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THE PORT

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D A N" Z I G

ELABORATED BY

TI-IE BOARD FOR THE PORT AND

THE WArrERWAYS OF DANZIG

PUBLISHED BY

THE POLISH ECONO?\IST

W A R S A W

2, ^{E L E K T O R A L N A}

1 9 2 9

002513

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PRINTERS: SP. AKC. ZAK?. GRAF. "DRUKARNIA POLSKA", WARSAW, 12, ^SZPITALNA

•

THE'BOARD FOR THE PORT AND THE WATERWAYS

OF DANZIG

PRESIDENT

H. DE LOt!S, ^Colonel

Ol' THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

DELEGATES:

OF THE FREE CITY Ol' DANZIG

F, H I L C H E N, Dr., ^Director

K. J ^{A C Y N I C} Z, ^Commandor

W. M O D E R O W" Councilor of the Pub lic Pro- secutor's Office

S. W I T K O W S KI, ^Commandor

H. Z A R Z Y C K I, ^Dircetor

E. B O S S E L M A N N, Shipowner

K. E X N E R, ^{Councilor to the} Government

K. H O F F M A NN, High ^{Councilor to the Go-}

vernment

H. K I E S E W E T T ER, ^Merchant

E. W E R N E R, ^Tradc Union Secretary

DIRECTORS OF THE HARBOUR BOARD:

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

B. N A G ÓR S K I

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

R. B R UN S

CIIIEFS OF DEPARTMENTS:

Dr. H. T H O M S E N (Traffic Dcpt) ^{A. R O ?} A N K O W S K I (Vistula ^Administr. Dcpt)

Dr. r. ^{W I c: Z K O W S K I} (Economic Dcpt) ^{A. K L O T Z K Y} (Port Construction Dept)

F. F OJ ^{U T} (Machin? Construction Dept)

FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT

FURTHER CHIEF AUTHORITIES OF THE HARBOUR BOARD:

ADMINlSTRATION DEPARTMENT

K. LITTSCHWAGER A. DEUTSCH

PILOTAGE OFFICE

CHIEFS OF OFFICES SITUATED IN THE HARBOUR:

PORT CONSTRUCTION OFFICE

T. Z I 6 ? K O W S K I (Master Pilot)

QUAY ^OFFICE

E. K U B A L L

W. SCHMIDT

MACHINE CONSTRUCTJON OFFICE

WATER CONSTRCCTION OFFICE

W. SCHOCKELT

w. Ze L LNER

c o M M E R C I A L A G E N T I N W A R S A W, 3, ^{W S P} Ó L N A

A. R U D Z KI

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I ^TIlE GRE?r'?rIEE?,STREES?[?NOMIC WEEKLEYD1UIN ^{POLAND I}

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a I I I I I I I I I I l I I :I

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! ^{DANZIC H,} SCIIICHAUCASSE, TEL .251-0&

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\vARSAW 2, ELEKTORALNA

mE POLISH EeONOMIST

A MONTIILY REVIEW

TIlE ONLY ECONOMIC PERIODICAL IN POLAND

PUBLISlfED IN ENGLISII

\vARSA w 2, ELEKTORALNA

ACENT FOR TIIE FREE CITY ^OF D A N Z ^{I G:}

C H A P T E R

HISTORICAL OUTLINE

References to the trade with the area surrounding ^the estuary ^{of the} Vistula, ^{are to}

be found in historical chronic1es dating ^{ba ck from the earliest} times, althóugh ^{the name}

of Danzig ^{itse1f do es not occur before the middle of the tenth} century. ^{From the} beginn-

ing ^{of the thirteenth} century onward, ^{detailed accounts} bearing ^on Danzig ^{oversea tra de}

are of frequent ^{occurence. Thanks to its} position, ^{at the mouth of a} large river, Danzig

became an important trading ^{centre, at which} converged ^{all the routes of its natural}

hinterland, ^that is, ^above all, ^{of the Polish} territories.

The considerable development ^of Danzig ^{as a} port and the growth ^{of its economic}

significance ^took place ^{in the second half of the fourteenth and at the} beginning ^{of the}

fifteenth centuries, ^{at which time} Danzig rapidly ^{extented its re1ations with overseas, that}

is, ^with Denmark, Sweden, Flanders, England, France, Spain ^and Portugal. ^{At the end}

of the sixteenth century, Danzig ships journeyed ^{as far ahead as} Italy. ^The population

of Danzig ^{in the} seventeenth century ^totalled 75.000 and at that time was greater than

of either Ni.irnberg ^or Hamburg.

