This restored fishing sloop has a remarkable history. The Jacqueline-Denise is a wooden vessel, built in 1942 at the Borrey shipyard, which was established around 1900 and located at the Opex site in Ostend from 1937 to 1945. The shipyard ceased operations in 1947.
The boat was originally owned by shipowner Charles Lenaers and was part of the fishing fleet until the end of 1951. It was then sold to Mr Klaas from Terneuzen. After various uses as a pleasure craft and detours through Zeelandic Flanders, Peter Sabbe, chairman of Haven en Gebuurte, brought the vessel back to Blankenberge. To preserve this valuable piece of maritime heritage, the intention, together with the then city council, was to display the boat near the lighthouse. However, the ravages of time had taken a heavier toll than expected, and a much more thorough restoration was required. Thanks to the Interreg III project, the vessel was eventually restored at the Jan Vandamme shipyard. The good news is that it is not a static exhibit, it has once again become a seaworthy vessel.
The boat measures 14.10 metres in length and 3.60 metres in width, with an original gross tonnage of 12.01 and a 34 hp auxiliary engine. Originally, there was no wheelhouse, though one was later added. On the restored version, the vessel has returned to its original form, with the wheelhouse once again removed. A modern marine diesel engine has been installed for safety. Two masts with boom and gaff have been reinstated, and the boat is steered using a tiller.
This shrimper is one of the very few surviving vessels from the Belgian maritime fleet, making it of considerable historical value. It is a typical example of a boat built between the two World Wars. The hull shape, frames, keel, and the rake of the bow are all characteristic of this period. This type of vessel symbolises the transition from sail-powered sea fishing to motorised vessels.
