de Boeg

At the entrance of Leuvenhaven, on the riverbank of the Maas, stands the de Boeg monument, dedicated to the Dutch Merchant Navy.

The monument was created by Fread Carasso to honor the sailors who lost their lives at sea during World War II. Around 500 Dutch merchant ships were sunk, resulting in the loss of approximately 3,500 sailors. These ships were involved in transporting soldiers, weapons, and food to England and Russia.

The monument symbolizes rebirth after liberation. It consists of a stylized 46-meter-tall ship’s bow cutting through concrete waves.

In 1965, Fred Carasso added a group of sculptures around the monument to emphasize the human aspect. The group includes a helmsman, three sailors, and a drowning victim, all bound together by a rope, struggling against the water.

The group of sculptures aims to express the sacrifices and bravery shown by the Dutch merchant fleet during the war, serving as an inspiration for the entire country.

On the base of the monument, you can read the inscription “they held their course.”

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