The Wilmingtonian., 1824-05-13
ALGIERS.

lie tOWn ltSeii 10 uul llttlP tI1UTc I1dU
half mile square-the inhabitants about
one hundred and twenty thousand--sur-
rounded by Notifications on Vauban's plan
of fort. The square covered by fortiti-
cations is not equal to mile. The face Of
the wall fronting the sea, equal to three
quarters of a mile; the sides projecting to
the country, the same but the face to-
wards the country about half mile; at
each Of the four corners a circular bastion,
projecting far enough to command the
face of small square batteries issuing from
ehe curtain. The town is built along the
sinuous part of bay. or casual indenting
of the coast, not running deep enough into
the land to afford shelter; the shore fiat,
and the water too shallow to serve for an
chorage. The port is in the centre Of the
wall towards the sea; its construction is
altogether artificial; an immense strong
wall is thrown out about SOC yards: at 600
yards distance further eastward mole
. 100 -ysrds long is thrown out: the wall
which is of extraordinary strength and
width, is continued eastward, and bend
ing inwards by two angles towards the
mole, leaves an entrance ofabout $50 yards
to an irregular shaped basin. inclosing an
area Of about 10 acres. The pier or wall
that embrace and forms the basin or port
il of the most massive construction, and
its extensive fortiicatons, rising in tiers
like the sides of ship present the most
formidable offensive works to an assaline
enemy. The walls are covered with guns
and the coast, right and left of the town
covered with batteries, as well to protec
it against landing as to flank and gal
an attack on the front of the place by sea
There are also many advanced works o
irregular construction, and citadel in tn
S. f. angle of the city. occupying one o
the corner bastions.
Al the formidable attempt made b
Charles the Fifth with fleet of 100 ship.
90 gallies and an army of50,O00 men, aid
ed by the Knights Of Malta, he was ena
bled by means Of the salies, to land hi
army, and material, not withstanding tn
Aatness of the shore, but the natural con
sequence Of lying on such coast was, tina
the first heavy gale of wind drove off til
fleet, the whole Of which, in half an hou
were dispersed, and in the extremity {
danger Except the Maltese, who by the
superior skill and equipment maintaine
their position on the coast, to the admir-;
tion of the terrified army on shore, to whol
they presented solitary, but slight pro
pect of salvation from the enemy J !
galies and sc ships Of the Emperor Il
tally perished; the loss ofmen consegueY
on the embarkation, under such circun
stances was immense. Although the Ma
tese contributed the most extensive c
operation in their navy. emily 400 Knight
each attended by two gentleman at arm
were permitted to serve in the arm
These Knights in the spirit of chivalro
salIantry to render themselves conspic
Gus, wore over their armour surtout
crimson velvet, with the star of their ord
emblazoned in white on the front of III
breast, and served as the rear guard, CO
ering the whole of the embarkation
ing themselves the last who went
board.
On one occasion, very formidal
sortie being made by the Algerines, a lal
body of troops were cut of, but the M
tese, rallying some detachments, rapuls
the enemy so vigorously, that the G.
velier Sevignan standard bearer of
order, struck his poignard into the s
Of the city, and left it there as mem
to.
In 1901, the spaniards made anot
attack on Algiers, which was suppose
fortunate expedition, because they ca
off without loss; but they effected nc
ing:
In 1902, an English squadron, Nd