3-039-166 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Improvements at the Sulina Mouth of the Danube, 1871. 'The recent Conference of the European Powers on the Black Sea question has decided, among other things, to prolong twelve years more the functions of the European Commission, for the improvement of the navigation of the Danube. This is a matter of great commercial importance to all nations...We give an Illustration of the works intended to render permanent the improvements already effected at the Sulina mouth, and to extend those begun in the Sulina branch of the great river. This mouth of the Danube was but temporarily made fit, in the years 1858 to 1861, to serve all purposes of navigation till the St. George's mouth should be opened, the channel of the latter branch being very superior to the Sulina for navigation, but having its mouth closed by a shallow bar...the temporary works at the Sulina mouth...consisted chiefly of two moles or piers running out into the sea, and directing the river current over the bar. The effect of this was. in a short time, to sweep away the banks of sand that had, from time immemorial, proved such an obstacle to the navigation as at times almost to bar the entrance to seagoing vessels, and a good navigable channel of from 16 to 17 ft. in depth was obtained'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.