Shipping - Belgium: Books - History and Ships

De haven van Antwerpen vanuit de lucht / The port of Antwerp from above

The port, the Scheldt, the city and the inhabitants of Antwerp, they are inextricably linked. One cannot exist without the other. You notice that in the city, on the quay and on the water.
Also from the air, the city and the port and industrial complex are a unit, with the Scheldt as a binding agent.

The people of Antwerp are proud of their port and this photo book shows why. The 160 aerial photos provide an impressive view of the highlights of the city and port. Recognizable for those who live, work or visit there.
We wish you a good flight and above all a lot of viewing and reading pleasure.

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Ninety Seconds at Zeebrugge : The Herald of Free Enterprise Story

Herald of Free Enterprise set sail on a routine voyage to Dover in March 1987, carrying hundreds of passengers, including British army personnel, day-trippers and drivers.
Minutes after leaving Zeebrugge, the ferry began to capsize. Terrified passengers were separated from loved ones in a seething mass of humanity and in freezing cold water, fighting for their lives.

This is the minute-by-minute account from people who lived through the disaster, from the event to rescue, reunion and repatriation. Including plans, photographs and records that consider how this disaster impacted ferry operating procedures forever, along with contributions from many survivors, relatives and rescue workers, this book is a fitting tribute to all involved.

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La Sambre belge - Première rivière canalisée

This book presents the history of the Sambre, the first canalised river in Belgium. Rising in France, it enters Belgium at Erquelinnes and flows for about ninety kilometres before meeting the Meuse in Namur.
Known since Antiquity for its strong current and shallow areas, it was difficult to navigate. From 1825 onwards, canalisation and lock construction gradually made the river accessible to increasingly heavy vessels.
In the 19th century, the industrial revolution greatly increased production, and water transport became the most economical way to move large quantities of goods. Heavy industry along the Sambre shaped the landscape and turned the river into an economic engine for the south of the country.

Crossing rural areas upstream and industrial regions further along, the Sambre has a rich and varied past. This illustrated book, containing rare or unpublished photographs, reflects this remarkable history.

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Le Canal de Charleroi à Bruxelles - Une voie d'eau pour le charbon

This book presents the history of the Charleroi-Brussels Canal, closely linked from the start to coal mining in Hainaut. Originating in Charleroi's industrial basin, it crosses the valleys of the Piéton, Samme and Senne before joining the Willebroek Canal in Brussels.

Planned in the 16th century and built three centuries later, it immediately became a key factor in regional industrial and economic growth.
A main axis of Belgium's waterway network, it is marked by technical features and remarkable structures requiring innovative engineering.

The book shows the canal at the beginning of the 20th century: navigation, boats, towmen, shipyards and the industries that relied on this route. The images revive memories and help readers understand this important heritage.

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