From the north Antwerp has access
to the sea by the river Scheldt, of which the arm nearest to the
city is narrow, with six strong forts on each bank, including the
citadel.
Any armies approaching from the south must cross the rivers Rupel
and Nethe, which practically, in the shape of a semicircle, swing
around the city to the south at a distance varying from about six
to twelve miles. Within this circle of flowing water, and about two
miles from the city, is another circle, formed by twelve powerful
forts. At a point almost due east from the center of the city and
commanding the railroad to Holland, by way of Turnhout, is located
the first of eight forts, designated by numbers. From there they
swing to the south and west, with fort eight very close to the
Scheldt and directly south to the village of Hoboken. On the other
side of the river are Forts de Cruibeke and Zwyndrecht, the latter
commanding the railroad to Ghent. Further north and right on the
banks of the Scheldt are Forts St. Marie, la Perle, and St. Philip,
the first two on the left bank and the last on the right, all three
opposite the new harbor and docks. In the northeast Fort de Merkem
guards the railroad to Rotterdam. Outside of this circle and in the
south, outside of the Nethe-Rupel line, there is another complete
circle of nineteen even stronger forts, at a distance from the
city varying between five and ten miles.
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