The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-05-15
Germany's New Waterway to the Sea.

After the new German empire had
been firmly established, Bismarck's
prophetic eye saw the need of speedy
and unimpeded egress from the Baltic
ports to the high seas for the argosies
of commerce as we'll as ships of war.
The empires principal shipyards and
naval stations are on the Baltic coast,
while its chief commercial ports are on
the North Sea. In times of peace,
the voyage around the peninsula of
Denmark and through the narrow
channels between the Danish and the
Scandinavian coasts was great OBJ
struction to free commercial move
ments; in times of war, Germany was
practically an inland nation, for her
vessels were easily corked up within
the confines of the Baltic. 1t was clear
that canal across the base of the Dan.
ish peninsula would be great advan-
tage to Germany and the world at
large in commercial movements, and to
Germany in particular in time of war
in the means it would afford for the
operations of her navy. So, eight
years ago, the construction of canal
from Kiel on the Baltic to the mouth
of the river Elbe was begun. 1t was
to be wide enough and deep enough to
float the largest ships, and without
locks except at each extremity. These
were to be for defensive purposes. 1t
was to be sea-level waterway. This
work has been completed and Ger
many has sent out her invitations to
the nations of the earth to join with
her in celebrating the opening of the
canal next month.
The connecting of the Baltic and the
North Sea is not new event. Toward
the close of the fourteenth century, a
waterway was completed between Lu-
beck on the Baltic and the river Elbe,
which served useful purpose to the
traders of those ancient days and which
is still used by small craft. Through
it's winding course for centuries flowed
the commerce of the Hanseatic League
In the last quarter of the eighteenth
century, or about one hundred ten years
ago, canal was completed from Kie
bay on the Baltic to a town on the
North Sea. 1t was los miles in length
a tortuous affair, following the course
of the river Elder, from which it de.
rived its name, and was obstructed by
several locks. 1t was adapted to vessels
Of the smaller class, but was used yearly
by several thousand craft which pre-
ferred to pay its tolls and endure it,
delays rather than encounter the dan
gers of the Categat and Skager Rack
The new canal follows the line of it,
predecessor for some distance from
Kiel bay, strengthening out its twists
and then takes its course through
level country to town near the en-
trance of the Elbe into the open sea
about midway between the westerl,
terminus of the Elder on the North Sc,
and the pioneer of four centuries ago
at Cuxhaven on the river. Its length
is about seventy miles. A speed of 81,
miles an hour is permitted, and at sever
places the canal is widened so tina
vessels of 10000 tons may pass eac
other. The cost of the work is som
J thirty-eight and one half million dollars
! The naval demonstrations at Kit
: next month will be on magniflcen
! scale. European powers will displa
= their fighting strength on the water
= and the United States will be repre-
; sented by four of her best, but not he
largest, war vessels. A grand procel