The trough, with the ladder, could be lowered or raised by means of a windlass; it passed through an opening which was not in the axis of the boat. In the larger half of the vessel was placed the shaft which, by means of gearings, transmitted to the ladder the movement produced by the horses. These gearings were similar to those of the old wind mills. A horse power and a stable were constructed on the deck of the boat. The Ghent paper _Het Volksbelang_ published the _Eigenhaard_ article in its issue of June 9, 1906. Some doubts are emitted, however, about 1632 being the authentic year of the invention, because the following annotation is found in the _Resolutie boek van de Staten van Vlaanderen_ of 1628-1630, Fᵒ 16 (_Archives of the State_, at Ghent.--Nᵒ 553): “Actum den XXII May 1628 wierd den Ingeniaris Adam Clippens, ghemaackt hebbende den slijckmeulen, gelicentieert en de gheordonneert hem te geven ordonnantie van betalijnghe den dach van merghen mitghaders hondert guldenen voor eene vereeringhe zoo ghedaen is geweest”[25]. From which it would appear that a mechanical dredge must have been built in Flanders in 1628. Hence the year given by Abbing cannot be correct, or else the same machine might have been invented at two different places at about the same period. The question is not yet settled, but, be that as it may, it must be granted that the first mechanical dredge was at work in the XVIIth century. THE “TJOTTER”. [Sidenote: III 91] [Sidenote: II 247] [Sidenote: II 248] Pleasure boats or Yachts have been described so often and so many different types have been used as such that they could be passed by in silence. Let it suffice to mention the _Tjotter_, which is spread throughout Friesland, and the _Friesch Bootje_. The “Tjotter” is a full, short and broad craft of elegant lines and steady on the water. It has a great deal of sheer, is fore-and-aft rigged (bazaantuig) and is generally very well finished. THE “LAADBAK” AND THE “ZOLDERSCHUIT”. [Sidenote: III 74-76] The _Laadbak_ and the _Zolderschuit_ are so well known that nothing more will be done than to refer to the drawings given of these two vessels. THE “ONDERLEGGER”. It is worth while to point out still another very serviceable boat which has always been much in use. It is the _Onderlegger_ of which an engraving is given by ~Witsen~ (p. 175) and which was used for heaving vessels down for repairs, for pulling piles out of the ground, for hoisting in masts, etc. It was 60 feet long, 16 feet broad, and 6½ feet deep and carried two capstans. THE “BOVENLANDERS”.