Norwich bulletin., 1915-09-28
THE WAR PRIMER
BY National Geographic SOCIETY

"Kronstadt, the island that guards
the imperial city Of Russia, Petro-
grad. is the most strongly fortified
place in the northern empire" begins
a statement on war geography just
given out by the National Geographic
Society. The fortifications on the
Island were begun by Peter the Great
in 1908. after the dispossession OF the
Swedes. They have been added 70
and strengthened by many nrst-Tank
engineers in every reign since then,
until today they form formidable
obstacle to any fleet that rides the
seas. Kronstadt Is the port and out
post OF the Russian capital the seat
OF the Russian Admiralty. and the hrst
naval station Of the Tsar. The port
city is situated on the island CT kot-
lin. though II is generally written OF
under the name OF Its well-known
port city.
The older. three decker forts OF
Kronstadt. fve in number. repulsed
the Anglo-French feet during the
Crimean War. Thse redoubts today.
although mounting modern ordnance,
are largely obsolete. but powerful
forts and sunken batteries have been
installed to keep pace with the devel-
opment of the naval strengths OF
neighboring states. The defensive
works OF the island and adjacent
shores have been carried out on an
extensive plan. much OF IL being done
according to the specifications Of Tod
leben. modified and brought up-to-
date by succeeding engineers Fort
Constantine and four batteries were
constructed by Todleoen to defend the
| principal or southern approach, while
seven batteries were placed TO guard
/ the shallower northern channel The
modern works are low, powerfully
/ armored and reinforced. and mount
ing heavy Krupp guns in turrets-
Earthworks link up the chains OF re-
/ doubts.
The island on which Kronstadt
stands, lying nearly in mid channel at
the head OF the Gulf OF Finland. Is
the front door OF Russia II Is so sit
uated as to make the bombardment OF
the capital impossible before the
passage Of its forts and batteries The
island IS twenty-one miles west OF
Petrograd. and stretches for eight
miles. east and west, IN the midst Of
the pocket-like gulf Its guns are
| within easy range OF the shores to the
north and south. thus enjoying perfect
command OF the channels between
and their effectiveness extends vel
into the country beyond the water. II
Is fortified by parallel lines on the
northwest. southwest and southeast
| The southern line OF defenses Is the
strongest. Altogether. the island
leaves little in the way Of military
| u AltAAkOAdAla anu 1A0A 81
tar.
Formerly most Of the imports intC
Russia by way Of PetrogTad wer'
landed at Kronstadt and thence
taken to the capital by lighters and
by land Canalizat!on however. hai
made II possible for larger freighterl
to reach the Petrograd docks. and
this has somewhat cut down the i'm
portance at the eastern base of th'
Island. well sheltered from hostile at
tack. and Il commands three haroors
The commercial harbor has wharfaS'
and anchorage for 1000 ships. TIT
central harbor is equipped for th'
building and repairing Of merehan
vessels. while the remaining haroor Il
devoted to naval usage II Is equip
, ped with excellent machine shops. Or.
docks. and other factories peculiar 4
the modern navy yard This haroo
, offers a secure anchorage to the Rus
! sian war vessels. behind the islant
. and protected by the weight OF pow
erful Notifications