ZEEBRUGGE.

At Zeebrugge-Plage (Beach), near the Pilots' House,turn to the left alongside the railway, tothe mole which bounds the Port of Zeebrugge on the west(photo below, and sketch-map on page77).

The port is situated about ten kilometers from Bruges, with which it is connected by a ship canal running straight across the littoral plain.

This canal, which is about 230 feet wide and 26 feet deep, is accessible to large ships. It cost forty-two million francs to construct. Communication with the roadstead is obtained by means of an inner-harbour which is provided with locks and sluice-gates.

Entrance to the Mole at Zeebrugge(See sketch, p.77.)At the entrance to mole: 6in. guns on concrete platforms. To the right, at the end of the Mole: German Destroyer sunk by the British during the blockading operations (photo, p.78.)

Entrance to the Mole at Zeebrugge(See sketch, p.77.)

At the entrance to mole: 6in. guns on concrete platforms. To the right, at the end of the Mole: German Destroyer sunk by the British during the blockading operations (photo, p.78.)

The port is protected by a semi-circular jetty or mole which stretchesout into the sea for a distance of about two kilometres; an elevated side-walk leads to the end of the jetty. The latter, built of blocks of concrete each weighing three thousand tons, is divided into four parts: the first, which spans the beach, is solid; the second is of open-work, to prevent the port becoming choked with sand; the third comprises the wharves proper, and forms the terminus of a special railway siding; it is solid and has an elevated walk running along the left hand side; the fourth, or Lighthouse Jetty, is also solid and acts as a break-water. This immense undertaking, begun in 1893, was completed ten years later, and the new port, on which great hopes were set, was solemnly opened, amid popular rejoicings, by King Leopold.

The Wharves on the mole beyond the open-work portion of the latterThe Lighthouse Pier seen in the photographs on page81.The Mole of Zeebrugge.An assemblage of aeroplane photographs taken in 1917.On the left, a number of seaplanes are visible. German warships moored alongside the quay.THE BLOCKING OF THE PORT OF ZEEBRUGGE.April 22, 1918.

The Wharves on the mole beyond the open-work portion of the latter

The Lighthouse Pier seen in the photographs on page81.

The Mole of Zeebrugge.

An assemblage of aeroplane photographs taken in 1917.

On the left, a number of seaplanes are visible. German warships moored alongside the quay.

THE BLOCKING OF THE PORT OF ZEEBRUGGE.

April 22, 1918.

Vice-admiral Keyes.

In October 1914, the Germans made a "pirates nest" of the port, which was consequently attacked unceasingly by British ships and Allied aeroplanes. The most important of these attacks was that which resulted in the blocking of the port.

Motor-cars may go along the mole as far as the end of the wharves. See text and photographs on pages80and81.

In spite of the enemy's formidable defences around Zeebrugge, the British determined to block that port, at the same time as Ostend(See page68).

The operations, carefully planned in all details, were extremely perilous on account of the minefields, the nature of the landing-places (unmarked by any lights), and the difficulty of finding one's bearings near a coast where the dunes of varying heights are indistinguishable one from another. The enterprise was entrusted to Vice-Admiral Keyes, Commander of the Naval Forces at Dover. The attacking flotilla was composed as follows:

Three old cruisers theIphigenia(Lieut. Billyard-Leake), theIntrepid(Lieut. Stuart Bonham-Carter) and theThetis(Captain Sneyd), which, loaded with concrete, were to be sunk in the channel.

The protected cruiserVindictive(Capt. Carpenter), was armed for an attack on the mole;sailors and marines were to land, destroy the guns, drive back the Germans, and create a diversion, thus enabling the blockading ships to carry out their mission.

The Attack on Zeebrugge.The "Vindictive" alongside the mole, on which the Marines disembarked.The "Daffodil" holding the "Vindictive".The "Iris" alongside the mole.The "Thetis" sunk in front of the Channel.The "Intrepid" and "Iphigenia" sunk in the Channel.Submarine blown up alongside the open-work pier.6in. guns at entrance to mole (photo, p.75.)Church and cemetery in which several of the British killed during the operations were buried (photo, p.80.)

The Attack on Zeebrugge.

Two ferry-boats: theIrisandDaffodil, armed for landing operations; two submarines, loaded with explosives, to attack the mole; destroyers to defend the flotilla against enemy attacks; launches and motor-scouts to pick up the crews of destroyed or sunken vessels, and smoke boats.

Vice-Admiral Keyes was on board theWarwick. All the men were picked volunteers of tried courage and energy.

The attack, several times postponed owing to the unfavourable weather, was carried out on April 22, 1918. The flotilla put to sea during the day. When about twelve miles off Zeebrugge, the boats parted company, each taking up its assigned position. TheVindictive,IrisandDaffodiladvanced behind a smoke screen to within a few cable-lengths of the mole, when a change of wind dispersed the smoke, leaving them fully exposed to view. Enemy sirens immediately gave the alarm. Searchlights, rockets and star-shells lit up the scene, and the air was immediately filled with the roar of artillery and the crackling of machine-guns.

