Discover the Hoge Berg

The Skillepaadje pathway and the Skilsloot ditch formed an important connection in the heyday of the Texel Roads. Small barges transported barrels of fresh drinking water from the Wezenputten wells, via the Skilsloot, to the Wadden Sea dyke. This water was destined for the seagoing vessels anchored on the Roads.

Shells

In historical documents the name ‘Schilpad’ or ‘Schelpad’ is mentioned. The path was originally made of shells and laid in 1619. Later it was paved with yellow paving bricks. It was strictly forbidden to ride horses or carriages over the path.

Pumping, transporting, hoisting

The drinking water which was pumped up at the foot of the Hoge Berg was extremely pure and rich in iron. This resulted in it staying fresh for a long time and seagoing vessels were keen to take a supply of this water on board. The barrels were pumped full at the Wezenputten wells, securely closed and then transported to the dyke on small barges. There they were hoisted over the dyke using a capstan winch and brought out to the ships in sloops. Rowers completed the last stage. They brought the barrels on board the seagoing vessels. The orphanage in Den Burg managed the extraction and sale of the drinking water.

Barrel names

There were both large and small barrels and each barrel had a different name. ‘Leggers’ (meaning ‘layers’ as they would lay in the ship’s hold for a long time) were barrels holding almost 600 litres. 300 litre barrels were called ‘varkens’ (pigs) and the 150 litre barrels were called ‘kardelen’ (cords). A VOC ship with a 300-man crew took 170 ‘leggers’ and 27 ‘varkens’ on board for the journey. That meant a lot of work per ship but also a considerable income for the Texel orphanage.

Towards the harbour

When the harbour was dug out in 1780, it made sense to extend the Skilsloot towards the harbour. There the barrels of water could be hoisted onto the sloops more easily. The peak of economic activity on the Roads had already passed. Demand for water from the Wezenputten wells soon decreased. The extended Skilsloot continued to provide a connection for the water supply for a long time, but then only for inhabitants of Oudeschild.