Edam sea lock
A sea lock without the sea. Built on the Zuiderzee in 1829, this lock ended up on the IJsselmeer when the Afsluitdijk was built in 1932. The lock is still used a lot by recreational boats, and passing through it is a key part of walking routes.
Open connection to the Zuiderzee
Edam was granted city rights in 1357 and was also allowed to dig a canal through the city between the Zuiderzee and the Purmermeer. This connection led to a flourishing of shipping and trade. However, this new sea channel posed a danger to the area behind it. The ebb and flow of the tide allowed (sea) water to flow in and out, causing the land to erode. To counteract this, Emperor Charles V decided in 1544 to close off the open sea channels with locks.
Edam sea lock
In January 1825, a severe storm surge swept across the Zuiderzee. After a dike breach at Durgerdam, Waterland and the Zaan region disappeared under water. This storm disaster prompted the water board responsible for the existing locks in Edam, the Hoogheemraadschap van de Uitwaterende Sluizen, to build a large new lock at the mouth of the port of Edam in the Zuiderzee. This replaced three old locks in one fell swoop. The new sea lock, completed in 1829, not only meant a major improvement in water safety, but was also beneficial for shipping.
The lock is over 34 metre and 9 metre , which was quite large for its time. The total cost was 200,000 guilders, of which 100,000 was covered by a loan for which William I granted permission on July 21, 1827. During construction, an experiment was carried out with artificial cement invented by the Carius factory in Utrecht, consisting of dredged material from the IJ and clay.
On July 27, 1827, a bluestone memorial stone was placed on the southern lock wall bearing the coat of arms of the Water Board of the Drainage Locks and the names of the dike reeve and water board members of 'Drainage Locks' ( ).
The text on the stone reads:
Founded and built in the years / 1828 and 1829 / Dike Reeve: / F.C.W. Druyvesteyn / Water Board Members: / H. van Vladeracken / T. Waagmeester / W. Smit / Jr. Mr. D. van Foreest / Secretary Treasurer: / M.J. De Lange /
The first stone laid by / F.D.C. Druyvesteyn, aged 12 / H.G.C. van Vladeracken, aged 8 / Master builders: / C.W.M. Klijn commenced / D. de Leeuw completed.
Line of Amsterdam
The Zeesluis Edam is part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam. The Defense Line is a circular military defense line with a radius of fifteen to twenty kilometre Amsterdam, consisting of forts, batteries, ammunition depots, and inundation sluices. The Defense Line is part of the Dutch Waterlines, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sea lock played an important role in controlling inundations (the deliberate flooding) of the De Zeevang polder. Water from the Zuiderzee could be let into the De Zeevang polder via the Pompsluis in Edam and the Purmerringvaart. It was too shallow for the enemy to sail through and too deep for men and horses.
Sluice gate and renovations
The lock currently connects the inland waterway with the Markermeer. To bridge the 25 cm difference in height, ships can be raised (up) or lowered (down) in the lock. There is a fish passage in the lock. Fish can always swim through the lock via the sluice gates (inlet and outlet slides in the doors).
The lock was renovated in the winter of 2015-2016. Wooden parts were replaced, masonry and joints were cleaned, and paintwork was refurbished. The electrical installation was renewed and modernized. In 2019, new cast iron fencing was installed around the lock.
Complex
North of the lock is the modern gatehouse. Former lock keeper Gerda Meulink worked here for almost 25 years. She never got bored; she also made jewellery on her sewing machine. Next to it is the former lock keeper's house, dating from around 1829. This building housed a taproom, which provided extra income for the lock keeper. Here, drinks were served to passing skippers. For a long time, the building also served as a meeting place for the board of the 'Uitwaterende Sluizen' water board.
South of the lock, a work of art was installed in 1996 by the Amsterdam Inland Shipping Society as a reminder of the history of shipbuilding and inland shipping in relation to the cities of Amsterdam and Edam.
