These are three models by artist Henny Fransen of different Dutch fishing ships called Botters. It took approximately 25-30 hrs to construct each model and they were made from just visual observations of the ships at the port of Hoorn. The first, called VD1 (VD stands for Volendam) was made in 1985. This is the one pictured on the top left. The one on the top right was built in 1996. It has no name and is just called Yardnumber21 (SIB21.) The third and fourth pictures are of the same ship, called SIB 48. It was built in 2006--note how the builder's skills have grown over the years! Botters are sturdy, solidly built wooden fishing ships with one mast, supported by just one stay to the bow. Under the high, round bow the crews quarters, the midships and the poop were low, to make it easier to get the "catch" on board. On both side the "swords," are needed to keep the boat on course because of their very limited draught. (it was lowered on the of-wind side, like a sort of removable keel). In the mid-ships of the Botter there was always a big box, know as the "bun". This box was the entrance to the bottom of the ship where the fish were kept alive. This was necessary because the ships were too small to store barrels. So they took the fish home alive, to work up there.