No, it is not the name of the current residents. ‘Janssen’ refers to the original name of this old barge: ‘H.J. 16’. The H and J stand for Hermanus Janssen, founder of the “Steamboat Company H. Janssen” in 1877. At the time, it was an important player in the turnpike from Amsterdam and Rotterdam to Brabant and Limburg.

The shipping company’s nearly 70 ships were also called “the yellow peril” because of their distinctive color. The “Janssen 57” was the company’s last ship and sailed cargo for about 65 years. The deck space and rigging for loading and unloading are typical features of such a turntable vessel.

The current owners bought it in 2003, shortened it to its original length and are still working on its restoration. Coincidence? The “Janssen 57” is located right near where the shipping company’s office used to be.