The Widow Van Storm, source of inspiration

To us ‘unknown’ does not mean ‘unloved’, and this certainly applies to the Widow Van Storm. Inspiration for both the approach and the name of Van Storm. In this seventeenth-century lady we recognize the combination of the urge to act and social responsibility within a maritime-technical environment in which she facilitated and propelled innovation. Because of the Ship Camel the Amsterdam harbor remained open to large vessels. Perhaps not the most famous, but definitely one of the most intriguing personalities in Dutch maritime history, the Widow Van Storm was a true Golden Age representative. She immigrated with her parents to Amsterdam at a young age and then married one of the Van Storm brothers, successful ship owners in Flushings, Stavoren and Amsterdam. These shipyards were known for the quality of the ships they delivered for both the long voyages to the East, the main trade with the Baltic area, and the Navy of the Netherlands. No matter how well their shipbuilding activities went, the brothers did not stay away from setbacks. Shortly after one another the brothers died. The independent widow then took matters into her own hands and from then on managed the three yards on her own. Unlike usual in her time, she paid much attention to the working conditions and remuneration of her employees. The sources show that she was convinced that this grew the responsibility and commitment that enabled her to lead three yards on her own. The worlds first navigable submarine by Cornelis Drebbel. And she did an excellent job. The shipyards of the Widow Van Storm delivered the best ships in the world. Under her wings and in peace Cornelis Drebbel continued his work on the design of the first sailing submarine in the world. Simon Stevin had his sailing car built on her shipyard in Flushings. On the shipyard in Amsterdam the Scheepskameel (Floating dock) was developed in response to the growing sand bank Pampus, which denied the deep-lying East-India vessels access to the Amsterdam harbor. And Tsar Peter the Great visited her yards to learn how to shape Russian maritime strength. Simon Stevins landboat on the beaches of Holland. We plead for the fame and name of the Widow Van Storm and will soon present an appropriate plan tot his end. A statue of Tsar Peter the Great as shipbuilding pupil on a Dutch yard.