Russia choose for Libau for establishing ice-free naval base according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1893-1894 no. 3

An item referred to the Allgemeine Mil. Zeitung no. 29 dated 1888 reported that the Russian cabinet finally decided that Libau [Liepaja, Latvia] was to be converted into a naval harbour. Costs 2 million rubles to be completed at the end of 1890. Two port heads expanding far into open sea. For years was discussed if Windau or Libau, both harbours in the Finnish Gulf and nearly always ice free, was to be chosen.