A.
GENERAL VIEWS OF STORM FLOOD GATE, VARIOUS ANGLES, FRONT AND BACK, SUSPENDED STEEL CABLES


B.
MINISTER WITTE ARRIVING ON BRIDGE AND TALKING TO MINISTER ALGERA.



CROWD.



MINISTER WITTE PRESSES BUTTON. CLOSE UPS OF MECHANISMS LOWERING GATE, CABLES ETC.,


C.
VARIOUS ANGLES OF GATE BEING LOWERED.


D.
GATE LOWERED AND PAN SHOT SHOWING CONSTRUCTION FOR ANOTHER STORM GATE.




Initials D.C/CW A.W./P.B.



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Dutch acting-Minister of Traffic and Waterways, Herr Witte, pressed a button, October 22, lowered a 620-ton floodgate on the Hollandse Yssel river, near Rottderdam, and put at rest the minds of ten million of his countrymen.

The floodgate is the sequel to one of Holland's worst disasters in memory- flooding in February, 1953 when spring tides and heavy gales smashed the dikes. Flood waters rushed into the country. About 1,500 Dutchmen lost their lives.

The Government said it must not happen again.

Their answer: The 80-meter long floodgate on film. Suspended between twolifting towers, it can be quickly lowered in heavy weather.

Engineers from many countries, including Japan, United States and Russia, were on the spot to inspect the complex mechanism which operates the gate.

Just to make sure, the Government is building a second gate - just in case the first one fails. After the 1953 disaster they are taking no chances.