The Bark EUROPA
| Build | 1911 |
| Home port | Scheveningen, Netherlands |
| LOA | 56 meter |
| Width | 7,4 meter |
| Draught | 3,9 meter |
| Hight | 33 meter |
| Maximum sails up | 1250 m2 |
| Engines | 2 x 365 pk Caterpillar |
| Call sign | PDZS |
1937-1970: Rebuilding for pilots and navigation tests
In 1937 ELBE 3 was refitted to accommodate 10 pilots in addition to her regular crew. By the 1970’s, she was serving as a reserve lightship (under the number P8) and was often used to test modern navigation equipment, still without an engine, but now equipped with a generator for electricity.
1986: A new life in Zaandam
In 1986 a new chapter in the ship’s life began when Harry Smit purchased the hull, with the vision of transforming her into a fully operational sailing ship. Over the course of eight years, the ship underwent a major restoration at shipyards in Amsterdam, at ‘Zouthaventje’ and in Zaandam at shipyard Wed. Brouwer.
Harry was a passionate restorer of traditional ships. He not only rebuilt the vessel itself, but also collected parts from demolition yards that could be reused. Many parts that were installed on Europa came from minesweepers, ferries and riverboats. Within 8 years, Harry was able to build his dream and breathe new life into the ship: a classic barque with international certificates ready to sail the world’s oceans.
Harry worked with skilled professionals such as Hoek Design (for design and drawings), George Ording (rigger and blockmaker) and Piet Dekker (ship carpenter), but also with conscientious objectors who, even after completing their alternative service, often continued to assist in the restoration.
Initially, Harry intended to charter or sell the ship to the Landmark School in Massachusetts, a school that used large sailing yachts for students with dyslexia. However, when the school abandoned its ‘school at sea’ project, Europa was transformed into a sail training vessel capable of accommodating 64 sailors. In 1994, she was officially reborn as Bark EUROPA and began her second life – not as a passenger ship, but as a special-purpose ship for sail training.
1994: Reborn as EUROPA
Over the years, EUROPA has become a beloved icon in the maritime world, participating in Tall Ship events, ocean crossings and Antarctica expeditions. Bark EUROPA was present at Sail Amsterdam in 1995, 2000, 2005, 2015 and 2025.
In the late 1990’s additional sky and studdingsails were added to her rigging and by 2000 she and her crew had gained enough experience in European waters to begin global voyages.
