Deepwater Seaport Built for the Modern Age
Opened in 1903 by King Leopold of Belgium, this vast deep-water harbour was built to withstand the harsh conditions of the North Sea. Its defining feature — a crescent‑shaped concrete Mole stretching 1.5 miles into the water — remains the longest structure of its kind in the world of the time. Today, Zeebrugge has grown into a chief industrial port, but its beginnings lie in this monumental construction that once dominated the Belgian coastline.The image shows evidence of damage after the raid. See the rubble lining the foot of the mole wall and a disused gun to the left. This photo was purchased from a flea-market to form part of the Zeebrugge collection. It is the original photo and is unlikely to be seen in mainstream published books or articles on the Web.
The Mole at Zeebrugge is the Longest of its kind in the world at the time.
The Mole at Zeebrugge is the Longest of its kind in the world at the time.
A 1.5‑Mile Crescent‑Shaped Breakwater Facing the North Sea
This deepwater seaport at Zeebrugge was built in the early part of the 20th century and today is a heavily industrialised port. Indeed, the Mole was opened with some pomp by King Leopold of Belgium in 1903. This photograph was taken fifteen years later in 1918.At the time, this construction represented a big step forward in maritime infrastructure, designed to protect the harbour from the violent storms that swept in from the west. Its construction allowed Zeebrugge to function as a major deepwater port capable of accommodating large vessels, essential for Belgium’s blossoming industrial and commercial ambitions.
The massive construction is crescent-shaped and juts 1.5 miles out to sea, pointing in a north-easterly direction towards the North Sea.
Relevant Links on the Zeebrugge
Raid 1918
More Photos Relating to the Zeebrugge Raid of 1918
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