In the chilly workhalls of Den Argentin, former dockworkers and stevedores work steadily on. With seasoned hands and a wealth of experience, they dedicate themselves to breathing new life into old machines and tools. It is tough work, especially in winter, but their motivation is stronger than the cold. They understand the value of this heritage and refuse to let their knowledge and craftsmanship fade away. Here, amid the scent of oil and the sound of scraping metal, the spirit of the port remains alive.

Jan and Julien – mechanics

“We are standing next to the heaviest forklift we have. It comes from Westerlund and was made in Germany. For seventeen years, it stood outside, exposed to the elements. When it arrived here, it seemed like a hopeless case. The steering was full of water—we removed that—and the entire vehicle was seized up with rust.

The engine and pump were completely corroded, but we restored them step by step. My good friend and colleague Julien overhauled the cylinder head and reassembled it, and that’s how we eventually got the forklift running again. It drives now, but unfortunately, lifting is no longer possible. Some parts we managed to find at a vintage equipment dealer in the south of France.

This forklift weighs 7 tons and was originally capable of lifting 5 tons. Normally, it would have a Perkins engine—an English engine—but this one is exceptionally fitted with a sixty-year-old Mercedes engine. Mercedes was known to be more reliable than Perkins, which is why this engine was widely used at the docks.

Freddy repainted the vehicle, and now we are working on the final touches. The importer was particularly enthusiastic about this forklift because so many original parts are still intact.

What makes this forklift extra special is the removable counterweight at the back. The city’s cranes could only lift 5 tons, and since the forklift itself weighed 7 tons, it couldn’t simply be hoisted into a ship’s hold. That’s why the 3-ton counterweight was detached, splitting the machine into two parts of 4 and 3 tons. Once inside the hold, the counterweight was reattached using a special safety bolt.

That safety bolt was crucial because, without it, the counterweight could come loose. Unfortunately, maintenance was sometimes neglected, and the bolt wasn’t always installed. People assumed the weight would stay in place within a groove in the chassis, but with heavy rattling, it occasionally came loose. This could lead to serious accidents—and it did. A forklift like this has a long history behind it, with many dangers and lessons. We do our best to bring it back to life, but always with respect for the past and the people who worked with it.

Fred – electrician in the chemical sector

“Antigoon was a neglected child, abandoned at the docks. The crane was eventually taken on as a school project with the intention of restoring it. The school completely dismantled the crane but never reassembled it. That’s how it ended up here, at Den Argentin, in pieces on pallets.

With several people, we started working on it, and now, after four to five years, it is almost finished. All the original parts have been recovered, except for the bodywork. It was in such poor condition that we could no longer use it. We did keep the old bodywork, but we completely recreated a new one, with an identical paint color and lettering.

The crane is no longer operational because some engine parts are missing and can no longer be found. However, the engine itself has been completely reconstructed and is visible. Starting it up would be too dangerous, as the safety mechanisms no longer work. The crane would keep pulling, keep moving… That’s why we chose to set it up permanently, so it perfectly showcases how it originally looked and functioned.

We are now in the finishing phase. The exterior still needs to be fully lacquered, the interior further cleaned and also lacquered. In addition, the crane will receive an anti-rust treatment, and the underside will be completely coated. For the hoist, we did not use cables but ropes of similar thickness to demonstrate how the hoist was originally guided.

In addition, we are working on the restoration of a small 100 kg bascule scale so that it can once again weigh with an accuracy of up to 10 grams. These antique scales are extremely precise. The difference between a bascule and a tripod scale—both types of weighing instruments—is that the bascule operates on a ratio of 1:10 or 1:100. To weigh 1 ton, you only need to counterbalance it with 10 kg. With a tripod scale, the ratio is simply 1:1. Moreover, a bascule is more compact and easier to transport, whereas a tripod scale is more cumbersome to dismantle and more prone to damage during transport.

Visitors can place weights themselves and experience how precise these devices are and how heavy certain port objects weigh. We also have a larger one of 1000 kg, a KN3. The question remains: do we leave these devices in their aged state, marked by the passage of time, or do we repaint them to restore their original appearance? Sometimes, it is easier to repaint a device and then bring it back to its original state.

Roger – miller

“When we work on these old machines, it feels like we are bringing a piece of history back to life. In front of us are an overhead-driven drilling machine and a bandsaw, both witnesses to an era where craftsmanship and mechanical innovation went hand in hand. But the passage of time has left its marks: rust, moisture damage, and wear threaten to diminish their historical value. That’s why we do everything we can to clean and restore them with respect and care.