Amid bursting shells, and swept by machine-gun fire, theVindictivesucceeded in anchoring alongside the mole, but her deep draught and the surf prevented her remaining in position, until held by theDaffodil. Most of the eighteen gangways were smashed by the cruiser's rolling. TheIriswas also in difficulties, her grappling irons being too small to catch hold. Two officers, Capt. Bradford and Lieut. Hawkins, climbed up the side of the mole and endeavoured to fasten the grappling irons. Both were killed. A landing was nevertheless effected, and in spite of heavy losses and the death of Colonel Elliot and Captain H. C. Halahan, the sailors and marines advanced along the mole, under very heavy fire, and for an hour destroyed the enemy's organisations, magazines, sheds, machine-gun posts, etc.

Zeebrugge. One of the German destroyers sunk by the British.(See photo, p.75.)

Zeebrugge. The "Intrepid" and "Iphigenia", sunk in the Channel.Beyond, in the harbour:the "Thetis"(See sketch, p.77.)

Meanwhile, the blockading cruisers had entered the port and were steeringfor the channel, despite the violence of the bombardment. TheThetiswas leading, but her propeller becoming entangled in a net, she was unable to advance further, and her crew blew her up on a sandbank in front of the channel. TheIntrepid, followed by theIphigenia, reached the channel, placed themselves across it and were then blown up. The crews were picked up by the motor-boats.

The funnels of the "Vindictive", on her return from Zeebrugge.After being summarily repaired, the "Vindictive" accomplished her last exploit, by bottling up Ostend Harbour on May 11, 1918. (See page68.)

The funnels of the "Vindictive", on her return from Zeebrugge.

After being summarily repaired, the "Vindictive" accomplished her last exploit, by bottling up Ostend Harbour on May 11, 1918. (See page68.)

Just at the time when these operations were being completed, Lieutenant Sandford's submarine succeeded, despite the terrific artillery fire, in reaching the open-work part of the mole, where she was blown up, shooting flames to a height of nearly 5,000 feet, and making a breach over 60 feet wide in the jetty. A motor-boat picked up her crew.

A German torpedo-boat and theBrusselswere sunk by motor-launches.(The "Brussels" was captured by the Germans on June 24, 1916. Her commander, Captain Fryatt, was shot on July 27, for having rammed the German submarine U-33).

The open-work portion of the Mole destroyed by the British submarine, (Lieut. Sandford). Inset: temporary bridge built by the Germans and destroyed by them before their retreat.

TheVindictive'ssiren recalled the landing-party, who succeeded in bringing back most of their killed and wounded. The flotilla then weighed anchor and returned to Dover.

The operation had succeeded as well as could be expected. The two cruisers, although displaced slightly later by the Germans, blocked the channel, making it impossible for ships of other than light draught to go through. TheThetisalso helped to obstruct the entrance to the channel.

British Graves in Zeebrugge Cemetery.The cross bears the following inscription (in German): "Three English officers, seven English marines, two English sailors, two English stokers".

British Graves in Zeebrugge Cemetery.

The cross bears the following inscription (in German): "Three English officers, seven English marines, two English sailors, two English stokers".

The end of the Wharves and the Lighthouse Pier.The upper view is looking from the lighthouse; the lower view takes in the whole of the roadstead. See photos, pp.76and77.

The end of the Wharves and the Lighthouse Pier.

The upper view is looking from the lighthouse; the lower view takes in the whole of the roadstead. See photos, pp.76and77.

A nest of submarines with their shelters of reinforced concrete.These were the only shelters, built by the Germans at Zeebrugge, which they failed to destroy before retreating.

A nest of submarines with their shelters of reinforced concrete.

These were the only shelters, built by the Germans at Zeebrugge, which they failed to destroy before retreating.

Cars can go to the end of the wharves on the mole.Right and left of the entrance to the jetty are two 6in. guns on concrete platforms(photo, p.75). Next comes the open-work part, repaired by a temporary bridge built in the first instance by the Germans to replace that part of the jetty destroyed by Lieut. Sandford's submarine, and later rebuilt by the Belgians, after the Germans had destroyed it previous to retreating(photos, p.90). The tourist now arrives at the mole, on the right side of which are the wharves with their sidings, sheds and cranes which were damaged either by air-raids and the British attack, or by the Germans previous to their retreat. On the left are concrete shelters which were used by the gunners for storing shells, etc. During the German occupation, the enemy's torpedo-boats and submarines weremoored alongside the wharves. Along the elevated side-walk are a battery of four 3½in. guns and a number of 6in., 4in., 3in. and 1½in. guns. The entrance to the channel, with the sunken cruisers and the "Thetis" stranded in front of them, can clearly be seen from the side-walk.

