Nurthaven and Antruusbuurg Canal

The N&A Canal, known formally as the Nurthaven and Antruusbuurg Canal, is a canal constructed by Cranda around 2100 ASC. The canal bisects the Jääland Peninsula on the northern tip of Apollonia and, as the name suggests, connects from the city of Nurthaven on the east coast to the city of Antruusbuurg on the west coast. The canal is one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever completed on Micras and extends nearly 288km (179mi). Surveyors used a combination of existing waterways and man-made canals to create a navigable water course for shipping in and out of the Clear Sea.

The canal was maintained by several other states succeeding Cranda after its collapse, primarily by Alexandria during their brief tenure through the Diet of the Clear Sea. The canal fell into disuse and neglect when Gralus took over the region, during which time significant siltation occurred and numerous locks became irreparable. In 1699 Lac Glacei laid claim to the canal and began dredging the channel in order to allow shipping traffic to once again utilize an important means of commerce. Meckelnburgh has also cited interest in assisting with restoring the canal as they too have a vested interest in improving commerce within the Clear Sea.

As the course of the canal would cross the frontier of Jääland, as well as block that country's future ability to expand southwards, the move to annex the canal region was brought to the attention of domestic authorities there by the Apollonian Continental Theatre Command of the Raspur Pact and a battalion-sized battlegroup of the Allied Reconstruction Mission in Hurmu airlifted to Hellistelli International Airport so as to provide support. On arrival the UDF Överste attached to the deployed force as its political officer was obliged to report back an absence of the necessary political will in Jääland that would be required to effect an occupation of the canal zone. Following this, the deployed force retasked towards focusing on enhancing airport security.

Despite claims that the canal would cross Jääland, its course does in fact run directly south of their border in unclaimed territory. Lac Glacei has established a 6-to-12km perimeter zone on either side of the canal for security. Assurances have been made to Jääland that provides them unrestricted access to the canal for border crossings and commerce. Lac Glacei has also formally extended recognition of Jääland's sphere of influence over the northern unclaimed portion of the peninsula, granting them the ability to expand there if desired.

Construction

The N&A Canal in ancient times

The N&A Canal at Present

The canal was built utilizing a combination of natural waterways and man-made canals with several locks to control water levels and allow ships to successfully traverse the varied topography. Beginning in the port of Antruusbuurg, the canal flows east along the Cold River to Canal One, which contains Locks A and B. Canal One controls access and connects the Cold River to the large Anglie River that then connects to Nurth Lake. The lake is dammed and has two locks of its own, whose primary purpose to to act as ballast for controlling the water levels on the entire canal. If the locks at Canal One or Canal Two need more or less water, the large reservoir at the lake can quickly adjust these levels. The canal then flows east from the lake to Canal Two where Locks C and D are located. Finally it connects to the Nurth River where it empties near the city of Nurthaven.

The N&A Canal in Detail

Restoration

Beginning in 1700 AN, construction crews from Lac Glacei and Meckelnburgh arrived in the area to begin dredging operations whose objective was to clear away several centuries of siltation in the canal. The majority of Lac Glacei's crews were stationed in Nurthaven, while those of Meckelnburgh were stationed in Antruusbuurg. In areas that maintained natural water flow, such as rivers, siltation was not as much of a problem as in areas such as man-made canals and in the four locks, which had completely silted in from years of disuse. Dredging ships were employed from both ends to begin clearing the waterways from the ocean sides inland. But additional crews were brought in to work on the locks from the sides of the canal. In addition, Lac Glacei employed the use of specialized floating steam shovels to begin dredging operations further in, such as along the Anglie River.

As dredging continued well into late 1700, work also began on the Jaaland Bridge. The bridge spans a little over one mile and is being paid for by Lac Glacei (at a cost of 20 mil blanc) to assist in creating access for commerce with Jaaland and in fulfilling their commitment to not completely land-lock the northerly state. Construction began on piers located centrally along the Anglie River at its narrowest point. The pylons are elevated to allow shipping to pass unhindered along the river below. Once complete, the bridge will provide Jaaland with direct access to canal ports and shipping, greatly increasing their ability to import and export goods.

By early 1701 dredging efforts had cleared the Est River from Nurthaven to Nurth Lake, and repaired Locks C and D. Crews from Meckelnburgh had managed to clear the Anglie River to Locks A and B. This has allowed construction crews to work on repairing the locks and preventing further siltation in areas that were recently cleared. The dam at Nurth Lake was also repaired, which allowed engineers to drain much of the river between the lake and Lock B. This has made that particular section of the river much more accessible to crews and allowed for faster construction of the Jaaland Bridge.

Spring of 1702 saw the completion of dredging the Nurth River, the last and longest section of the canal. Although most construction was halted during the winter months, the combined crews from Lac Glacei and Meckelnburgh worked until the ground froze solid and began again at first thaw. As such they were able to have the canal ready for traffic by 1702.I. An opening ceremony was held on 1702.I.4, with representatives from Jaaland, Lac Glacei and Meckelnburgh attending a ribbon cutting and the passage of the first ship through the canal, the HMS Kristana. Work continues on the Jaaland Bridge, which is expected to be complete by 1703.