A dime on its side, Lekkerkerk - The Netherlands
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superstein
N 51° 54.205 E 004° 43.711
31U E 618914 N 5751707
A sculpture by Roel Bendijk in memory of the The North Sea flood of 1953.
Waymark Code: WM9T1M
Location: Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
Date Posted: 09/27/2010
Views: 10
The story behind the sculptures - The Schielandse Hoge Zeedijk dyke along the river Hollandse IJssel was all that protected three million people in the provinces of South and Noord Holland from flooding. A section of this dyke, known as the Groenendijk, was not reinforced with stone revetments. The waterlevel was just below the crest and the seaside slope was weak. Volunteers worked to reinforce this stretch. Nevertheless, the Groenendijk collapsed under the pressure around 5:30 am on 1 February. Seawater flooded into the deep polder. In desperation, the mayor of Nieuwerkerk commandeered the river ship de Twee Gebroeders (The Two Brothers) and ordered the owner to plug the hole in the dyke by navigating the ship into it. Fearing that the ship might break through and dive into the polder, captain Arie Evegroen took a row boat with him. The mayor's plan turned out to be successful, as the ship lodged itself firmly into the dyke, saving many lives.
Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: A dime on its side
Figure Type: Human
Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Roel Bendijk
Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 1983
Materials used: metal
Location: At the side of the dyke
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