Today, the port of Breskens is a trading port, the fishing port and marina. In fact this is a dock with access to the Westerschelde. This access is open and not closed by locks and other obstacles. This has the great advantage that all the vessels at any time able to sail in and out. The harbor has a tide difference of about four meters, enabling larger ships to take into account the tides when they leave and enter.

The fishing port is home to the Bressiaanse fleet. This fleet consists of approximately 15 units of ships ranging in length from 17 to 43 meters. The large ships have their fishing grounds in the North Sea and make travel week. For the smaller vessels fishing on the coast versed in the so-called day fishing. There is a wide variety of fish species such as flatfish, shrimp and fish around. This fish is brought to the fish market and from there sold to the fishmongers. Because day fishing is practiced there is constant supply of fresh fish. The Fish auction Breskens is not just an exit. With its central location on the southern North Sea is fresh sales to Belgian and French markets, and to the fresh and bulk markets in the Netherlands. In Flanders and northern France as a direct hinterland and an annual turnover of 8 million, is the Fish auction Breskens more than a concept.

(information provided by Municipality of Middleburgh)