Imagine being a log, slowly drifting along the Kostverlorenvaart canal. It’s the 17th century and you are headed toward De Otter. This isn’t just any mill. De Otter stands as the last of approximately 26 sawmills once bustling in Amsterdam.
De Otter, also known as The Otter, isn’t just old. Built around 1631, it is the oldest paltrok mill in the country. Picture this sawmill district. No less than 49 sawmills were located here.
Paltrok mills get their peculiar name from a loose-fitting gentleman’s jacket. From afar, their silhouette resembles someone wearing such a coat. De Otter uses wind power to operate its saws.
The location of De Otter is no accident. Waterways provide wind and easy wood delivery. Powered by the mill, a hoisting crane lifts logs from the water. These logs then become planks on the sawing floor. Afterward, workers dry and store the wood in sheds. Shipbuilding and housing construction rely on this process.
Gerrit van der Beyl bought De Otter in 1817. His firm expanded by acquiring neighboring sawmills. However, the city started growing by the late 19th century. The mills were threatened. One by one, they disappeared. By the early 20th century, De Otter likely ceased production. In 1925, the sails were removed after the wooden windshaft broke. Yet, the mill stood. In 1931, the last operational windmill, De Eenhoorn, was dismantled. De Otter became the sole survivor.
De Otter was nearly moved. The owner wanted to relocate it to Uitgeest. The local government refused. Several court cases ensued between 2006 and 2011. The courts decided De Otter must stay in its original location.
De Otter is a Rijksmonument, a protected building. This paltrok mill rests on a central post and wooden rollers. It uses a tailpole and winch to catch the wind. The sails have a span of 19.50 meters. Three cranks drive the three wooden sawing frames.
De Otter faced challenges. Buildings obstructed its wind access. It stands still today, but in April 2019, its sails turned again. G.T. van der Bijl B.V. bought the mill grounds. Their goal is to restore De Otter and open it to the public. The company has been involved with the mill grounds for over 200 years.
De Otter represents Amsterdam’s Golden Age. It is a reminder of the city’s rich history. Hopefully, De Otter will soon run again. It is a symbol of Dutch ingenuity and perseverance.