Cronstadt

Cronstadt, a strongly fortified Russian seaport, 20 miles W. of St Petersburg, on a narrow island 7 miles long, at the mouth of the Neva. Cronstadt is at once the greatest naval station and the most flourishing commercial port of Russia. It was founded by Peter the Great in 1710, after taking the island from the Swedes (1703). Its fortifications command every approach to St Petersburg. They are all built of granite, and armed with the heaviest ordnance. The place, indeed, was considered by Sir Charles Napier, who reconnoitred it during the Russian war of 1854-55, so impregnable that it would have been utter madness to make any attempt upon it. Cronstadt, which is the seat of the Russian Admiralty, has three harbours: the east, intended for vessels of war, and capable of accommodating thirty ships of the line; the middle harbour, where vessels are fitted up and repaired, and which is connected with the former by a broad canal; and the west or Merchant's Harbour, for the merchant-shipping, with capacity for 1000 vessels. Since 1884 St Petersburg is connected with Cronstadt by a ship-canal 200 feet wide and 22 feet deep. Cronstadt contains a cathedral, a statue of Peter the Great, and a British seamen's hospital (1867). In 1891 a 135-ton Krupp gun was put in position. Pop. 42,683.