RUSSIA'S STRATEGIC CANAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3648, 26 January 1899, Page 3

RUSSIA'S STRATEGIC CANAL.

A GREAT WATERWAY TO CONNECT THE BLACK AND BALTIC SEAS.

The expenditures for naval work in many countries is far greater than ever before, and the effect of this is shown not only in the laying down of new ships and the building of ordnance, but also in (ho creation of naval stations at homo and naval bases of supply and repair abroad, and the field of activity has even been enlarged so as jo admit of the construction of extensive engineering works in the shape of canals for the purpose of rapid concentration of fleets of war vessels, says the “Scientific A.merican.” The most extensive work in this direction is that to he conducted in Russia for connecting the .waters of tho Baltic and Black Seas. The canal will have a length of over 1000 miles, and the primary object is for strategic purposes, but at the same time it will be of great commercial importance. Beginning at the Riga, the canal follows the course of the River Buna as far as Dnnabcrg, and from there an excavation is to carry it from Lepel to the Bercsina, along this water-course to the Dnciper, and then down this river to the Baltic Sea—over a total length of 1080 miles. By using tho rivers the artificial construction has been reduced to some 125 miles. At tho ends of this canal are the cities of Riga on the north amd Chorson on the south. The latter, is to become a groat naval*’arsenal. ' Active operations along the route were to be begun (luring the last week of June, and it is expected the canal will be completed and open to traffic in four years, at fin expense of 97,000,000. The canal is to have a depth throughout its whole ex-tent sufficient to take the, largest battleships, and the construction will be of such a character that-a -speed of six knots an hour can bo obtained without eroding the hank by the wash of the steamers. It is estimated that a vessel can pass through the canal in less than a week, and this tirno may, be even decreased, as a much higher speed can- bo maintained in that part-of tho canal which follows the,natural water-courses. Along its entire length tb3 canal will be lighted by electric lamps, so as to permit of travel by day or night. j Strategically tins canal will be of the greatest importance to Russia, as it will enable the combined Black Sea fleet, which now has no Outlet, as, it is forbidden to pass through, the Dardanelles, to be united with the fleets of the Baltic Sea without passing through foreign territory, Russia has now ten armored and nine unarmored ships in her -Black Sea fleet, which in war time could reinforce the ships in the Baltic Sea, so that in less than seven days her entire fleet could bo concentrated in either sea. without being exposed at any time to the war ships of the enernr.