The New York herald., 1870-08-13
THE vn -NCH FLEET IN The BiLTlC.
Sketches Of Stralsund and Kiel, tho Towns
Expected Co be- Attacked.

Sketches OF Stralsupd and Kiel, tho Towns
Expected Go be- Attacked.
The indications that the French neet will
shortly attack Strasund aud Kel, but which Of
those places ls uncertain II the first, then OBJ
jective point Is Berlin; II the last place named
Is assailed, Hamburg Is the city aimed at.
sTRALsUND
Is a strongly fortified city OF $1,000 Inhabitants
situated on the strait Of Geen, by which it Is sepa-
rated from island OF Ruge IL is l2) miles north
by west or Berlin. and is entirely surrounded by
water, the only approach to II from the mainland
belng by bridges OF which there are three. The
port is not large and is enculbered with shadows.
Nevertheless l. fey harDor three hundred YES.
sels which is about the number annually arriving
anu departing The city, besides its import ana cx-
port trade. does ourishing business in ship build
ing, sugar refining, &C.. and Is considered one Of
tue wealthiest places III Prussia.
The history OF Stralsund has heen varied and in
teresting. Founded In 1890 by Prince Jaromlr, OF
Rugen, II was peopled by saxons and was growing
rapidly when 1t was destroyed by the Lubeckers In
l24l Subsequently rebuilt it united to the
Hanseatc League and for years after IL was prize
always contested for by the princes OF Rugcn, the
Danes Sweies, Holandcrs, Lunenburgers and Meek
lenburgers. During the thirty years war stral-
sund had the honor OF giving the first check
to the arms of Wailensteln. That great COM
mander had sworn that he would take Stralsund
and destroy it, even though IL were fastened by
chains to heas en- hut Impios boast was ueyer
fulfilled. Alter o long siege, during which nc lost
llvOV men, nc was compelled 10 retire. BY the treaty
oil we atphalla tne pace was ceded TO the Swedes,
who ke IL i ld7s, when the great Eectur Of Bran.
denburg took IT after terrible bombardnent, which
| destroyed 1900 houses. He dd not Iodg retain IT,
however, and In l7l6 1t was again beseged
by Dyyo tas Sale aIled c%asa ore.s q Dsnmark Prussia
tine town iOr some time. b At he finally compelled
10 retlre and 10 s0)n after surrendered The French
took t In 1897. Two years later the heroic SC iIIie
took up arms with the hope or deliver NJ Germany
from the French and was shot wniie leading a
sortle IN the Fahisrasse. His headless body lies
head itself being in Brunswick preserved IN
spirits. In 1915 Straisund was ceded 10 PI,ls-
STA. The lorii1catiohs, which are very sron2, and
upon winch large sums OF money nave been
pended. consist OF series VI 1Orts looking sc ward
aud sweeping the narrow strait Earihworks con-
meet tie &c. and III the rear The town covering The
bridge referred to are also extensive works. AL
though very strolg, Stral und Is not impregn bic
nor .culd It, from It's situation, be rendered So Ii
can, however oher q stout resistance. and, II at
tackled, will undoubtedly give the French warm
reception
KEEL
is situated at the extremity O. bay of the Baltic in
what was formerly known as the Duchy of aostein
The harbOr ls exceedingly fine, having the appear.
ance OF q mKe. klcl Is hity.hree miles north-north
east OF hamburg. with which CITY 1t Is connected by
ra lr0au, anu contains u pUpul alton Of about
1i,0Oo. Untl 1855 the for, iiicttOns were not
very formidable. Kiel had previously been under
tue sovereignty OF the KING OF Denmark but In 1861
the Duciy OF Holstein was occupied by the Prus.
slams and Austrans, and IN lse5 Prussia annexed It,
sn;e tlen 1t has been greatly strengthened but 1t
Is not equal TO Straisuud. Comm ,rciliy II Is very
important city. and strategcaliy Il wOud prove OF
immense value to the French by enab ing them to
move on the flank and rear OF Hanbu e. Tho
the harbor Is tho outpost OF The de.ences, ana Is
tOerably strong