Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Ghent Barge restoration work has concluded, and tomorrow, the ship will return its journey from Zelzate to Ghent. The Barge ship maintains an 18th-century style appearance through its numerous golden details and its prominent female ornamentation.
The restoration project for the Ghent Barge finished with its restoration of an 18th-century replica ship featuring feminine decorations and a woman-shaped figurehead. After a thorough renovation process that began in Zelzate in mid-March, the ship will return to its home at the old Palace of Justice in Ghent tomorrow.
A team of 25 volunteers dedicated their work to cleaning off marine growth and repairing the wooden rudder as they restored the figurehead of this project. The Barge, constructed over twenty years ago by musician Walter de Buck of Ghent, will follow the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal route and the Ringvaart and the Leie waterways during its journey.
And that was quite a job for the 25 volunteers.
“When a ship is in the water for a long time, there is a lot of growth on the bottom, such as mussels,”
says Karel De Wilde.
“They all have to be removed by hand.”
“The figurehead, the Virgin of Ghent, has also been taken care of, because she was no longer in such good condition. Now you will see that she has been given a completely new look.”
“And the rudder was also in urgent need of renovation. It is a large, wooden rudder at the back of the ship. But after 22 years it also had to be tackled.”
“We will sail via the Ghent-Terneurzen Canal, then onto the Ringvaart, and finally enter Ghent via the Leie. The ship was launched from the dry dock this afternoon, and tomorrow we will sail to Ghent. We hope to be at the permanent mooring by tomorrow evening.”
“The barge was traditionally a ship pulled by horses. But in the meantime, our ship is equipped with modern engines and technology.”
What is the historical significance of the Ghent Barge?
As an 18th-century vessel replica, the Ghent Barge originally served to move both cargo and passengers across Flanders’ river routes. Folk singer Walter de Buck constructed the barge during the late 1990s to bring back Ghent’s maritime legacy.
The ship showcases its gold embellishments, as well as the Virgin of Ghent figurehead, to symbolise Ghent’s merchant past and heritage of skilled craftsmanship.
History shows that the Ghent Barge has received previous maintenance operations. The barge needs regular maintenance owing to its wooden construction and extended immersion in water. A hull maintenance effort was performed on the ship in 2015, and the modern restoration project stands as the most comprehensive one since the previous decade.
A decade ago, the barge received hull exams and performed limited repairs during its last dry-docking session in 2010.
As a festival attraction, the barge served at the Ghent Festivities, hosting concerts alongside live music events. The boat took part in historical reenactments that displayed traditional river transport throughout Leie River events. After its restoration, it will reappear for upcoming summer celebrations to potentially serve as an important cultural feature.
