Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-08-20

The Moniteur publishes in its third page which is
generally set apart for literary scientific Subjects
historical sketch of Cherbourg which is not without in
erest in present circumstances. The following is sum-
mary
Cherbourg, which occupies the public attention at
this moment is situated in the peninsula of Cotentin
the ancient Normandy, so called from Coutances its
capital The COtentin, which formed part Of the pos
sessions OF William the COnquerOr became English af
ter the battle of Hastings. Gerberat, Count of Cher
bourg distinguished himself in that battle and contrib
uted powerfully to the success of the ormans From
the death of William in 1857, until the middle of the
18th century, Cherbourg was frequently taken by the
French and retaken by the English It was finally ia
ken by Charles VII, the 18th August, 1850, after
siege OF 40 days. and has since ceased to belong
the French. Louis XIV finding that the French coast
the Channel to the extent Of 125 leagues was unpro-
yded with port OF refuge for ships of war; determined
to construct equal to Rocheort Toulon and ap-
pointed a committee to select point. The 18th of
April 1866, the committee reported that it would be
expedent to improve the port OF Cherbourg and
struct breakwater of 2400 yards in length. Vauban
consequently visited the coast of Cotenn at the COM
mand of Louis XIV. He recommended La Hogue as
the mcs advantageous stragetic point to construct
port for navy, but he admitted the merit of Cher
bourg and he prepared plan for its defence signed by
his hand which is still preserved at the Hotel de
Vile of that town.
Nothing more, however, done until the year
1889 when the commercial port formed the quays
built and two moes constructed at the entrance to the
canal. The Of 1744 interrupted the works. b
1853 Lord Howe landed at Cherbourg and did not quit
the town until he had caused considerable damage
Louis XIV revived the question in / 16 but Naubans
preference for La HOgue found many partisans who
would perhaps have triumphed had it been for NJ.
de Sartne then minister of marine The partisans of
Cherbourg found valuable ally in Colonel Dumouriez
commander of the town. who subsequently became
markabe during the republic and on the Sd OfJuy l79
royal OrdOnnance commanded the construction of the
IiOmmpt and Of no Thn of
Cheboug excited attention both in France and through
out Europe ard the king commissioned his brother the
Count Artois to visit them. That prince arrived at
Cherbourg the 22d of May, 1786, and expressed his
admiration OF all he At the end of three
days he left for Versailles and from the manner in
which he spoke of the works the king was nduc-
ed to visit the maritime establishment Louis
XVI. made his solemn entry into Cherbourg the
22d of June 1876, and left the 26th of the month
The king examined the works in the harbor, well as
the deences and the commercial port with great interest
During his stay at Cherbourg he well received by
the authorities and the pOpulatOn-his afabity his
simple manners and his solid information produced the
best effect The partisans of La HOgue however, re
manned frm and returned to the charge the year 795
But they experienced obstinate resistance note
lists which addressed to the king the 23d of March
1856, by M. Peyle lie Pelly in which the advan.
tages possessed by CherbOurg arc explained al
great length. Louis XVI would not abandon Cher
bOurg and he took the Warmcst interest in the works
until the conclusion of his power The plan was
carried out by subsequent governments. The nationa
assembly voted funds for the continuation of the works
i'll 1871, and again in 1892. From this period the
works of the breakwater have been continued without
| interruption The breadth of this stupendous work il
l40 yards The breakwater is not extended in straight
line 1t is composed of two branches of unequal length
which form angle 10 degrees ofwhch the opening
turned towards the south. A commission appointed b.
NJ Decres, minister of marine to Napoleon l. declared
the 10th April 1911 that there is anchorage in th
roads of Cherbourg for 20 ships Of the line in summe
and II In winter. The brcakWater at Cherbourg w1
commenced in the year 1888 and finished the 3lst De
cember 1853 The entire cost of the breakwat \
amounts to 61OOO000r, viz, 81 0000 00O from 763 tt
1903, 8000O0Of from 1903 to 1880 and 28,O0O OOOf
from 1880 to 1858. The annual expense Of keeping
the breakwater in repair is estimated at l2000O Th
breakwater which is 1872 metres long from one cIanne
to the other is defended by natural blocks of granite
The wearing Of those blocks requires annually 5000 cubic
yards of fresh blocks The points east and west arr
covered by artificial blocks composed of hydraulic
ment. Each of these blocks is 80 cubic metres in vel
ume and weighs $4,000 kiogrammes. Cherbourg
defended by fort constructed the island of Pelee
which was commenced in 1888 and finished in 1874
Fort Chavagnac Fort de Qucrquevie, Fort dcs Flam
ands, Fort du Hommet st. Annes battery The QUITE
port of Cherbourg inaugurated in the month 9
August lS13 in presence of the Empress Maria Louisa
The floating dock finished in 1929 The inne
floating dock, called the Dock of Napoleon III
, cost !6,OOO,OOOf"