Drenkelingenhuisje Oosterend - Special buildings

The Drenkelingenhuisje is a small and modest building on the Dutch island of Terschelling. It is located on the west coast of the island, near the village of West-Terschelling. The cottage is a reminder of the time when the coast of Terschelling was notorious for the number of shipwrecks and drowning people who washed up here.

The Drenkelingenhuisje was built in 1833 and was intended as a shelter for drowning people who washed up on the coast . The cottage provided protection and a place to warm up for those stranded on the dangerous coasts of Terschelling. At that time there was no rescue brigade or coast guard and the inhabitants of Terschelling took responsibility for rescuing drowning people themselves.

A small house

The house was small and simple, with only ééone room and a fireplace. There were no beds or other facilities, but it did provide protection from the elements. The inhabitants of Terschelling provided food and drink for the drowning people and helped them to contact their families or the authorities.

Establishment of the Rescue Brigade

Over the years, the Drenkelingenhuisje accommodated many drowning people. In some years, dozens of people washed up on the coasts of Terschelling, mainly seamen who were stranded during heavy storms in the North Sea. The cottage was a beacon of hope and salvation for those who washed up on the coast.

After the establishment of the rescue brigade and the coastguard, the Drenkelingenhuisje became redundant. However, the building was preserved as a reminder of the history of Terschelling and as a tribute to those who risked their lives to save drowning people.

Important reminder

Today the Drenkelingenhuisje is a popular tourist attraction on Terschelling. Visitors can tour the house and learn more about the history of the rescue operations on Terschelling. The cottage is also a reminder of the courage and perseverance of the inhabitants of Terschelling who risked their own lives to save others.

At a time when modern technologies such as satellite navigation and communications have made it safer, the Drenkelingenhuisje remains an important reminder of the history of Terschelling and of those who risked their lives to save others. It reminds us that the sea can always be dangerous and that we must continue to help and protect each other, regardless of technological progress.