Today, you won’t find them in the harbour anymore, but 750 years ago you would have seen them walking inside a large wheel to operate the crane. Not as a work out, but to earn a living. The unique profession of the Crane Kids no longer exists today. And the cranes? You can still find them everywhere in the harbour!
Some 750 years ago, the City of Antwerp purchased the first crane to load and unload ships at the quay. In 1263, the treadwheel crane made its appearance in the heart of Antwerp’s port, at the 'werf' (shipyard). That shipyard is the natural mooring place for ships in the Scheldt. According to one theory, the name Antwerp derives from the phrase ‘aan de werp’ [‘at the shipyard’], referring to the approach to the city by boat.
A ‘crane master’ operates the crane and directs the Crane Kids. These are usually small but particularly strong men who walk under the crane in a large wooden wheel. Turning the wheel makes the ropes move. It is hard work, but at that time it was the fastest way to load and unload tons of wine, fish or grain.
This painting by Sebastiaan Vrancx shows a crane standing in the Antwerp shipyard in 1516. Up to the 16th century, this served as the main area for loading and unloading ships. In 1811, the crane disappeared to make way for the industrial revolution. The shipyard itself ceased to exist by the end of that century following the straightening of the quays.
From the nineteenth century onwards, steam engines replaced the Crane Kids. Large steam engines exert pressure on a network of pipelines through which water flows. The cranes are also connected to the network. Pressure building in the pipelines enables the cranes to move. The number of cranes also increases significantly due to the booming trade. In 1880, there are 17 cranes in the port. In 1930, there are as many as 300.
In 1975, the last steam crane disappeared from the port of Antwerp. But not from Antwerp. Today, you can admire an impressive collection of historic harbour cranes on the Scheldt Quays.Thiscollection of eighteen cranes in total forms part of the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) and represents the largest and most diverse collection of harbour cranes in the world!
Nowadays, cargo is no longer transported in wooden barrels, but in large containers. Gigantic cranes as high as 90 metres lift the containers onto the quay or onto the ship. Once on the quay, 'straddle carriers' pick up the containers and place them in the correct location. These straddle carriers do not require human power or steam, but use diesel engines for their difficult work. They are now undergoing another revolution, with the latest models powered by alternative energy sources such as electricity or (green) hydrogen.
Thanks to state-of-the-art batteries, this electric straddle carrier can recharge itself in just ninety minutes. With a full battery, the straddle carrier can move containers for four hours. This makes it far more powerful than those powered by the Crane Kids and more durable than the steam cranes.
