HELIGOLAND.
Heligoland is the most remarkable of Germany’s naval strongholds. This island, it will be remembered, was ceded to Germany by us in 1890. At that date the sea had made such inroads on the soft cliffs that the complete disappearance of Heligoland at no very distant date was freely predicted.
With characteristic thoroughness the Germans took measures to preserve their new acquisition. Immensely strong breakwaters and sea-walls were built all round the coast, but violent gales demolished much of the work, which had to be replaced at great expense, and it is only in recent years that the ravages of the sea have been completely checked.
Simultaneously with this work a good deal of land reclamation went on, with the result that the area of the island has been greatly increased.
A large harbour for torpedo-boats and submarines has been enclosed by two long moles. Inside there is a miniature dockyard, with repair shops, magazines, stores, &c. Outside this harbour there is a safe anchorage for warships of great size. It is estimated that from beginning to end the naval works at Heligoland have cost Germany something like £10,000,000 sterling.
Fortifications of remarkable strength have been erected. These consist chiefly of heavy guns, mounted in steel turrets, well concealed from the view of an enemy at sea, and so placed that every approach to the island is swept by their fire. As these guns are mounted on the plateau they have a high command, and attacking ships would have to encounter a plunging fire.
Numerous bomb-proof control stations and magazines have been excavated. It is understood that, given an ample supply of ammunition and provisions, Heligoland is in a position to resist attack by the strongest naval force for an indefinite period.
There is a powerful wireless station, a naval flying depot, and a large naval hospital. The garrison consists in the main of four companies of seamen gunners. The commandant is Rear-Admiral Jacobson.
The high strategical importance of Heligoland is self-evident. Its position, some thirty-five miles from the mainland, is that of a strong outpost, defending the estuaries of the Elbe and Weser. A flotilla of destroyers or submarines based on the island could make things very uncomfortable for a fleet endeavouring to blockade the German coast, and it was the recognition of this fact which led to the construction of the new torpedo harbour.
Thanks to the wireless station, communication can always be maintained with the mainland, and also by means of aircraft.
In common with most military nations, Germany appears to place undue reliance on fixed defences as an element of sea power, but it is obvious, from the vast sums of money she has spent on its development, that Heligoland plays a leading part in the German plan of naval strategy.