During the occupation of the Netherlands the Germans made it impossible to carry out any maintenance work on our shores or any sounding, soil investigation or current-measurement work off the coast, in the estuary of the ScheIdt or in the channels between the Frisian Islands. The w'Ork of Dr. Jahan van Veen, then leader 'Of this survey, therefore came to a standstill. He then came to me and asked me to give him some task, so that he, an indefatigable worker, could continue to have work, the best antidote against the German poison, which affected only permanently unempl'Oyed men. I knew his love for the history of our traditional handling 'Of the defence against the water. An all-round study had never been published, fDr in normal times a man with full knowledge of this type 'Of work cannot find time fDr such a study, as water is our everlasting enemy, which must be kept under continual close observation. Fr'Om Dr. van Veen's book it will be olear that the Dutch manner of dredging, draining and reclaiming is a combination of traditions inherited from our ancestors and applied science to cope with modern demands. This tradition is in 'Our blood. A more intimate knowledge of it will, I hope, furnish a key to some of the salient points in our national character.