Wim Noordzij welcomed all invitees and volunteers in his first official act as chairman. He gave the floor to historian Arie van den Ban – who has seen to it that the ramtower ship is in Hellevoetsluis – after handing him the first photo book about the exhibition. “Then I am almost out of my incurred expenses already; joked Arie, before leafing through the book with interest. After pointing out the two pins on his lapel (Honorary Man-New Member of the Buffalo and Knight of the Order of the Stirrup) he went into his lecture on historical parallels that can be drawn around the Buffalo. And an important fact: The Buffalo never did what it was built to do. The ship had become obsolete due to the development of guns. Arie van den Ban then addressed the city council: ‘It is high time that Hellevoetsluis is put better on the map. Brielle is much better off in that respect than we are here. People should come here for a day in Hellevoet lock. Watching a ship dock, listening to the guns being fired. The three ships docked here should become an integral part of that day out. Buffalo chairman Wim Noordzij solemnly promised Arie that he will work hard to make his wish come true.’ And I will make the necessary haste,- he added smiling, referring to both of their ages.

Tentoonstelling
After a period of 128 years, the historic ramship Buffalo has been rearmed. In the exhibit aboard the ship, the historic armament is displayed and described in an attractive exhibit. The project was carried out in close cooperation with historical
(weapons) experts, National Military Museum Soesterberg and historians from the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam. Several original and thus historic small arms were also on display for this exhibition. The exhibition was made possible in part by sponsorship from historian Arie van den Ban theme park H istoryland in Hellevoetsluis. The ramtor ship Buffalo is unique maritime heritage and has been on display in Hellevoetsluis’ historic fortified harbor since 2013. 1 n a turbulent period in European history, developments in shipbuilding, propulsion, armament and armor of warships followed each other in rapid succession, which is well covered in the exhibition. Visit www.debuffel.nl for opening hours and admission prices for The Buffalo. With the Museum Year Card or a Veterans Pass, the ship is free to visit.

www.groothellevoet.nl | April 24, 20224