The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-04-30
The Fortress OF Gibraltar.

Much has been written and said relative to this
impregnable point, by historians Of the past and
authors of tke present day. The editor OF the
Rochester Advertiser-who visited that place 2
few months snce-in speaking of an erroneous
impression, given credence to by the washington
Republic, that the entrance TO tho Mediterranean
is commanded by Great Britain, and that no ship,
heather christian, can enter or depart from the
sea without passing under her batteries and asking
her permission-says it is difficult to see how the
Fortress of Gibraltar can command the entrance
to the Mediterranean when the straits opposite the
Fortress are at least tsenty miles wide. 1t can
not be denied that Gibraltar is immensely strong
point, and as nearly impregnsble as any position
can well be made, with the works Of nature and
art combined. He says:
"While on q visit to that place, few months
since, we took occasion to examine heforti6cations
and internal arrangements of the garrison some
what minutely. We traversed the subterranean
galleries, caverns, cut through the solid rock,
and pierced with cannon, some turned upon the
sea, some upon the adjacent land, some pointing
horizontally, and some with their muzzes let down
almost perpendicuarly toward the base Of the tow
ering rock, within whose bowels they are en-
trenched; some OF these guns are Of immense cal
ibre, but not quite powerful enough TO command
reach of twenty miles. There is much to admire
in the exact discipline and fine appearance OF all
the appointments and arrangements Of this mighty
Fortress Every thing is done with precise and
exact regard to the most rigid rules OF military dis
cipline. There are, we believe about twelve hun
dred pieces Of cannon mounted. Near every one
of these are kept several rounds Of ammunition,
pyramids of ball, etc., with magazines hard by,
containing larger supplies-and lighted torches
kept burning night and day, ready for use, at a
moments warning.
Z" The Garrison does not usually contain more
than about 5000 soldiers. 1t 10 the intention to
keep FIVE six years stock of provisions constantly
on hand, to guard against sudden surprise or
'iege. The town of Gibraltar, built upon the
western slope Of the Rock, embraces some twelve
or fifteen thousand inhabitants many of them Eng.
lish and Spanish, with sprinkiing from every ma
tion of the globe. The natives Of the place are
called Rock Scorpions and if the stranger gets
away from their town, without experiencing some
singing evidences of the appropriateness Of such a
cognomen, he may consider himself quite fOftu.
nate. There are, however. some excepons-you
will find here some as noble specimens of mankind
as can be found any where else." r-
Gibraltar is free port, but has no very extensive
commerce. 1t is great smuggling depot, and is
used principally for that purpose The citizens OF
the place furnishing support to the most notorious
Of Spanish contrabandistas. The very Garrison,
when pursued, they Immediately hurry into the
harbor, and under the cover Of British guns, are
thus rendered secure. This il a specimen of Eng.
lands boasted justice and uperorty-proiectng
outlaws from the punishment that they deserve.
Speaking of the power Of England to command
about twelve miles wide at the narrowest place
Opposite Tarfa,) and as they approach the Medi-
terranean they widen out, that at the entrance
OF that sea, where stands the fortress of Gibraltar
as we have before stated, the breadth is abou
twenty miles. The shores of the Morocco Coast
opposite, bold and clear of obstructions SO thai
vessels can sail along, greater part Of the way
within musket-shot distance, without danger o
| shoal water or rocks. We have o,rself, in pass
ing from Iangisr to Ceuta, "a Spanish fortress on
the Moorish Coast, opposite Gibraltar) sailet
almost within stones throw Of the bluff and rocky
shore. fleet composed Of all the line-of-battle
ships afioat could easily, therefore, pass out or i,
| through the Straits, without passing under tn
batteries of Gibraltar, asking her leave
| The boast, therefore, that Great Britain com
| mands the entrance to the Mediterranean, is lk
many other of her bombastic claims-all moon
shine. Ii is true she has the best the largest ant
the safest harbor within the Straits, its vicinity
1t is only in this particular and account of tn,
fine school for military discipline afforded by Glib
raltar, that it can, view, be Of any conceiva
| bic use to the British Government And for these
purposes, even, like too many OF the British pos
sessions, it costs vastly more than it comes to.
6 1t il said that Napoleon, while carrying hi
conquests through Spain, was solicited to besieg
Gibraltar; but although he had no doubt of bein,
able to subdus it, he did not consider the gam,
| worth the candle.'
| sit would, al this day, be very difficult, if no
impossible, to take Gibraltar by storm or by siege
OF by assault of any description. 1t could only b.
done, in our opinion, by stratagem, or by Treason
| within. And that, even, would be no easy matter
with the vigant safeguards constantly kept up.
But who wonld ever wish to take that Rock
Fortress! What is it good for Whom does
| harm 1t Injuries no one half SO much as tn
power that possesses it, and has to bear the enor
nous expense which is required to keep it up"