After such a busy day yesterday we have a relaxed morning, before setting off for the 12 mile drive to the Cruquius Museum.
Named after Nicolaus Samuel Cruquius, a land surveyor, the museum houses the largest steam engine in the world.
Built in 1849 by Harvey of Hayle in Cornwall, its single cylinder is 3.66 metres diameter. The piston lifts a huge cast iron spider that is connected to 8 radial beams, driving 8 pumps supplied by Fox’s of Falmouth. Each pump lifts 8000 litres [8 tonnes] of water per stroke. At an operating speed of 5 strokes per minute the pump displaces 19200 tonnes per hour, and it worked virtually non-stop for over 3 years draining the polder and continued working until 1935.
The guide then sets the whole thing in motion and we watch in amazement the 8 beams oscillating in unison. Through windows we can see the pumps on the ends of their rods lifting water into the pool.
Another engine, built by Cockerill, has a huge main wheel perhaps 20 feet in diameter, with wooden gear teeth. Nick asks why and is told that gear teeth are likely to be damaged sand wooden ones are easily replaced while cast iron repairs were not possible at the time.
There are other pumps, some working models of engines by Newcomen, Watt and Boulton-Watt, plus a model of the polders and their drainage systems.
After our visit we go to the cafe for coffee and apple cake, followed by a walk along the canal before returning to site.
Ali does spag-bol and we have an early night hoping for an early start tomorrow.