The basie areas served by ^{the Port of} Danzig ^{were, in the first} place, composed

of the Polish territories. Independently ^of this, Danzig ^{also maintained active commer-}

cial relations with Lithuania, ^the ports ^of Riga ^and Reval, ^{and even the town of} Novgo-

rod, lying ^{far off in the North. In the} South, ^the connections extended ^as far as Hungary

and Moldavia, ^so that, frequently, goods originating ^{from the East were} shipped ^to

Western European ^{markets via} Danzig.

•

The favourable expansion ^{of economic relations was folIowed} by ^a steady ^deve-

lopment ^{of the} port ^{and its} facilities. In the initial stages, ^{the main} exports ^{were timber}

and wood products. ^{At the end of the fourteenth} century, in good ^{years, timber} exports

amounted to well over 2.500 hundreds, ^{each of 120 boards.} During ^these years the

annual exports of ashes and pitch ^{tar were each about 1.000 lasts and of beewax about}

1.000 stones. During ^{the sixteenth and} seventeenth centuries the export ^{of these artic1es}

6 ?J!?_1Ii ^.

,

VI EW OF THE FORMER DANZI<J HARBOUR ON THE MOTTLAU

continued to increase, ^so that, ^for instance, ^{in the} year 1610, ^the export ^{of ashes and}

potash ^{reached 10.014 lasts and of} pitch ^tar 6.074 ^{lasts. The value of the} merchandise

amounted to about l million gulden which, ^{at that} time, ^{was a} large ^sum.

Copper ^{and lead should also be mentioned} among the export ^{articles of those} days.

In the sixteenth and the seventeenth centuries the exports ^of copper fluctuated between

five and ten thousand quintals per ^annum.

The export ^of grain ^{was commenced in the fifteenth} century ^{and assumed its}

largest proportions during ^{the second half of the sixteenth cen} tury and at the beginning

of the seventeenth century, when, ^{in some} years, it amounted to 128.000 lasts or

250.000 ^tons. Since the second half of the seventeenth century, ^{as a result of continual}

wars and the economic downfall ^of the Danzig hinterland, ^{it was} only ⁱⁿ exceptional

years that the export of grain ^{attained 5°.000 lasts. Among the articles} exported

during ^this period ^{were also flax,} hernp, feathers, linen, saltpetre ^{and raw hides. The}

chief imports ^{in olden} days ^were spices, ^exotic fruits, drugs ^{which, for the most} part,

came from Antwerp, ^{Amsterdam and Lisbon. The total of these} imports ^{at the} beginn-

ing ^{of the} eighteenth century ^{was 200.000} pounds. ^{In addition,} large quantities ^of salt,

7

V l E W () F T H E G-R A N A R I E S I N T II E O L D D A N Z I G H A RB O UR

herrings ^{and wine wcre} imported. ^{One of the morc} important ^{items was tanned} leather,

the annual imports being ^{about 1 million} hides; ^{another was} cloth, ^{the Polish} produc-

tion of which in those days ^was Lbut insignificant; ^{there were} also imports ^of glass

and paper.

The movement of ships ^was quite large, considcring ^{the times. From the be-}

ginning ^{of the sixteenth} century ^{to the end of} the seventeenth century, ^{thc number of}

vessels calIing ^at Danzig ranged ^from 500 ^{to 1.000} per annum, and it is worthy ^{of note}

that the Dutch flag occupied ^{the first} place, ^the English ^{and the} Danzig flags ^second

and third res pcctive1y.

As will have been seen from the above short outlinc, ^{the Port of} Danzig played

an important ^{role as an} intermediary ^{betwecn thc East and} the West even during ^the

period ^{from thc fifteenth to the} eighteenth _centuries, bcing ^{one of the most} important

links in thc international trade of that time. On the Baltic the -only ^serious compctitor

of Danzig ^{was Lubcek.}

During ^{the second half of the} eighteenth ^cen _tury, the Danzig ^{trade commenccd}

to falI owing ^{to wars and} political changes ^{in its} hinterland.

