Elbe

Elbe (the Roman Albis and the Bohemian Labe), an important river of northern Europe. It originates in the confluence of numerous streams which rise on the southern side of the Riesengebirge or Giants' Mountains, a range on the northern border of Bohemia, and unite near 50° 46' N. lat., 15° 32' E. long., at an elevation of 2230 feet above sea-level. Its total length, including windings, is estimated at 725 miles; it is navigable for 525 miles, as far as Melnik, but for sea-vessels only up to Hamburg (84 miles); and it drains an area of over 55,000 sq. m., of which two-thirds is German territory. Of its fifty and more tributaries the most important are the Moldau, Eger, Mulde, Saale, and Havel (with the Spree); and in connection with these is a fine system of canals. From the base of the Schneekoppe, the Elbe flows south to Pardubitz, whence it proceeds west to Brandeis, and afterwards in a general north-west direction past Melnik, Leitmeritz, and Herrnskretschen, where it quits the Bohemian territory and enters Saxony. At this point it is 142 yards wide. It then meanders, in a generally north-westerly course, through Saxony, Anhalt, and Hanover, passing Pirna, Dresden, Meissen, Torgau, Wittenberg, Magdeburg, Harburg, and Hamburg, until it empties itself into the North Sea at Cuxhaven, where it attains a breadth of upwards of 10 miles. The estuary is defended by five forts. At this point the tide rises about 10 feet; it is perceptible over 100 miles up the river. The Elbe is divided into several branches between Hamburg on the north, and Harburg on the south, by the numerous islands that there interrupt its course; and between Hamburg and the sea the sandbanks and shoals leave only a very narrow channel, of four to five fathoms' depth, and carefully marked. The scenery of the valley of the Elbe, although generally pleasing, is not remarkable, except in the Saxon Switzerland, above Dresden, where the river's course is generally between fantastic sandstone cliffs. Its waters are stocked with abundance of highly esteemed fish. Steamboats ply from Dresden up the river to Leitmeritz, and down as far as Riesa, as well as from Magdeburg to the sea. The navigation of the Elbe was formerly impeded by all manner of imposts and monopolies, but in 1870 all then existing tolls were abolished.