The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-27
GUARDED COAST OF
FINLAND IS SECOND
BASE OF OPERATIONS
How Cars Sea Forces Are
Prepared for the Protec-
ton of Capital From
German Troops

The holding Of the Gulf of Riga ha,
constituted In Russia's naval plans ths
first line Of defense for the protection
Of Petrograd. The entrance to Rigs
gulf IL a narrow stretch of navixabIs
| water between the Dial Grand shoaI,
ON the south side of Oscelo Island and
the opposite CourIand coast. The width
here II about eight miles and 1t is this
entrance which the German fleet
forced. Michael Bank, off which the
G.erman -Russian fleets engaged, lies
a few miles outside of the entrance to
Riga sulf.
From Dal Grand to the mouth of the
Dvina river is distance of about &C
miles. Riga is located about 10 miles ur
the river. This city can be shelled from
deep water approaches off the mouth OF
the Dvina
There are two entrances into the Gulf OF
Riga. one by Dal Grand and the other
through Moon sound. The latter passage
leads directly into the Gulf of Finland
and in the line OF retreat of the Russian
feet in the event of disaster. The pass
age through Moon sound is tortuous, with
rocks abounding on all sides. and 1t re-
quires the exercise of good navigation to
take a vessel through that stretch. From
the mouth of the Dvina to the entrance
to Moon sound is distance of "a miles.
The distance through Moon sound and
Worms sound beyond Is 40 miles. In this
40-mile stretch the least water Is four
fathoms. which Is not sufficient for heavy
battleships. 1t is possible that the Rus
SLAMS have a military channel for their
warship use. but If SO 1t Is not known
or Indicated on the charts.
How to Retreat
Russian naval maneuvers have contem-
plated that In the event of an enemy fleet
forcing passage into the Gulf of Riga re-
treat is to be effected through Moon
sound This is what the Russian gun
boats, which met the Germans recently.
appear to have DONE There Is second
channel leading into the Gulf Of Finland
from the Riga gulf known as Worms
channel. but the least water at mean low
water is 10 feet. This channel, therefore.
is only open to destroyers, submarines
and gun vessels.
The Russians have always assumed
that in the event of an enemy fleet forc-
ing the Gulf OF Riga II would also close
Moon sound and channel. use ports Of
Baltic and Revel as bases Of supply, do all
the damage possible to Sweaborg and
Bjorke and blockade the Gulf of Finland.
With this idea In mind. the Russians have
developed simple but effective defense
schemes. 1t is stated, having recourse to
the island passages along the Finland
coast as bases Of operation. In past man.
euvers the Russian defense fleet would
break out at different fjords, and pro-
ceeding to Moon sound threaten the COM
munication Of the enemy with his base.
Far From Base
Naval men mention the fact that the
German fleet in attacking the Gulf Of Fin
land Is operating fully $50 miles from
the Kiel base. This force could be cut
off by an allied fleet II 1t were possible
to force an entrance through the Great
Belt. but to do this would be to violate
Danish neutrality. The southern exit from
the Great Belt IL understood to be strewn
with German floating mines.
Britain already has made efforts to re-
inforce the Russian fleet through the
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