8

VI EW OF AN OLD FORTRESS AT WEICHSELMUNDE

At the beginning ^{of the nineteenth} century Danzig ^was incorporated ⁱⁿ Prussia, ^thus

becoming ^{one ofthe numerous German ports on the Baltic.} During ^this period thepointof ^gra-

vitation of international trade ^was shifted westward, ^{to the Atlantic} Ocean, ^{and to the} ports

situated doser to it. In addition, ^the partitions ^{of Poland and the} intersection of Danzig's

hinterland by ^{customs and} political ^frontiers hampered ^the development ^{of tra de with over-}

sea countries. Nevertheless, ^{the Port of} Danzig ^{increased its turnover little} by ^little and,

shortly ^{before the war, it was} playing ^an important part ^{in the seaborne tra de on the}

Baltic. A detai1ed review of the movement of ships ^and merchandise in the Port of Dan-

zig during ^this period ^{will be} given ^{later in connection wit h the} analysis ^{of the traffic}

during ^{the last} years.

After the war, the Port of Danzig ^{had to} per form fresh functions and to assume

new duties; ^{it had to work under conditions different to} those, ^{which had obtained in}

the nineteenth century. Owing ^{to the} unification of Poland and the incorporation ^of

the Free City ^of Danzig ^{in the Polish customs} territory, ^{the Port has} gained ^{a vast hin-}

terland, ^{and has become the} mainstay ^{of Poland's oversca trade.}

The object ^{of this book is to} acquaint ^{the reader with the} development ^{and the}

work of the Port of Danzig during ^{the last ten years and at the present time.}

-: ^?

i?'J?'\ \-?,

, -

CHAPTER II

THE AUTHORITIES OF THE PORT

OF DANZIG

1. ^- CHIEF AUTHORITIES

In accordance with the convention between Poland and Danzig, ^{dated November} 9,

1920, ^{the direction and the} administration of the Danzig ^{harbour is in the hands of the}

B o a r d f o r t h e P o r t a n d t h e Wat e r wa y ^{s o} f D a n z i _g. This Board is composed

of an equal ^{number of} commissioners appointed by ^the Republic ^{of Poland and the Free} City

ofDanzig, ^{and is headed} by ^{a neutral} President, ^{who is either selected} by ^mutual agreement

of the Polish Government and the Senat of the Free City ^of Danzig ^or, failing this, ^is

nominated by ^{the Council of the} League ^of Nations, ^{in which case he must be a Swiss}

cinzen. The Board decides on all matters bearing ^{on the} administration and the

extension of the harbour and acts through ^the intermediary ^{of its executive organs which}

will be dealt with below. Moreover, ^the Board is subdivided into sections, ^which

include de1egates ^{one from each side.}

The Harbour Board has three official languages, namely ^- Polish, ^{German and}

Frcnch, ^but correspondence ^{may be ais o conducted in} English, Russian, ^{Italian and}

Dutch, ^{as the Board has in its} employ ^officials acquainted ^{with these} languages.

The Board has its own flag bearing ^{the coats of arms of bot h the} Republic ^of

Poland and the Free City ^of Danzig.

2. ^- EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES

The chief executive authorities of the Harbour Board are the Commercial and

the Technical Directors, appointed by ^{the Board. In} addition, ^the Administration and

the Financial Departments, ^{which are} subject ^{to the} appropriate Sections, ^{come direct-}

ly ^{under the Board.}

10 A) ^{COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR}

The Commercial Director acts under the general supervision ^{of the Harbour}

Board and deals with the exploitation ^{of the Port of} Danzig. ^{All matters connected}

with trade, navigation ^{and the} transshipment ^of merchandise in the Port are concen-

trated in his hands. Acting through ^the intermediary ^{of his executive} organs, he is res-

ponsible ^{for the control of the traffic and the} exploitation ^{of the} port facilities. He exa-

mines the development ^{of the} port traffic, ^{studies its} requirements, ^{and drafts recom-}

mendations in this sphere ^for consideration of the Board. The Commercial Director is

also entrusted with the preparation ^of projects ^{for amendment of} port tariffs; ^{he has}

to watch over the railway ^{rates in the hinterland and to take care that} they ^{are favour-}

able and conducive to the use of the port ^{facilities in connection wit h overseas trade.}

Matters bearing ^{on internal} exploitation ^{of the Port are dealt with at the head}

offices of the Commercial Director by ^{the T r a f f i c D e} p ^{a r t rn e n} t, under which

corne all the cxccutive offices of the harbour. Here should be rnentioned the P i lot

O f f i c e, which regulates ^{the rnovernent of} ships ^{in the harbour and its} approaches,

and the Q ^{u a} y O f f i c e, which is cntrustcd with the exploitation ^{of the trans-}

shiprnent ^and warehousing ^{facilities owned} by ^{the Harbour Board .}

..

