Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-08-26
BLoCKADED GERMAN PORTS.
Principal Cities, HarbOrs and FOrtressea
the German Coasts

Wilhelmshaven is an extensive fOriiicG-
ton on the Jahde basin, and was selected
by the Prusslan government, in 1854, for
the purpose of establishing there a naval
station on the grandest scale. In spite of
every difficulty the works have been ever
since pushed on vigorously, SO that it is
now very near completion. The basins
are large and capable of floating n feet of
the largest iron-ciads. The Notifications
are extensive, and The barracks already
built and building will comfortably accom-
modatO a respectable army. Two Of the
greatest drawbacks of this establishment
are the want Of good water, and the cir.
cumstance that the ebb tide falls fully
twelve feet, thus preventing the largest
size of men-of-war from entering the har-
Dor at all except at high tide. The channel
is also difficult, but that, In time of war,
and as an additional means of defense, is
rather desirable than otherwise.
BREMEN AND RREMERnAvEN.
| Bremen, situate at the mouth of the
river Weser, is very old town, and one
of the richest along the entire German
coast. The city wears old-fashioned
look, the streets are narrow and crooked.
and the houses queer and antique looking,
but wishal making rather a cheerful i'm
preston. The former very strong fortifi
cations have been abandoned and turned
into a delightful park and promenade.
The city has been rapidly growing during
the last twenty i've years, since the devel-
Opment OF its extensive trade with the
United States. The samo is truo of Bre-
merhaven, tho seaport of Bremen, and
some twenty miles further down the river
towards the North Sea. Bremon and Bre-
merhavcD are connected also by rail, and
all the principal shipping business is trans
! acted at Bremerhaven. No largo vessel8
or steamers ascend tho Wescr beyond
Bromerhaven. Opposite to the latter place
is Fort Wilhelm, a small bat strong fOrtifi-
cation. The coast defanses otherwise arc
said to be complete. Bremen has now
100000 Inhabitants, and Bremerhaven
| about 10000.
HAMBURG AND CUXHAvEN.
| uamberg is, by far, the largest and
richest city along the entire German coast.
Her vessels for many centuries have ira
versed all the ocean, and her merchants
count among the richest Of Europe. This
! city is situated at the mouth of tho river
Elbe, and has now 100000 inhabitants.-
The fOrtifcations in the Immediate neigh
! bOrhOOd OF tho town amount to little or
nothing, and it has to be defended further
down towards the coast by earthworks,
coast batteries, and 30 forth, which have
been amply supplied. Cuxhaven bears
! towards Hamburg about tho same relation
|
small place, only with about ], 500 inhabi-
tants, but it has good harbor, extensive
! dry docks, and an active and enterprising
scattering population.
CITY AND HARBoR OF KEEL.
This most important town of IS, coo in
! habitants, with its still more important
large and safe harbor, is situated on bay
Of tho Daitic. 1t is the chief port of the
| province Of Schleswig, lately acquired by
Prussia, and this power is now rapidly
turning this important prize into first
class naval station. The town itself has
always been rich, and largely engaged in
trades and manufactures of every descrip-
ton.
LUBECK,
A town of 45, 900 Inhabitants, is one of
tho Oldest, and used to be one of the
wealthiest of North Germany. Formerly
the Notifications wore very strong, but
they are SO no longer, and they have for
many years been only devoted to mercan-
} tile and industrial pursuits.
sTRALsUND,
u With 25. 900 inhabitants, is also an old
town, and of great historical renown fol
Wallenstein, who tried very hard to cap
ture it. The city is entirely surrounded
by swamps and an arm of the sea, and &C
cesslble only by means of bridges. It was
formerly and is now very strong place.
but fortified more by nature than by art,
and has good harboY, of considerable
strategical Importance.