West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-10-14
K.el. the Kaiser's Naval Base

k.el, the kaiser's Naval Base
Built up around the deep pocket OF
the Keller Foehrde. a narrow arm of
the Baltic Sea that cuts its way back
into the province OF Holstein, the old
city OF Keil lies well-shielded from all
hostile attack and centrally placed
for the use OF the feet. either upon the
open sea or upon the inland sea,
begins bulletin just prepared by the
National Geographic Society This
ancient port city is headquarters for
German sea strength. the first naval
station of the empire. the point from
which the orders have been issued di-
recting the unequal duel between the
ships OF the Kaiser and the fleets of
Britain.
The great war-harbor OF Keil is one
OF the finest and most powerfully pro
tected harbors in the woi Id. The sea-
arm. whose base is enclosed by the
port. has a narrow entrance and a
long. irregular surface. The entrance
and the strategic points along the
bank are heavily fortified Fort Fall
kenstein and Fort Stosch guard the
narrows about 3h miles above the
town. Flanking the northern termina-
tion of the new Kiel suburbs. the Kai-
ser Wilhelm Canal, triumph OF pa
tience and engineering, cuts its way
into the sheltered bay BY means of
this canal, Kiel is in close communica-
ton with the North Sea, and units OF
the Kaiser's navy can be transferred
rapidly and safely from the war thea
tire of the open ocean to that of the
Baltic.
"The Kaiser William Canal is the
product of an idea which ripened
through centuries. Projects for con-
Meeting the Baltic and North Seas by
water route through the northern
peninsula which should avoid the dan
gerous voyage around Jutland where
considered spasmodically from 1900
on, but IL remained to the military ne
cessities of a great empire to bring
about the realization OF this advan-
tageous waterway for trade. ANY
number of bashful beginnings of the
projected way were made before the
const. uction of the present canal was
undertaken by the first German En-
peror. Kaiser William | laid the
foundation stone of the canal i'm 1887.
and the costly avenue was formally
declared open by the present Emperor
in 1895. The original canal has been
extensively improved
The canal crosses the peninsula
from Holtenau just beyond the north
ern suburbs OF Keil TO Brunsbuttel at
the mouth OF the Elbe, at sea level.
the locks of either end merely sery-
ing to neutralize the tides. 1t is 60
miles long, with a depth OF more than
30 feet and width sufficient to pass
the largest men-of-war. A steamer
takes between and 8 hours to pass
through a canal, thus bringing the
advance German navil basis at He'll
goland within easy reach of the Keil
headquarters. The whole way at
night is lighted by electricity. The
first cost of the Baltic ship canal was
$39 100000. Other millions have been
expended in its improvement. Regu-
lar steamer excursion service was
before the war. but the
voyage offered little of interest be-
sides steep banks and here and there
spiritless scenery.
Great imperial docks, arsenals and
navy yards are located at Keu. as
are also Admiralty headquarters and
the Imperial Navy Academy. For
eigners were not admitted to the
docks and yards. Many thousands OF
visitors regularly attended Keller
Woche (Keil Week.. the great Ger
man regatta held each year during
the latter part OF June This regatta
was an event of first Importance I'm
the world international sport, and
yachts from all nations interested I'm
water sports were annually entered
in its famous races. The yacht Ho-
henzollen, housing the Emperor and
the Imperial family, builded each year
the central point of the gay, rich, cos
mopoiitan throng of sportsmen.
"Keil is one of the Oldest towns i'm
Holstein. The older parts of the town
are badly built. having twisting. mar
row. indifferently paved streets and
being fanked by gnarled, time-tor
tured buildings. The new town. how
ever, is filed with handsome struet-
ures' and is well-paved The city has
grown in every way, industrlalIy. com
mercially. socially, artistically. since
becoming naval headquarters for the
Empire and of the greatest sport event
upon the German sport calendar"
--st--
Liquor TO Blame