From later in the 19th century to the 70s years in the 20th century Maassluis has always been the most important operational base for the steam- and motor seagoing tugs owned by ‘L. Smit & Co’s Internationale Sleepdienst’, subsequently ‘Smit International’. When a steam driven seagoing tug which was still sailing appeared on television back in 1977 it was logical that attempts were made to bring this ship to Maassluis to be able to show how it was years ago on steam driven seagoing tugs.
The ‘Furie’ had been sold to ‘Handels Mij. Heise’ in Zaandam at the end of the television recordings in 1976. There she lay still until the people from Maassluis came to see whether it was perhaps possible to buy the tug and whether she could be restored. When it appeared that this was indeed the case, things began to move quickly. A foundation was set up and membership certificates prepared. A great deal of money was collected in a short time since the series was still being shown on television. The ‘Furie’ could be bought.