The New York herald., 1869-07-07
GERMANY.


King william nt Oldenburg and Heppens-The
Bay Of Iahde-Grand Naval Depot ana Har-
bor-DiaicuIties Of It's Construc.ion-Vast
Dimensions-The IrOn-clad MiuOtaur-Hep-
pens Baptized ssWilheln's Harbor''-Success
Of His NIajesty's Journey.
NAVAL DEPOT or HEPPENs,)
BAY or IAHDE, June H. 1869.
Yesterday was fXed for the visit to Oldenburg, the
residence OF that stanch friend of Prussia. the
Grand Duke who sent his son, the Duke Elimar,
greater portion OF the way in order to greet his
Majesty and to accompany him. The royal party
having arrived early in the forenoon, was received
at the entrance OF the castle by the Grand Duchess
and her Majesty Amaa, Queen OF Greece. The fes-
tvltles here were exclusively OF military charac-
ter consisting OF a review OF the troops. At this
the ladies' of the court were present in their car
rages and King william rode his renowned mare
Sadowa which had borne him at KOnigsgratz. The
OldenDurg troops ELECTED his entire appreciation,
much than those at Bremen, for there, after
the review on the previous morning, they were at
once ordered out again by General You Mannstein
and taxed for several hours to go over all the drill
and exercises as before A heavy rain storm had
the effect OF shortening the reviews and causing the
royal party to spend the afternoon In the castle en-
Jdiniue. In the evening there was grand tattoo
before the castle amid the cheers OF the crowds as
sembled to see the King. The immense multitude
afterwards proceeded to the castle of the Oldenburg.
Herr Won Rossng, who appeared on the terrace
and addressed the throng below, thanked them for
their kindness aud proposed toast to him who had
materially aided the cause OF the national union the
Grand Duke OF Oldenburg The Count looked some
what faigued probably from the effects OF Bremens
unbounded hospitality, though King William, on the
contrary, looked as usual, hale and hearty.
At ten O'Clock this morning leave taking COM
menced and the royal visitors then proceeded per
express train which conveyed also the suite, In
cuding the Grand Duke, his son. Vice Admiral Jach-
man, the two burgoma sers of Bremen and many
Others, In all some seventy persons arriving at half
past eleven at Heppens. Those VINO wish TO look
up the position on the map should seek out the
isle OF Heligoland (ielgOlandl, directly south OF
which they will find the mouths OF the Weser ana
Iahde and at the western entrance OF the bay OF
Iahde the establishment OF Heppens, with the
GERMANY has long felt the want of marine station
on the North sea, Notwithstanding the smaness OF
Its fleet, but owing to political dssension mas been
pOweress in the matter The project oil naval depot
In the North sea was first carried out by Napoleon L.
at the time of his Continental blockade against Eng
land and strand batteries were erected by nun upon
| the Isle OF wangeroog, at EcKwarden and at Hep
pens on the Iahde, not for defence, but TO exclude
| English commerce. These works nave Deen COM
| pleteIy washed away by the encroachments OF the
sea, with the exception OF those at Heppens where
some traces OF them are still visible The first action
on the part Of Prussia to obtain naval depot on
the North Sea dates fifteen years back, though pre-
yiously in the eventfu year OF lS4S, the national
convention at Frankfort had appointed committee
to report upon a suitable spot. But 1t must be re-
membered that in 1852 the whole PROJECT OF Ger
| man fleet was Knocked on the head by the German
Bund and the vessels in course OF construction sold
under the hammer. In the year 1854 the ground for
such an establishment was obtained by treaty with
the Duchy OF Odenburg, which. In consideration OF
payment OF $500 OOO ceded Ls sovereign right over
| a few acres OF land, which were then purchased
the peassnt VINO were e settlers
| roads as TO connect Heppens Win the OldenDurR
| railroads, which Hanover did all In lis power to
1t may be known that the entire German
coast along the North Sea is most un-
spot SPOT selected at Iahde, atnongh the best,
yet presented enormous dnculties Ac
cordng to Old chronicles OF the year 1858 the Bay OF
| Iahde has been formed by innndations, and is so
swallow that ebb tide many spots in 1t are quite
dry. However, the marrow channel which connects
of all kinds, and the anchOring ground outside
Heppens contains, even at the lowest water marx
not less than five fath0ms. The intentions OF the
Prussian architects were to obtain secure harbor
| and building docks ut the same time, which could
only be enected by excavstng the solid land, and
that distance, IN order 20 guard against the
violence OF the tides, well as against hostile at
tacks. What with the numerous difficulties TO be
encountered namely the erection OF breakwaters,
construction OF dykes and walls, all OF which
| have Deen more than once swept away by the fu.
| rioua element-the achievement as It now stands.
| nearly completed, must be regarded as marvel OF
| perseverance and uncomfortable determination.
imagine piers OF solid granite run out for consider
harbor and opening INTO locks the vastness OF which
may be estimated when we say tnat the thick
ness Of their walls ~ no less than Sixty
SIX feet. After passing these locks we come
| to a snip canal 26O eet VIDE and 1900 feet long
leading INTO the main basin or harb0r 100 feet by
150 feet all OF the most solid description or masonry
finished on IN granite, with all the modern building
= | improvements, and capable OF accommodating tn,
| whole feet OF men-0f-war even II North Germany
, | should IN the course Of years have doubled he
u maritime strength. Attached TO this are numerou
y buildings aud dry docks, all OF the largest dimen
u sions, and constructed IN solid grantee also Bmalc
harbors Tor boats and masts and the numerous ma
| chine houses, steam engines ana, IN snort, every
thing requisite for snpbuildlng on the largest scale
| such evlathans as tue King william, with draugh
OF twenty-six feet or other iron-clads, az the Wal
rlor and Black Prince with draugnt OF twenty -fiv
and a quarter feet each, can IN anu out of thi
- | harbor anu be dO0ked with the utmost ease an
gafety. The works are proceeding with great energy
,e n steam pumps and dredgers at work night au
20 day not ess than 1000 laborers are employed an
is the principal dilc1tythat Of mastering the turbt
IA lent ocean, with ts dangerous spring tldes-ma
=, now be considered at an end. II Is calculated thi
si by next fall the waters may be allowed TO now Int
81 the works, though some years will prC
a. | badly elapse before the vast undertaken
~ | Is finally completed The temporary breastwork
so | the strongest ro1 and timber erected as a prote
az ton for the outer piers, has but recently been
an molIshed az completely az II so much pasteboar
W and to overcome this serious dificulty has cause
much time and still more money.
49, For this long expected advent OF King william
uns the works had been gayly decorated with flags al
3c triumpha arches erected at different spots Tnoul
nre Heppens itself looks yet somewhat California
gh mining town on paper, still government contracto
nts ana the marine department have put themselves
en many thousand dollars OF expense TO make the
cepton and decoration ~ complete as possib
sss England had done honor TO the occasion bv send