Terneuzen Hoedekenskerke 

Hoedekenskerke has always had several ferry connections, mainly with Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, further down south. The last ferry connected Hoedekenskerke with Terneuzen (to the south, in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen). This ferry connection was managed by the Provincial Steamboatservices (P.S.D.) and was carried out by the ferry “Prince William I”. In 1929 the ferry port “De Val” was put into service and a watch-house was build. The ferry connection was dissolved on 2 January 1972.

 

The disaster of 1953

In the stormy night of 31 January on 1 February

1953, Dhr. Jacob Leijs (born 15.09.1891) gave

his life in the harbour of Hoedekenskerke. He

tried to dock the last ferry coming in from

Terneuzen. Jacob was the first victim of the

North Sea flood of 1953, a disaster which cost

1854 people their lives.

 

Leijs was the start of what no one forgot.