So begins the first part of the conversion process. We had decided to bring the hold height and length back to their original size. Wonderful job by Wilbert and the scheepswerf Het Anker team which entailed removing first the section welded on for the flat aluminium hatch covers, and then removing the middle section whilst keeping everything stable, and of, course, then re-welding everything together. We also removed the Kalffdek to restore the original gangway. Within the hold, we added two five-ton steel water tanks under the foredeck and then created a new watertight bulkhead which could be accessed from the office. Under the would-be office floor we also added a five-ton waste water tank (never put to use). Once that was done, we installed the central support beam and supports for the steel roof to keep the hold area dry.
Cutting the middle section out 
Bringing it back to the original height 
Middle section removed 
Brother Howard doing a sterling job 
New supports needed 
Bringing the hold back to original size 
Now leaving a good gap 
Adding an additional watertight bulkhead 
Building in a waste water tank 
Plating up the foredeck 
7 
Removing the Kalffdek 
Kalffdek supports 
Gangway shows no rusted areas 
The only rusted section found 
Difficult to find good staff 
Adding the steel roof 
Even Wilbert’s Dad helps with the welding 
Steel roof now finished… 
and so begins the work… 
in the hold to remove the cargo floor 
More light with the portholes 
Port water tank (rear) 
Starboard water tank (forward) 
The worst job was to clear out the detritus from the last 70 years that had seeped through the wooden cargo floor.