According to the view of English experts, if a blockade is to be maintained permanently, the distance between the base and the blockading line must not exceed 200 nautical miles.

Since all the English naval ports are considerably farther than this from our coast, the difficulties of carrying on the blockade will be enormously increased.

That appears to be the reason why the estuary at Harwich has recently been transformed into a strong naval harbour.

It is considered the best harbourage on the English coast, and is hardly 300 nautical miles from the German coast.

It offers good possibilities of fortification, and safe ingress and egress in time of war.