Heligoland

HELIGOLAND or Helgoland (Island of the Saints), Island in the North Sea, belonging to Britain, 55 km (34 miles) northwest of the mouth of the Elbe, facing Germany, which it seems to be watching, population 1 920. It is about 1.5 km (1 mile) long from north to south and 1 km (0.6 mile) wide, from East to West. constantly eaten into by the sea. Two good ports. The highest part, in the West, is 70 m (230 ft) above sea level. Saint Wilbrord, who preached Christianity at the beginning of the eighth century, gave the island its current name. It was taken from the Danes by the English in 1807 and was formally ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Kiel (14 Jan 1817). The inhabitants are descended from the Frisians and are mostly fishermen and pilots. There are few trees and two or three sources, but almost all the population uses rainwater. Fashionable seaside resort.
– naval battle of Heligoland, May 9, 1864, between the Danes and the Austro-German force. The Germans were thouroughly defeated.
 
Extract from the Trousset encyclopedia, 1886 – 1891.