Studia Maritima

The article, based on archival sources preserved in the Secret Prussian State Archives in Berlin-Dahlem, examines the attempts undertaken since 1720 to make the Dziwna Strait navigable and to build a seaport at its mouth. The hydrological analysis of the strait conducted by Prussian officials in 1720–1721 concluded that clearing the Dziwna would be extremely costly, and the expenses incurred would not guarantee success. Consequently, it was ultimately decided that the Świna Strait was better suited to become the primary waterway connecting Szczecin to the sea. The first dredging works at the mouth of the Świna began in 1730, although significant funding from the Prussian state for deepening the strait and constructing a seaport only commenced in 1739. By around 1750, most goods traveling to or from Szczecin were already passing through the Świna. Meanwhile, traffic on the Dziwna consisted solely of small, local vessels. In 1772, Frederick II initiated a new effort to deepen the Dziwna and build a seaport at its mouth. However, the king was persuaded by his officials that the investment would be exceptionally expensive and economically unviable, given the well-functioning waterway on the Świna. As a result, no works were undertaken on the Dziwna Strait. The third phase of attempts to make the Dziwna navigable occurred in 1786 and 1801, led by the Kamień Pomorski magistrate, which submitted relevant memoranda to the Berlin authorities. After reviewing the town’s arguments, the Prussian government rejected the requests for large-scale dredging works on the Dziwna and the construction of a port on the Wrzosowo Bay. However, local merchant communities were not prohibited from undertaking the project on their own. Ultimately, the financially weak merchant community of Kamień Pomorski was unable to fund the planned works. Thus, until the end of the early Prussian period, making the Dziwna fully navigable remained solely in the realm of plans.