CUXHAVEN

cuxhaven, or kuxhaven, a seaport town of germany, belonging to the state of hamburg, and situated at the extremity of the west side of the mouth of the elbe, 71 m. by rail n.w. from hamburg. pop. (1900) 6898. the harbour is good and secure, and is much frequented by vessels delayed in the elbe by unfavourable weather. a new harbour was made in 1891-1896, having a depth of 26(1/4) ft., with a fore port 1000 ft. long by 800 ft. wide; and it is now the place of departure and arrival of the mail steamers of the hamburg-american steamship company, who in 1901 transferred here a part of their permanent staff. the port is free, i.e. outside the customs union (_zollverein_), the imports being principally coals, bricks and timber, and the exports fish. there is a fishing fleet, for which a new harbour was opened in 1892. though lying on a bare strand, the town is much frequented as a bathing place by hamburgers. it is strongly fortified, and there are a lighthouse, and lifeboat and pilot stations. the town only dates from 1873, having been formed by uniting the villages of ritzebuttel and cuxhaven, which had belonged to hamburg since 1394.