The Witte Swaen is a replica of the expedition ship belonging to Willem Barentsz, which met its end in the late 16th century on Novaya Zemlya. The vessel became trapped in the ice, and its timbers—along with other available wood—were used to construct a shelter known as *Het Behouden Huys* ("The Saved House"), where the crew spent the winter. The following spring, two small boats were made seaworthy, allowing the seventeen survivors to begin their journey back to civilization. Barentsz passed away a week after their departure. His men eventually reached Kola, where they were rescued by a Dutch merchant vessel. The replica was built in Harlingen under the supervision of master shipbuilder Gerald de Weerdt, with the assistance of many local volunteers. Construction began in 2010; the ship was christened and launched in 2018, and was completed in 2022.
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