De Nieuwe Waterweg

In the 19th century, Rotterdam was already one of the largest ports in the world. Due to the increase in the number of ships, there was a major capacity problem. Hydraulic engineer Pieter Caland was commissioned by the Waterstaatdienst Holland to cross the'Hook of Holland\\\' and extend the Rhine estuary to the sea. The execution of the works started in 1864. In 1872 the Nieuwe Waterweg became a fact and Rotterdam was easily accessible.