THE UNDERWATER RADIUS OF THE GERMAN SUBMARINE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 310, 31 December 1914, Page 7

THE UNDERWATER RADIUS OF THE GERMAN SUBMARINE.

* The situation of Cuxhaven, at the extreme outer entrance to the Elbe, gives it complete command of the traffic to all parts lying on the estuary, including the great commercial city of Hamburg, situated some 70 pules up the river. In addition, it, of course, dominates; the entrance to the Kiel Canal.

Cuxhaven may be said to be the most modern creation of the Raiser's own brain. He it is who stood godfather to this particular base, and a mighty engine of warfare it has become under his determined efforts. Although it has no naval dockyard of Imperial ownership, yet the yards ol the Hamburg-Amerika line are here situated, and in war-time are automatically taken over by the Admiralty. The great importance of Cuxhaven, however, is the fact that it is the principal mine station in the North Sea. Here are based all the vessels used in scattering death and devastation in contiguous waters. The place is also responsible for the set, or observation, mines which are placed to close the entrance to the Elbe to all hostile ships of war. The main batteries are situated at Dose, a mile or two west of the harbor. Here is to be found a vast assemblage of artillery of all conceivable uses and patterns, which are so placed that they bring an overwhelming fire to bear on any ship endeavouring to pass up the river. Although the mouth of the Elbe is of considerable width, the actual channel for ships of airy moderate draught is very confined, and passage under such conditions is rendered impossible. At Cuxhaven is also the principal aerial base. Here are to be found the most modern flyers of all descriptions. Perhaps the most striking creation is the type of hangar built for the naval wing of the air service. A vast shed, for instance, some 600 ft. in length and 100 ft in height, is so built that it will accommodate two vast dirigible Zeppelins, whilst science has been called in to provide that this huge structure shall revolve on its own axis, so that it may dock a returning airship no matter from which point of the compass it may come. But this gigantic museum would be easily wrecked by a visiting airship were it discernible from the air, and to prevent this the building is so designed that it absolutely descends into the bowels of the earth, and cannot be discovered from an invader’s airship! The possibilities of Cuxhaven are immense, and its future points to further advance until it reaches a position as a naval base of magnitude. Higher up the river and at the locks forming the entrance to the Kiel Canal is Brunsbuttel.