GE NE R .\ L V I E W o F T II E C I T Y A N D o F T II F P o R T o F D A N Z I CI

Economic matters, such as the regulation ^{of the} port charges, ^the preparation ^{I I}

of projects ^of railway ^{rates, tariff} c1aims, publicity, statistics, &c., ^{are entrusted} by ^the

Commercial Director to the chief of the E c o n o m i c D e p ^{a r t m e n t.} In this eon-

nection it should be mentioned the T a r i f f B u r e a u, which examines the railway

rates to Danzig ^and compares them with those to other ports, ^{and calculates the costs}

of transport ^on request ^{from interested} parties. ^{The Chief of the Bureau is an expert}

on rates and tariffs.

Of the various services subjected ^{to the Commercial Director mention should also}

be made of the C o m m e r c i a l A _g e n t i n War s a w, whose function is the

maintenance of close contact with the users of the Port residing ^{within its} hinterland,

the supplying ^of information ^to customers and, finally, general publicity ^work.

B) ^{TECHNICAL DIRECTOR}

The Technical Director deals with a11 matters apertaining ^{to extensions and conser-}

vation of the harbour and the waterways of Danzig.

The Technical Directotate is subdivided into three Departments:

A l'ORTIO? OF TIlE PORT

I2 T h e P o r t C o n s t r u c t i o n D e p ^{a r t m e n} t, in conjunction ^with the

Commercial Director, _prepares plan ^{s and} proposais ^{for the extensions to be made}

to the harbour which, ^after being approved ^{by the Harbour Board, are executed}

under the control of this Department. ^{Moreover, the Port} Construction Department

also provides ^{for the} repair ^and maintenance of a11 buildings ^{in the harbour,} sheds, quays,

bulwarks, embankments, roads, pavements, ^&c. Together ^{with the Machine Construc-}

tion Department, ^{it looks after the} lighting ^{in the harbour, the marine marks,} fog sig-

nalling stations, ^{&c. The executive} organ of the Port Construction Department ^{is the}

Port Construction Office at Neufarhwasser.

T h e M a c h i n e C o n s t r u c t i ^{o n} D e p ^{a r t m e n t} is entrusted wit h the

construction and the maintenance in good working ^{order of a11 the mechanical}

equipment ^{in the harbour and} along ^{the waterways, that is, cranes,} special appliances

for the transshipment ^{of ores and coal, and ais o of a11 vessels and} machinery, ^ice

breakers, dredgers, pile-drivers ^{? &c. The work is} performed ^{through the Machine}

Construction Office Danzig-Krakau ^{and the Harbour} Workshops ^at Neufahrwasser.

T h e V i s t U 1 a A d m i n i s t r a t i o n D e p ^{a r t m e n t} is in charge ^{of a11}

work connected with the regulation ^{of the river Vistula wit hi n the boundaries of the Free}

City ^{and of the other} waterways leading ^{to the} Bay ^of Danzig. ^This Department super-

vises the locks and river regulation constructions ^on these waterways; looks after the

two moles at the estuary ^{of the Vistula and} prevents ^{the estuary of the river from becom-}

ing ^silted up and, ⁱⁿ addition, ^takes charge ^{of the ice} breaking, dredging ^{work in the}

• river beds and also hydrometrie measurments and sounding, ^{&c. The work is carried}

out by ^{the Water} Construction Off'ice at Einlage.

In principle, ^{a11 the more} important building ^{schernes are} given ^{out to} private

contractors by public tender, ^while repairs ^{and new} buildings ^{of small dimensions are}

dealt with by ^{the offices or mechanical} workshops ^{of the Harbour Board.}

e) ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

This department, ^{as has been mentioned, is} subject ^{to Section I of the Harbour Board.}

It deals with matters pertaining ^{to personne1,} lega? questions, purchases ^{of office fur-}

niture and stationary, administration of buildings, ^{labour, health, insurance, &c.}

D) FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT

This department ^{comes under Section II of the Harbour} Board, ^{and is in} charge

of the accounts and the Cashier's Office. Through ^{a staff of} comptrollers ^{it verifies in-}

voices presented ^{to the Harbour Board for payment. In addition, the Section drafts}

the annual budget estimates, ^{deals with} credits, ^takes steps concerning ^the raising ^of

loans, ^{and looks after the} redemption ^{and service of the loans contracted .}

•