Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-04-07
The Harbor of Havana-Moro Castle.

A illbuster having asked the editor of the New
Ysrk Mirror about the military defences of Havana
that paper replies as follows:
In reply to the above communication we will state
that the Moro has been taken, and could be again
very easily. With the appliances for assaultng ci-
tades that modern science has added to- the art OF
war, it would fall into enemys hands with trl-
fling loss TO the assailans, at least with such defend
ers as now garrison the fortress. Were Gen. Scott
to land a dozen regiments on the Island, few miles
to the eastward, the Moro Castle the Cabanas Fort,
and the City Of Havana, could be taken by regular
approaches with less difficulty than experienced
at Vera Cruz In order that our readers who have
not visited the g Queen of the Antilles may form
proper idea OF the city, harbor, and defences of Ha-
vana, we will attempt description from memory
The harbor is one of the best in the world being
deep enough for vessels of the largest Glass; and SUI
hcently capacous to accommodate a thousand ships.
The entrance is by channel three-quarters of a
mile long, but so narrow that only single vessel can
enter at once, and fortified through the whole dis
lance with platforms, works and artillery. The
mouth of this channel is secured by two strong
ties. That the eastern side called the Moro Cas-
tle-ls built in the form of triangle, fortified with
bastions. and mounted with forty pieces of common,
almost level with the water. On the opposite side Of
the channel is another strong fort. called the Punta
connected with the town, 10 the north. The city is
situated on the western side of the harbor, and is
surrounded by ramparts, bastlons and dltche Be-
sides these forcations it surmounted with works,
all OF lIleM IurnSneQ with even TO
sion. A square ctadel-El Fuerte-stands at the
northeast Of the town. This work, also, has
heavy cannon. and here the treasures of the govern
meht are deposited. 1t was at the foot of the hill
upon which this fort stands that poor Crlttenden and
his party shot and mutilated.
The Cabanas is a fort situated east Of the Mo-
ro, and directly opposite the city 1t is, perhaps the
largest as it certainly is of the strongest, for
fcations in the world. 1t is perfect Cretan labyr-
inth. as every one will remember who has wandered
through 1t, with or without guide. 1t was rebuilt
enlarged and strengthened after its restoration by the
British, at an expense enormous that when the cost
of its construction was ma! known to the King of
Spain, he honestly asked whether the walls were
made of silver. This fort commands the whole har-
Dor and city, and is hardly musket shot distance
from the Moro, with which believe il is connect
ed by subteTanean passage-though we are not
quite clear on this point.
In 762, during the war with Spain, the English
under Lord Albemare, laid siege 10 Havana, and took
it after desperate assault. On the 9th of June of
that year. the British squadron counting $50 vessels
OF all sizes, appeared off the coast The Spaniards
had large fleet of ships Of war in the harbor, had
mounted their fortresses with heavy guns, and made
all necessary warlke preparations. They had n the
forts and city, of regular troops and militia, 27,615
men under arms. The priests and were sent
out OF the city and vast preparations were made to
stand serge by laying in ample supplies of proyiS-
ions They sunk three ships in the harbor's mouth
TO prevent the entrance of The British fleet and their
fortresses were defended with great courage and
valor.
The British land forces numbered II 041 men of
all arms their loss very considerable both by
the climate and the desperate defence of the enemy
The Cabanas fell into the hands of the English,
who approached from the land side, having landed
the troops to the east side of Havana. But il was
not until "A days of unweared exeron, with loss
to the Spaniards of upwards of one thousand men,
that the Moro taken. With the Moro, 3O3
pieces of cannon, II mortars, and large supply of
small arms and ammunition, fell into the hands of
the English. Still, however, the Spanards braveIy
defended the city, but the English, who could
turn their own cannon against them demolished all
their fortihcatons aOd after some slight delay in ne
collation. the city of Havana was finally taken pos
session of.
1t was just two months and eight days from the
date of the arrival of the expedition to The day the
British took possession of the city. With the capital
there given up the whole territory annexed to II,
extending l8O miles westward so that this conquest
was the most decisive OF all that had taken place
throughout the of the It had besides all
the effect of naval victory. Nine ships of the line
fell into the hands of the conquerors three had been
sunk in the harbor; and two, far advanced the
stocks destroyed The loss the Spaniards in
ships of war, merchant ships, money, tobacco, and
other articles of value, estimated at g3 600, 900
sterling On the return of peace in 1853, Havana
restored to the Spaniards The keys of the city
formally delivered up 10 the COnde de Rcla, whom
the government had been conferred the 7th Of July
of that year. and the English garrison was embarked
for Europe.