After two years of restoration work in The Netherlands, the “iconic” steam grain vacuum “Graanzuiger 19” (“Grain Vacuum 19”) is back in Antwerp. This only functioning steam-operated grain vacuum still in existence in the world. It has enjoyed official recognition by the regional authorities as “Flemish Floating Cultural Heritage” since 2018.
Antwerp
The world's only remaining steam-powered grain elevator returns to Antwerp
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So-called grain vacuum, also known as grain elevators, were used to load grain or wheat but also sand and the like back and forth between ships, trains and trucks. The introduction of grain elevators was an important step in the automisation of the docks. They were able to do the work of hundreds of dockers. Nowadays, the transshipment of bulk goods is done using grab excavators.
The Flemish Minister responsible for Cultural Heritage Matthias Diependaele (nationalist) told VRT News that a grain elevator works in roughly the same way as a domestic vacuum cleaner. “Most people probably can't imagine how it works, but it actually a kind of giant vacuum cleaner. It sucked the grain out of the sea-faring freighters and unloaded it either onto land or into an inland waterways barge. This is an important facet our maritime cultural heritage and has contributed to our prosperity.”
The “Graanzuiger 19” was built between 1926 and 1927 at the John Cockerill Shipyard at Hoboken near Antwerp. It was based on a design by Luther AG in Braunschweig, Germany. It is over 30 meters high, 30 meters long and 10 meters wide. It is powered by a compound steam engine with 2 cylinders and 275 horsepower. It was in use at the port of Antwerp from 1927 until it was decommissioned in 1984. A year later it was acquired by the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam.
Source of spare parts
The museum in Rotterdam actually bought the “Graanzuiger 19” as a source of spare parts to help it restore another steam grain elevator.
However, it proved to be in much better condition than the one that the museum wished restore. In 2015, Antwerp’s MAS museum and the Maritime Museum Rotterdam got together and set up a foundation to finance the restoration of the grain vacuum. Additional funds came from the Flemish monument protection authority. The “Graanzuiger 19” will be on display alternately in both Antwerp and Rotterdam.
Now the steam grain vacuum elevator has been freshly restored it will require maintenance to ensure that it remains in top condition. The MAS Museum in Antwerp is currently also looking for help to maintain the piece of floating heritage.
The “Graanzuiger 19” is moored at the Droogdokken in the port of Antwerp. It can be visited until the end of October every Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.