Cherbourg

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a fortified seaport and naval arsenal of France, in the department of La Manche, 196 miles W. N. W. of Paris. It is the headquarters of one of the five maritime arrondissements of France and one of the chief torpedo stations. The fortifications are very extensive, and have been greatly strengthened in recent times, so that Cherbourg, if not impregnable from the sea, is at least very difficult of attack. The port is divided into the commercial and naval ports, which are quite distinct. The Port Militaire is accessible at all times of tide for vessels of the largest class; there are slips for vessels of the largest dimensions, dry docks, building-sheds, mast-houses, houses, boiler-works, and in short everything necessary for the building and fitting out of ships of war. There is a great digue breakwater, stretching across the roadstead, which, though protected on three sides by the land, was formerly open to the heavy seas from the north. The digue was commenced under Louis XVI., is 4,120 yards long, and is 21/4 miles from the harbor, in water varying from 42 to 62 feet deep. A fort and lighthouse occupy the center of the digue, and there are circular forts at the extremities. The principal industry of the town is centered in the works of the dock-yard, the commercial trade and manufactures being comparatively insignificant, although it is a port of call of several of the largest French, British and American passenger steamship lines. Cherbourg occupies the site of a Roman station. William the Conqueror founded a hospital in it, and built the castle church. The castle, in which Henry II. frequently resided, was one of the strongholds of Normandy. The town was taken by the British in 1758. During the World War it was of great importance as a military and naval port. Pop. about 45,000.