Flushing

Flushing (Dutch Wissingen), a strong fortress and seaport of the Netherlands, in the province of Zeeland, is situated on the south coast of the island of Walcheren, at the mouth of the Western Scheldt, which it commands. Formerly an important naval station, it was converted into a commercial harbour in 1865-73, and carries on an active trade with Java, England, and South America. A daily service of steamers connects Flushing with Queenborough (Kent) in England; the passage lasting eight hours. There is a royal dockyard here; and, since 1875, a large floating-dock. The inhabitants (12,565 in 1888) are occupied mainly in shipping pursuits. The town capitulated to the Earl of Chatham in 1809.