The PeaceHavens Project Copyright 2022 © Ged Dodd  aka PeaceHavens Project  Click here for the terms of free copy & share & supporting your Project   https://www.facebook.com/groups/PeaceHavensProject/ ..   LINKS TO EVERYTHING ELSE   Russian Flax/Hemp Bale Seals   Kronshtadt was the Port for St Petersburg Kronstadt was founded by Peter the Great, whose Imperial Russian forces took the island of Kotlin from the Swedes during the Great Northern War in 1703. The first fortifications were inaugurated on 18 May 1704.

   There was a shallow 8' to 9' depth barrier on the Neva river up to St Petersburg so large vessels were loaded and unloaded at Kronstadt (St Petersburg Port) and then shipped up the river on a light draught barge. It is important to note that although the hemp seals have SPB on them this does not mean the seals were shipped from St Petersburg as the ports of Konigsberg, Kronstadt, Libnau, Memel, Narva, Pernau, Revel, Riga, Tilsit, Windau and St Petersburg all used SPB as an indication of a hemp seal before the year 1829. And they all used NP for flax.   Kronstadt also had its own seal with a crossed anchor and grappnel  which could well have been a Customs Tax or Military Seal for the Fortress but also indicated it was a sea and river port. The island city and naval base Kronstadt makes an interesting day trip from Saint Petersburg. It is home to an impressive but neglected Naval Cathedral and was closed to all foreign travellers until the late 90's.