Kiel, Canal

From Encyclopediak

Kiel, Keel, Canal, a ship canal across the Peninsula of Jutland. It is 61 m. long, and as originally constructed was 28 ft. deep and 85 ft. wide at the bottom. This canal was constructed by the German Government for military purposes and was completed in 1895 at a cost of 40,000,000. In 1910 work was begun on improvements, which included an increase of the depth and width and lengthening of the locks to it. The estimated cost of the improvement was 55,000,000. Merchant ships are allowed to use the canal, and by so doing they avoid the long and dangerous passage around Denmark, shortening over 200 m. the distance between the Baltic Sea and the English Channel.