Spezia

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

the principal naval port of Italy; near the head of a deep and commodious bay on the W. side of the peninsula; 56 miles S. E. of Genoa. It was Napoleon I. who first recognized the suitability of this bay for the purposes to which the Italians, instigated thereto by Cavour, have now put it. An artificial breakwater (built in 1860), 2,400 feet long, covers the entrance; while formidable batteries of the heaviest artillery (supplemented by torpedo appliances) bristle on the hills that overlook the bay and on the island of Palmeria that guards its entrance. Here the Italians have constructed the great national arsenal, and build their large warships, and have their ship repairing yards and docks, and their naval victualling yards, store houses, etc. There are also in the town large barracks, a military hospital, as well as schools of SPEYER, JAMES foundry, and manu. navigation, an iron fo factures of cables, sail-cloth, and white lead. During the World War Spezia was a naval port of great importance. The adjacent country produces excellent olive oil. The beauty of the bay and the lovely climate cause Spezia to be much side resort. It was frequented as a seaside on the shores of this bay that Shelley spent the last few months of his life, while at the town of Spezia Charles Lever lived and wrote for some years. Pop. about 73,500. SPEYER, SIR EDGAR, a British capitalist, born at Frankfort-on-Main, in 1862. He was educated at the Real Gymnasium, Frankfort-on-Main, Germany. He became a partner in his father's three firms-Speyer Bros., London; Speyer & Co., New York, and L. Speyer, Ellissen, Frankfort-on-Main. He was resident partner in the Frankfort SIR EDGAR SPEYER firm till 1887, when he took direction of the London house, and retired from the New York and Frankfort firms in 1914. He is one of the founders of the Whitechapel Art Gallery, and was in 1905 a member of the Company Law Amendment Committee. He was made a Baronet in 1906 and a Privy Councillor in 1909. American SPEYER, JAMES, an banker, born in New York City, in 1861. He was educated in Germany, and in 1883 entered the banking house of his father, at Frankfort-on-the-Main. After service in the Paris and London branches, he was given charge of the New York branch, becoming finally head of the firm. He was one of the most prominent financiers in New York and was trustee and director in various SPEYER, JAMES financial and industrial organizations. He presented to the Teachers College of the Columbia University the Speyer School in 1902, and was trustee of Columbia and a director of several other educational and philanthropic institutions.