Memel

Memel, a Prussian seaport, defended by a citadel and two forts on the sea side, lies at the northern extremity of the Kurisches Haff, at its opening into the Baltic, 70 miles NNE. of Danzig. It has a large harbour, and exports from Lithuania and Russia timber, flax and linseed, coal, manure, grain, and herrings to the annual value of £900,000 to £1,000,000, timber constituting half the value; Great Britain takes one-third of the total. The imports, which generally exceed a million sterling, include the exports in transit, and textiles, colonial produce, and wine and spirits for local use. The town possesses manufactories of brandy, soap and chemicals, saw-mills, iron-foundries, breweries, and shipbuilding-yards. There is a good school of navigation. Pop. (1875) 19,796; (1890) 19,282. Memel was founded in 1252 by the Livonian order, who gave it to the Teutonic Knights, by whom it was fortified in 1404. It suffered severely in the Lithuanian wars (13th to 15th centuries). Here in 1807 Frederick-William III. of Prussia took refuge, and a treaty with England was signed. Having been almost wholly destroyed by fire in 1854, it was rebuilt in modern style. For the river Memel, see NIEMEN.