rth Sea Canal

The North Sea Canal is a Dutch ship canal from Amsterdam to the North Sea at IJmuiden, built between 1865 and 1876 to enable seafaring vessels to attain the port of Amsterdam. This man-made channel terminates at Amsterdam inside the closed-off IJ Bay, which in flip connects to the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal. The drainage of the canal to the North Sea is achieved via the Spui Locks at IJmuiden, augmented by means of the largest pumping station in Europe. This device is vital to the groundwater management of the Western Netherlands.

To enhance the connection among the harbour of Amsterdam and the North Sea, the North Holland Canal was constructed in 1824. But this lengthy and slender canal become quickly inadequate to address the growing boat site visitors. A few decades later it changed into decided to dig a brand new canal at the narrowest factor in Holland and thereby presenting the shortest route to the ocean. Digging began on 8 March 1865, at the dunes of Breesaap and lasted until 1876. Since no Dutch organisation was willing to take on this task, the project was provided to an English contractor.