r FLUSHING, a fortified seaport town of Holland, province of Zeeland, on the island of Walcheren, at the mouth of the estuary of the Western Scheldt, the passage of which it defends. It is strongly fortified, and is one of the chief naval stations of the kingdom, having a harbour capable of accommodating 80 ships of war. It is also the seat of an admiralty board, and has a naval arsenal, docks, wharves, &c. Two large and deep canals enable merchant vessels of the largest size to enter the town, and load or unload their cargoes at the quays. It carries on an extensive trade with the other seaport towns of Holland, as well as with the E. and W. Indies, &c. The town is well built, but contains no buildings worthy of special notice. Flushing was bombarded and taken by the English under Lord Chatham in 1809, when the fine town-hall, two churches, and about 100 houses were destroyed. Since that time its fortifications have been very much strengthened. It is the birthplace of the Dutch admiral De Ruyter. Pop. (1856) 10,963.