The four guns of the "Friedriechsart" Battery.

Return to the road and before crossing the canal take the road on the left which leads close to where the "Intrepid" and "Iphigenia" still lie.The work of clearing the entrance to the canal has begun.

Cross theBruges Canalby the locks, and proceed toZeebrugge(2 kms.), an important town which grew up around the port. On the left, in the cemetery behind the church, are the graves of several of the British who were killed in the expedition against Zeebrugge(photo, p.80), and of the aviators who were brought down in the neighbourhood.

The "Friedriechsart" Battery. One of the guns in casemate, and shelters.

On leaving Zeebrugge, notice the"Friedriechsart" Battery, on the rightarmed with four 6½in. naval guns in closed turrets, turning on circular rail tracks mounted on concrete platforms. Between the guns are ammunition shelters connected with the guns by lifts, as on a battleship. In front are infantry defence-works which extend on both sides as far as the Bruges and Leopold Canals.

The "Freya" Battery.On the left: Heyst-sur-Mer. On the skyline: Zeebrugge Mole.

Cross the Léopold Canal; immediately beyond, on the left, is the"Kanal B" Battery, armed with 3½in. guns, and on the right a battery of 3in. anti-aircraft guns.

"Augusta" Batterysituated between the "Freya" Battery and Duinbergen, the first houses of which are seen in the photo. In the inset: One of the battery's guns.

Duinbergen.A, B and C: German Observation-Posts on the house-tops. (Seen from the observation-post on the Dune reached by following the arrow shown in the lower half of photo).

Duinbergen.

A, B and C: German Observation-Posts on the house-tops. (Seen from the observation-post on the Dune reached by following the arrow shown in the lower half of photo).

Continuing along the road, the tourist next reachesHeyst-sur-Mer(2 kms.) skirting the hotels and villas on the dike. Beyond the last houses of Heyst, on the right, is the"Freya" Battery, armed with four 8in. protected long-range guns, on circular concrete platforms. Between the left-hand gun and Heyst are two large ammunition shelters; the gunners' shelters are behind. This battery is prolonged by the"Augusta" Battery, armed with three 6in. guns on concrete platforms. There is a searchlight on the dike in front of the two batteries.

Kaiser-Wilhelm II Battery,to the west of Knocke (seen in the upper half of photo). Lower photo: the entrance to the battery, near the windmill.

Kaiser-Wilhelm II Battery,

to the west of Knocke (seen in the upper half of photo). Lower photo: the entrance to the battery, near the windmill.

The road next passes throughDuinbergen(1½ kms.), where the Germans had observation-posts on the roofs of three houses.In the village, turn to the right, at the corner of PauwersHôtel (photo, p.84) coming out behind the square which stretches as far as the dike, neara concrete observation-post, built on the top of a high dune, and commanding a fine view over the sea(Photo, p.84).

Keep along the street in front of the square, going away from the sea; about 100 yards beyond the tram-lines, turn left towardsKnocke(2½ kms.)

Turn left, before reaching the church, to the mill, near which isthe entrance to the"Kaiser Wilhelm II" Battery. The latter is armed with four 12in. long range guns, mounted on bridges, and pivoting round circular tracks in concrete pits, by means of electric motors(Photos, p.84).

If it is desired to go as far asKnocke-sur-Mer(1 km.), turn left, beyond the church, along Boulevard de Lippens.

This is the most northern seaside place on the Belgian coast. Its church (St. Margaret's) possesses a 15th century tower. During the war, the Germans transformed several houses on the dike into concrete shelters.

Return to Knocke, proceeding thence toHeystalong the road previously taken. EnterHeyst(3 kms.) by the Chaussée de Knocke; take Rue du Kursaal, on the left, then the Ramscappelle Road, on the right, bearing left again 400 yards further on. 2½ kms. beyondRamscappelle-lez-Brugestake the road on the right and cross the Leopold Canal.

Go throughDudzeelevillage, to the right of which arethe remains of a battery position,and further along the road,several concrete shelters.

Bruges(18 kms.) is entered by the Chaussée de Dudzeele. Take theFort Lapin, on the left, then cross the bridges, on the right, to thePlaine des Ecluses.

Beyond the latter, follow Rempart des Bassins, then, on the left, Rue du Calvaire, prolonged by Rue St. Claire, Rue St. Georges and Rue Flamande, coming out at theGrand'Place(See plan between pp.88and89.)

Bruges, seen from Quai du Rosaire. In the background:The Belfry.(See p.97.)

Bruges. Triumphal Entry of the Belgian Army, with King Albert and Queen Elizabeth at their head, on October 25, 1918.

Back to Index Next