WILHELMSHAVEN

city and port, Lower Saxony Land (state), northwestern Germany, on the Jadebusen, a North Sea inlet on the coast of Ostfriesland (East Frisia). Founded in 1853 by Wilhelm I on land bought by Prussia from Oldenburg, it was given its present name in 1869. In 1937 it was united with Rstringen and returned to Oldenburg Land. As the principal naval base for the Prussian (later German) navy, it suffered heavy damage in World War II, and its naval installations were demolished or dismantled after 1945. A complete reorientation of its industry (formerly based on naval construction) followed. There is now an oil harbour connected by pipeline with Cologne, and industries include metalworking and the manufacture of machinery, equipment, and textiles. Wilhelmshaven is the site of the Max Planck Institute of Marine Biology, an ornithological station, a teachers' college, and institutes for geology, labour, politics, and economy. It is also a major tourist and health resort (mud baths). Pop. (1989 est.) 89,892.