AN INTERVAL.
We read of no further attempt upon Gibraltar until 1720. At that time
the Spanish fortress of Ceuta, on the African coast, was beleaguered by
the Moors; and with the professed intention of relieving it, a large
armament was collected in Gibraltar Bay, under the Marquis de Leda. The
British Government, however, received information that the real object
of the expedition was the surprise of Gibraltar; and accordingly ordered
the governor of Minorca to embark immediately with a portion of his
troops and reinforce its garrison. On his arrival, he found that this
important post was defended by three battalions only; that the stores
contained provisions for scarcely fourteen days; and this with a strong
Spanish fleet in the Bay. He took such active measures, however, that
the Marquis de Leda was obliged to abandon all hopes of carrying the
Rock, and to sail for Ceuta.
Towards the end of 1726 the Spaniards assembled an army near Algesiras,
which, in the following January, they moved to the plain below San
Roque. Soon after this camp was formed, the Count de Los Torres, the
Spanish commander, advanced within reach of the garrison. Brigadier Kane
then despatched a message, desiring the count to retire from the range
of his guns, or he would do his utmost to force him. The count replied
that, as the garrison could command no more than they had power to
maintain, he should obey His Catholic Majesty’s orders, and push forward
as far as he was able. The English general was forced to bear with this
insolence, because war had not yet been formally declared between
England and Spain.
The situation was altered, however, when in February the Spaniards began
to erect batteries on the Neutral Ground. It was felt that this movement
was an open declaration of hostile intentions, and the English guns
began to fire on the Spanish workmen. Information having been received
that the enemy were constructing a mine, our engineers succeeded in
discovering the spot, and baffling their operations. On the morning of
the 22nd a sharp fire was opened on the garrison, and new batteries were
run up which commanded the Old Mole and the town. The besieged, however,
relaxed nothing in their efforts, and maintained the defence with
persistent vigour, though their ordnance, being old, were constantly
bursting, and inflicting almost as much injury on our own gunners as on
the enemy.
The English admirals, on the 2nd of April, resolved on bombarding
Algesiras, whence the Spaniards received their supplies of ammunition;
but the ships being becalmed, were compelled to drop anchor; after
which, says Drinkwater, the navy never gave themselves any further
concern about annoying them in that quarter. On the 16th, two sergeants,
with ten men each, were ordered to push along under the Rock, and alarm
the enemy in the trenches; the governor intending, when they were
sufficiently aroused, to rake them with discharges of grape. The
sergeants did their duty, and the enemy instantly beat to arms; but the
bombardier charged with the duty of signalling to the batteries fired
too soon, and the Spaniards, discovering the manœuvre, quickly retired
under cover.
Shortly afterwards news arrived of the conclusion of peace, and the
Spanish accordingly dismantled their works and retreated to their
different quarters.
The Rock now continued in the possession of the English for many years,
without any attempt being made to disturb them; and we may pass over
half a century in silence, taking up our record again in 1776, when the
Right Hon. General George Augustus Elliot was appointed Governor. His
name will long be remembered in connection with the famous siege of
1779.