History of the North Sea the North Sea though they saw little action. The Austro-Prussian War (1866) resulted in Prussia's gaining full control of the Kiel Canal, allowing their Baltic ports access to the North Sea. France declared war on Prussia 19 July 1870 which initiated the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871). The French Navy was, at the time far larger and superior to the North German Federal Navy, the Navy of the North German Confederation. Though the French did take a number of merchant ships bound to and from North Germany, shortages of manpower and coal, as well as conflicting orders, made the attempted blockade of
North Sea Canal in 1929 it was the largest canal lock in the world. Railway tunnels (with nearest train station on the south and north bank): Road tunnels, from east to west: The most western crossing is the road over the locks. The route depends on which of the locks is closed. Several ferries. In Amsterdam there are several across the IJ; at least one is frequent, operating 24 hours a day, free of charge. Bicyclists may only cross the canal at the locks or in the very south of Amsterdam or via ferries. Tunnels for bicyclists still do not exist. North Sea