THE KIEL CANAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 7

THE KIEL CANAL

TO BE ENLARGED DOUBLED DEPTH AND WIDTH PLANS APPROVED (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. BERLIN, Feb. 15. Plans have been approved for the enlargement of the Kiel Cana], approximately doubling its depth and width. Connecting Germany’s magnificent Kiel harbour, headquarters of the German lieet and an important air base, with the North Sea by the safest, most convenient. and shortest available route, the Kiel Canal‘L, apart from its commercial value, of the greatest strategic importance. The value from the military point oi view placed by Germany on the canal and Kiel harbour was indicated by the strong fortifications erected along the North Sea littoral and the Schleswig frontier before the Great War. Under the Versailles Treaty most of the defences were dismantled, but one of the first acts of the Nazi regime was to restore them. A beginning was macle with Heligoland, which is again heavily fortified, and further powerful defences have been constructed at Borkum, Nordeney, and. Wangeroog. The chain of outer i fortifications was apparently com- - pletecl by the fortification of the island of Sylt and the building there] of large underground hangars belicv-, ed to be occupied by a branch of the German naval air wing, the headquarters of which are in Kiel harbour. The sluices at the Kiel harbour ami North Sea entrances to the canal arc 1082 feet long, 147 feet wide, and 46 | feet high. The canal is 53.3 nautical miles long and 37.07 feet deep. Vessels arc admitted on it which do not exceed the following dimensions. Depth 29.7 ft., width 131.2 ft., length 1033.5 ft., height of masts above the water line 131.2 ft. Steam and motor propelled vessels pass up the canal under their own power. The highest speed permitted is 8.1 knots, the lowArticles 380-386 of the Treaty of

Versailles laid clown certain regulations respecting the Kiel Canal. Ail merchant and war vessels of nations at peace with Germany have permaent free use of the canal, without special permission, and on an equal footing, but as foreign ships of war pass through Gorman territorial waters in approaching or leaving the canal they are expected to obtain permission through diplomatic channels. It is estimated that the widening of the Kiel Canal will cost £40,000,000 and will occupy several years. The canal is at present negotiable by 35,000-ton vessels and there is speculation as to whether the decision means that Herr Hitler eventually contemplates 45,000-ton vessel.