b o o k . Cronftadt, at which port the greateft part of the Ruffian
, v l- . navy is fituated, ftands upon the iiland of Retufari in the
Gulf of Finland; and wasfounded by Peter I. as being provided
with the fafeft harbour in thefe parts, and as forming
a ftrong bulwark by fea for the defence of the new metropolis.
The only paffage by which ihips of burden can approach
Peteriburgh, lies on the fouth fide o f Retufari, through
a narrow channel; one fide whereof is commanded by
Cronftadt, and the oppofite by Cronilot and the citadel.
Cronflot, which ftands upon a fmall iiland o f fand, is a
circular wooden building, and furrounded with fortifications
o f wood that jut into the water : it contains a garrifon o f an
hundred men. The citadel is another fmall wooden fortrefs,
conftru&ed alfo upon an adjacent fand bank, and capable of
holding about thirty foldiers : all large veffels muft fail between
Cronftadt and thefe two fortrefles, expofed to the fire
of the oppofite batteries ; for the other parts o f the gulf
are only from one to eleven feet -in depth. All thefe fortifications
were, at the time o f their conftruCtion, efteemed
places of confiderable ftrength ; but now they derive their
confequence more from their paft importance, than from
any refiftance .they .could make againft the attack o f a powe
r fu l fleet.
The ifland Retufari is a long flip o f land, or rather fand;
through the middle o f which runs a ridge of granite. It is
20 miles from Peteriburgh by water, four from the ihore of
Ingria, and nine from the coaft o f Carelia. It is about ten
miles in circumference, and was overfpreacl with firs and
pines when Peter firft conquered it from the Swedes.
I t contains at prefent about 30,000 inhabitants, including
¡the failors and garrifon, the former o f whom amofiht to about
1 2,000,
£2,000., the latter to 1,500 men. The iiland affords a CHAF-
fmall quantity o f pafture, produces vegetables, and a few ^ l_ >
fruits, fuch as apples, currants, goofeberries and ftrawberries,
which thrive in this northern climate.
Cronftadt is built ujion the fouth eaftern extremity o f the
ifland, and is defended towards the fea by wooden piers
projecting into the water, and towards the land by ramparts
and baftions. It is a very ftraggling place, and
occupies, like all the Ruffian towns, a larger fpace o f ground
than the number o f habitations feem to require; the houfes
are moftly o f wood, excepting a few fronting the harbour,
which are o f brick ituccoed white. Among the latter are
the imperial hofpital for failors, the barracks, and the academy
for marines and officers of the navy. That feminary
contained, in 17 78 , three hundred and feventy cadets, who
are clothed, maintained, and taught at the expence o f the
crown : they are admitted at the age o f five, and are fuffered
to remain until they reach their feventeenth year. They
learn accounts, mathematicks, drawing, fortification, and navigation
; and have matters in the French^Jerman, Engliffi,
and Swediih languages. They are trained to naval affairs,
and make an annual cruize in the Baltick as far as Revel.
Cronftadt has a feparate haven appropriated to the men
of war, and another to merchant-lhips. The men o f wars’
haven contained twenty ihips o f the line and nine frigates,
which were difmafted, with their guns and tackle on ihore.
We went on board o f the Ezekiel o f 80 guns, efteemed the
fineft ffiip in the n a v y : ihe was built under the infpe&ion
° f admiral Knowles, and carries 800 men.
I lofe to the haven for merchant-ihips is a canal and fe-
veral dry docks, begun in 1 7 1 9 , by Peter I. for the purpofe
of refitting the men o f war ; this ufeful work was
^0Jj' G g negleCted