Latvia

International Harbors

The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians.

Ethnically, the population is 59% Latvian and 29% Russian; more than a third live in Riga, the capital. Founded in 1201, Riga is the largest city in the three Baltic states with a population of 730 000.

Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Situated on the Baltic coast, Latvia is a low-lying country with large forests that supply timber for construction and paper industries. The environment is rich in wildlife. Latvia also produces consumer goods, textiles and machine tools.

Riga, Latvia, 19th century

June 1, 1817, London, United Kingdom

Present State of Europe.

The Duke of Mecklemburgh . . . has sent one of his counsellors to Spa, to wait on the Czar, and desires that he will not send away his forces till he has obtained some Articles from the Emperor and the Empire for his Security. They write from Copenhagen, that a British Man of War and 3 Frigates arrived there the 8th past, with bout 80 Merchant Ships of several Nations, bound for the Baltick, which are to proceed on their Voyage with first fair Wind. Three Danish Cruizers have taken a large Swedish Galleon, notwithstanding the Great Fire the Swedes made upon them from their Batteries. There is Advice from Stratsund that a Swedish Yacht being chafed by a Danish Ship, ran aground on the Isle of Dars, where the Heffian General Rank had imbarked for Lubeck on board that Yacht, landed, with Count Bielke and some other Officers, who were immediately seized by the Danes and carried to Stralsund. . . Letters from Riga say that the Moscoite Fleet fitted out at Revel is actually at sea, and bound, as 'tis said, for the Coast of Pomerania.

Morning Chronicle , August 21, 1854, London, Middlesex, United Kingdom

ADMIRALTY COURT

Before Dr. Lushington.
THE UNION.

This was an application for the admission of a claim brought by Mr. Gronsund, of John-street, Minories, in the city of London, of the firm of Litchfield and Gronsund, ship agents, on behalf of Messrs. Schmidt and Von Varm, of Flensburg, in the kingdom of Denmark, owners of the above vessel and her cargo at the time she was seized, on the 21st May, by her Majesty's vessel Cruiser. It appeared the schooner Union sailed on the 14th May last, on a voyage to Riga from Flensburg, or, in case of Riga being under blockade, to Memel. In opposition to the application it was asserted the vessel had violated the blockade of Riga, that at the time in question Riga was in a state of blockade, and the Union having a contingent destination should have gone to Memel, where she could have ascertained the fact. It was alleged that instead of doing so the master went on to Lyserort, and, consequently, his vessel became subject to seizure. The master asserted that the fact of the blockade was not published, and there was no evidence whatever to show that Riga was in a state of blockade on the 21st of May. The notification was first made on the 16th of June, and it was not until the 14th of August that Riga was declared to be in a state of blockade from the 17th of April. It was pleaded there was no knowledge of the blockade at Flensburg at the time the Union commenced her voyage, and that the seizure took place 120 miles from Riga.

The Queen's Advocate contended that the ship and cargo were both liable to be condemned, the master having neglected to ascertain the fact of the blockade of Riga being in existence when he had the means of doing so with ease.

Dr. Jenner was also heard against the claim.

Araisi Lake Fortress, Near Cesis, Latvia

Dr. Addams, with whom was Dr. Twiss, contended on behalf of the owners that the vessel was justified in proceeding to Lyserort, and they were therefore entitled to the restitution of the ship and cargo. If the vessel had gone to Memel they would not have received more satisfactory information than they already possessed at Flensburg, and their intention in proceeding towards Riga was to inquire whether that port was under blockade or not.

Dr. Lushington ordered further proof as to whether the blockade of the port of Riga was known at the time in question, and whether it was a blockade de facto imposed at the period stated. In this case the Court reserved its decision.

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1899. World's Fleet. Boston Daily Globe

Lloyds Register of Shipping gives the entire fleet of the world as 28,180 steamers and sailing vessels, with a total tonnage of 27,673,628, of which 39 perent are British.

Great Britain	10,990 vessels, total tonnage of 10,792,714
United States	3,010 vessels, total tonnage of 2,405,887
Norway	2,528 vessels, tonnage of 1,604,230
Germany	1,676 vessels, with a tonnage of 2,453,334, in which are included her particularly large ships.
Sweden	1,408 vessels with a tonnage of 643, 527
Italy	1,150 vessels
France	1,182 vessels

For Historical Comparison
Top 10 Maritime Nations Ranked by Value (2017)

	Country	# of Vessels	Gross Tonnage (m)	Total Value (USDbn)
1	Greece	4,453	206.47	$88.0
2	Japan	4,317	150.26	$79.8
3	China	4,938	159.71	$71.7
4	USA	2,399	55.92	$46.5
5	Singapore	2,662	64.03	$41.7
6	Norway	1,668	39.68	$41.1
7	Germany	2,923	81.17	$30.3
8	UK	883	28.78	$24.3
9	Denmark	1,040	36.17	$23.4
10	South Korea	1,484	49.88	$20.1
Total		26,767	87.21	$466.9