Our first step is always a thorough cleaning. We carefully degrease the machines, remove dirt and dust, and sand the affected parts. Then, we lubricate the necessary components again to protect them from further corrosion. Although we cannot make the machines operational again—both for safety reasons and due to current regulations—we can preserve them as best as possible so that they remain a tangible part of our heritage.

Take the old bandsaw for woodworking, for example. This type of machine was originally powered by a motor, an advanced technique for its time. The drilling machine next to us is even rarer. We can hardly find any documentation on this model, and how the drive belts were arranged remains a mystery. I search through archival records dating back to 1820, but so far, I have only found sketches without any indication of the drive system. This makes the restoration all the more challenging—and fascinating.

Some devices in our collection surprise us with their advanced technology. One of the machines we are currently working on dates back to 1820-1830 and features a fully overhead drive system. Moreover, it has multiple drive mechanisms, which is remarkable for that period. This demonstrates how progressive people already were in thinking about automation and efficiency in the workshop.

Our volunteer Julien can assess the historical value of these machines like no other. During his career, he worked with similar devices and remembers how they were used in the port to repair tools and equipment. His stories bring history to life and provide valuable context for our restoration work.

Thanks to these efforts, we can not only keep the past tangible but also showcase the evolution of technology and craftsmanship to future generations. These machines may no longer be operational, but their story continues to live on.”

Freddy – driver of cranes and tractors

I am currently working on refreshing a port tractor—a powerful workhorse capable of both pushing heavy loads and carrying out repairs. This is an intensive process in which I first thoroughly degrease the tractor and then repaint it.

This particular tractor has a powerful front push function used to move train wagons and other heavy materials. At the rear, a welding machine is mounted, allowing it to be used for repair work as well. This makes it a versatile machine, although the push function and the welding unit were not always perfectly compatible.

I have been working on this project for several months and am now focused on repainting and refreshing the power unit and the drive motor. These components are crucial for the operation of the welding unit. Through this maintenance and renovation, the tractor not only gets a refreshed appearance but also remains in optimal condition for the heavy tasks in the port.”

Martin – dockworker and crane operator

“My role within Den Argentin is to continue an important mission: the preservation and accessibility of port heritage. We are committed to showcasing the highlights of our collection to visitors and providing guided tours. Additionally, we document disappearing professions, the old port, and the many anecdotes associated with it.

Another important task is recruiting new volunteers, as people drop out every so often. Thanks to my network, which includes many older individuals with niche knowledge, we can verify valuable information and restore the collection accurately. Additionally, I continue to actively promote Den Argentin, inviting groups to discover our open workshop. It is especially motivating for my colleagues and me to share our progress with visitors, who often share the same nostalgia for this heritage.

Unfortunately, a lot of valuable experience and knowledge is lost over time. Fortunately, people know where to find me when old port equipment is at risk of disappearing. For example, three Westerlund forklifts have been saved from the scrap heap here. Many hangars where outdated port equipment was stored have already been demolished due to asbestos or the risk of collapse. Today, the care for port heritage is increasingly left to private initiatives, as governments reduce their involvement. As a result, much valuable heritage disappears before we can save it, simply because it is discarded and destroyed.

That is why we, as dockworkers, are especially grateful that an art foundation like The Phoebus Foundation is so dedicated to restoring and preserving port heritage. Thanks to their efforts, our history continues to live on and can be cherished by future generations for decades to come.”

Harry – first a stevedore, then commercial director at Seaport Terminals

As a volunteer, I am responsible for the administration and archiving of objects within our collection. This means that I document each object with images, titles, and descriptions. So far, we have recorded 1,200 objects, and we continue to expand the collection with additional information: years, the link to the correct nation, and the location where these objects were in the harbour.

In addition to archiving, I give tours to visitors alongside other volunteers. During these tours, I provide a general explanation about the harbour, while my colleagues share their expertise on the objects they are restoring.

When a new object arrives, we begin the registration process. We measure it, note any damage, and start describing and dating it. We also try to determine which nation the object once belonged to. Sometimes, we come across disappeared nations, which requires additional research: where were they located, and during which period were they active?

Our collection is now 95% inventoried. For some objects, such as pirrewits or jute sacks, we have so many variations that we only record a selection of the most interesting specimens.

In addition, I act as an intermediary between our team on-site and the administration of The Phoebus Foundation. They support us with orders, deliveries, advice, guidance, and research, so we can carry out our work here efficiently.

It is remarkable to be part of this project and to make the history of our harbour tangible for the public.”

Den Argentin is open for group visits every Thursday upon request.