Heligoland

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 3, 21 June 1890, Page 4

Heligoland

Heligoland, which we learn by ■cable has been ceded by Great Britain •to Germany, is a small island in the INorth Sea. situated opposite to, und about 25 miles from the mouths of the JSlbe, the Eider, the Weser and the Jahde. It was captured from Den- I mark, iv 1807, and in 1814 was formally ceded to Eugland. It consists of an upper aud lower quarter, the former called " The Oberland," aud the latter -"Sandy lalaud," and although the whule area is not more , than three-fourths of a square mile, tbe population in 1881 was over 2000. The surging of the sea, is constantly •diminishing its area, and it is probable that before many generations Are past it will be reduced to a mere sandbank. It has always been considered a most important strategic position, commauding as it does the •entrance to the Baltic aud the mouths •of tbe great Gorman rivers, aud it may be assumed that the African con•cessions made by Germany must be Very substantial to recompense England for its loss. The population •subsist principally upon the lobster and haddock fisheries and the harvest they reap from the annual influx if visitors : iom Germau} 7 , who flock to the island for its splendid climate aud «xcelleut sea bathing. The vital statistics of Heligoland are marvellous, the average life of the inhabitants being stated to be over 63 years. There is a coastguard station and rocket station attached to the island, and four batteries manned by a garrison of British soldiers are mounted on the cliff. The internal affairs of the residents are managed by a council of tbe islauders.