After Spain lost the Battle of Gibraltar in 1704, the port became part of Britain. In 1713, Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht was created to officially terminate any right Spain had for the city of Gibraltar. Once the agreement was completed Britain took full control of and possession of the port. The acquisition of Gibraltar was a tremendous victory for the British at the time allowing them to send ships from London to the Mediterranean cities. The port was seen as the doors that connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. It was a great innovation, that allowed Britain to expand its trade. As a result, Queen Anne made the Port of Gibraltar a Free Port in February 1706; this simple decision had a major economic impact on the community. The act allowed any international vessels to trade without the need to pay any type of compensation tax. Trade was allowed without taxes allowing ships from North Africa, Turkey, Italy and any other nationality to trade their goods freely, making Gibraltar one of the most important ports in Europe, vessels from all over the world came to trade their goods.