DUNKIRK HARBOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 158, 5 June 1940, Page 7

DUNKIRK HARBOUR.

FIVE MILES OF QUAYS. Dunkirk’s quays, which have become of such vital importance to the Allies in the withdrawal operations from a dangerous situation in the north, exceed five miles in length. The harbour is approached by a fine, natural roadstead entered on the east and west, and protected on the north bj sand banks. From the roadstead, the entrance is by a channel into the outer harbour, which communicates with seven floating basins about 115 acres in area, and is accessible to the largest vessels. The entrance channel to the port is marked by a lighthouse. As a port Dunkirk is the third in France and shipbuilding is carried on there. The evacuation from Dunkirk lias been earned out in a region that lias seen many great naval triumphs. It was between Calais and Dunkirk that the Spanish Armada was defeated in July, 1588, by the English fleet under Howard, Drake, Hawkins and Frobisher, and narrowly escaped 'being driven ashore on the very beaches from which British troop's have been embarked during the last week. It was in the Straits of Dover that Hubert de Burgh defeated in 1217 Eustace the Monk, who tried to 5 pass troops across the water. “If these people land. England is lost. Let us therefore boldly meet them.” declared de” Burgh. On June 24, 1340, off Zeebrugge, Edward HI gained a great victory, over the French in the Battle of Stays, In the Four Days’ Battle (July 11-14. 1666) between'Monk am! de Ruyter, 80- English and 100 Dutch ships were engaged. The latter lost three admirals. 2000 men(, and foul ships, and the English 5000 killed, 3004) prisoners and 17 ships. Off the North Foreland on August 4, 1666, the'Dutch were completely defeated Jby Monk. 1 In the Battle of Beachv Head, •July 10, 1690, seventy French slims engaged 56 English and Dutch, -the former gaining a victory.