Wilhelmshaven
the chief naval port of Germany; on the W. side of the entrance of the Bay or Gulf of Jahde; 45 miles N. W. of Bremen. The town, first projected in 1856, has been regularly laid out on a strip of ground bought by Prussia from Oldenburg in 1864, and was inaugurated by King William in June, 1869. It was until 1919 a fortress of the first rank, defended by outlying forts and an elaborate system of torpedoes, and, with its moles, extensive basins, dry docks, vast stores for the navy, and workshops for all the requirements of a fleet, had been a very costly creation-the massive buildings being erected on soft and swampy ground, without any natural advantage save its situation. Water has been obtained by means of artesian wells. A harbor for commercial purposes has been made to the S. of and connected with the naval one. During the World War it was one of the chief German naval stations, and was a main depot for the submarine fleet. Pop. about 35,000.