South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-28
START TO RECLAIM
THE ZUYDER ZEE
Holland to Undertook One of
Worlds Greatest Engin-
eering Projects.

THE HAGUE. Jan. 27.-work is
% begin this year on the retaining
OF the Zuyder Zee. one Of the worlds
greatest engineering projects. by
which II is proposed to restore 10
Holland within So years what was
once hers but was taken away by
the storms Of many centuries.
When the work is finished, not
only the original land viii be re-
stored but many thousands OF acres
which always have been beneath
the sea will be ready for cultivation.
According TO pre-war estimates
the entire work OF retaining the
zuyder Zee would have cost ap-
proximately Sss,sOO,0OO, but with
the increased cost Of labor and ma
terials in the past six years, it is
now believed the cost will be well in
excess Of 1925, 100000. The work
will be done and paid for by the
state. through special loans, and
the state, through rental OF the
land reclaimed. expects the scheme
10 pay for itself within a few years
and thereafter yield a handsome
revenue.
The total amount Of land TO be
reclaimed will be S27 square miles,
which will constitute a twelfth OF
Holland. capable OF supporting
population OF 100000 and wherein
several cities OF ancient trading
fame are expected to be restored TO
commercial importance.
Engineering Under Way.
The engineering work is now we'll
under way.
Centuries ago. at the beginning Of
the Christian era when the Romans
had their settlements in Holland,
much OF the space now occupied by
the Zuyder zee was land and the
south part of the present sea was
a lake called Flevo. Northwest
tempests swept the North sea wash
ing away the tract of dry land be-
tween the sea and the lake. One
large. shallow body OF water-tae
Zuyder Zee-was formed.
The towns situated on its banks,
throve as the merchantmen came
into their ports. But, as ships be-
came larger and of deeper draft
traffic was diverted to deeper seas,
leaving the onee-famOus towns on
the Zuyder's shores mere fishing
villages. which they are now, while
Amsterdam's commerce came to her
through a canal leading direct to
the North sea
DIR. A. A. Beekman of The Hague,
who has devoted nearly all his life
TO the ideal Of retaining the
Zuyder Zee. explained the plans to
the Associated Press correspondent.
lie is now a member of the state
council which viii carry out the
work.
Build Big Dixie.
The first thing 10 do" said DR..
Beekman. lis 10 construct a gigan-
tic dixie to keep out the North sea.
This will be 80 miles long. stretch
ing from wieringen to the Tristan
coast where the water ranges in
depth from 80 10 IL feet. II will be
everywhere Is TO II feet above the
sea level. There will be a double
track railway on top Of the dixie.
It's construction will take nine years,
and its cost, by pre-war estimates,
will be more than $2O.OO0,0OO.
The total surface to be reclaimed
is S27 square miles. There viii re-
main a lake OF 500 square miles,
which will act as a reservoir during
the periods when, owing 20 north
western storms. the waters OF the
river Yssel and OF the canals be
emptied into the north sea The
water OF the lake viii be let out in
10 the North sea through five great
sluices at the wieringen end Of the
dixie.
.fNIost OF the land to be reclaim
ed now lies Is feet beneath the sea
level. Part OF it IS expected to be
dry within IA years, as pumping out
will begin as soon as the dixie is
completed. The last OF the land is
expected 10 be dry within 80 years"