Ice-boat ‘Sperwer’

Conclusion

Before the Second World War this boat belonged to Andries Witmond, a Jewish businessman.

Explanation

The Witmond family ran a hardware store on Middendam in Monnickendam. The 'Sperwer' (Sparrow Hawk) was kept in the warehouse opposite the Witmond’s shop. Andries Witmond was killed in Sobibor in 1943. According to a local council member at the time, that same year the ice-boat was stolen from the warehouse and taken to Zeilhoek water-sport centre in Katwoude. In 1951, the owner of the water-sport centre sold the boat for 300 guilders to Zuiderzeemuseum. On 14 April 1997, Zuiderzeemuseum also acquired a wooden trunk containing a set of two cotton sails for the Sperwer.

Update 

On 18 May 2015 the Restitutions Committee advised the Minister of Education, Culture and Science to honour the claim to this ice boat. The Minister took this recommendation, and transferred the ice boat to the heirs of its former owner. 

Reconstruction origin

Before 1908 <> 1943 (?)

Andries Witmond (collection), Monnickendam

Museum inventory

1943 (?) <> 1951-09-27

Water-sport centre, Katwoude

Museum inventory

1951-09-27

Purchased by the museum from the water-sport centre

Museum inventory

1951-09-27 <> 2015-05-18

Zuiderzeemuseum