map of Dunkirk  

1. The Town of Dunkirk is very well fortified, full of Soldiers, and furnished with all Warlike Habiliments.  
2. The great Sandy Hills near Dunkirk are taken into a very large and Strong Citadel, well furnished with all manner of Artillery, and other Necessaries.  
3. The French King hath Cut a New Trench thorough the Splinter Sands, one Mile in length, for a Harbour for his Men of War, and hath by Art, and Vast Expense, so far Advanced the Work, that it will at present, upon the Head of the Tide, Receive a Hundred Men of War, of Forty Five Guns apiece, and when finished, 150 Ships of Seventy Guns apiece, may enter at the Top of Tide, and be safely secured from Storms, and all Enemies whatsoever.  
4. The French King is Raising a Castle in the Sea, at the Mouth of the New Harbour, on which will be Planted 200 Pieces of Cannon, when finished, to secure his Men of War in this New Mole.  
5. This Great and Prodigious Work hath been Four Years in Action, and in One Year more it may be finished; and at present there may be Employed in and about the Work, and preparing Materials 14000 Persons.  
6. The Town of Dunkirk is at present a Free Port, and much Land is laying out to build upon, to Enlarge the Town.  
7. When the Harbour and Castle in the Sea is finished, the Mole will be secure from Sands choking it, the West-wind driving the Sands, and lodging it against the Westside of the Harbour; and the Flashes of Water drawn out of the Rivers above the Town, forceth out all Sands that come in at the Mouth of the Harbour.   

Query 1. If the Harbour at Dunkirk be finished, Whether the Strength of England and Holland by Sea can destroy it?  
Q. 2. If the Harbour of Dunkirk were finished, Whether Holland will not be forced upon necessity to join with the French?  
Q. 3. If the Harbour of Dunkirk were finished, Whether their Men of War from Dunkirk will not be in half Sea in Four Hours, in the Downs in Ten Hours, in the Mouth of the Thames in Sixteen Hours?  
Q. 4. If the Harbour of Dunkirk were finished, Whether England can be without Two Hundred Men of War to justify the Honour of the Crown and Trade?  
Q. 5. If the Harbour of Dunkirk were finished, Whether Dunkirk in few years may not become London, and London Dunkirk, as Amsterdam is now become Antwerp, and Antwerp Dam, and all by the Command of the Lilo Fort, fixed upon the River Skeld, which hath so hindered Trade from Advancing to Antwerp, that at present Grass grows in four of five parts of that Exchange?  
Q. 6. If it be not convenient for all Merchant's Trading to Dunkirk, to Order all Masters of their Vessels to observe from time to time how this great Work Advances; and to take the depth of the New Harbour from one end to the other, and deliver it in Writing to ●●●ir Owners?  
Q. 7. Whether it be not the Interest of those in Authority, seriously to consider of this great Affair, and to use all means that may conduce to the Obviating of this great Work, before it be too late?  
Q. 8. Whether the Harbour of Dunkirk may be destroyed, and rendered useless before it be finished?   


When Lilo Fort upon the Skeld was made  
With speed from Antwerp then departed Trade,  
And Holland now that Fort doth still maintain,  
Which hath to Amsterdam increased much gain.   

Beware now London, ere it be too late,  
For fear lest thou dost taste of Antwerp's Fate.  
But use all means, with might and main,  
To keep the Seas for Merchants gain.    The Town and Citadel of Dunkirk, with the New Harbour for Ships and Castle in the Sea, was Surveyed the 23d of May Anno 1681. By ANDREW YARRANTON, Author of the First and Second Part of England's▪ Improvement by Sea and Land.