Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-08-18
THE GAZETTE.
Wednesday MORNING, Auausr is, 1858.
THE GREAT WORKS AT CHERBoURG.
The Paris Moniteur publishes historical

THE GREAT WOKhS Al ohhhooohu.
The Paris Moniteur publishes historical
skstch Of Cherbourg, Of which the following
il q summary:
Cherbourg, which occupies public atten-
ton at this moment, 10 situated 10 the pen
insula of Cotentin, the ancient Lower Nor
mandy, 90 called from Coutances, its capital.
The Cotentin. which formed part OF the
possessions Of William the Conquercr, be-
came English after tho battle of Hastings.
Gsrbera., Cont Of Cberbourg, distinguished
himself in that battle, aud contributed pow
erfully to the success Of the Normans.-
From the death Of William 10 1887, until the
middle Of the fifteenth century, Cherbourg
was frequently taken by the French and re-
taken BY the English. twas finally taken
BY Charles VII, the l2:h of August l4oo'
after seige of forty days, and has never
since ceased to belong to France. Louis NV
finding that the French coast on the channel
TO the extent Of l25 leagues, was unprovided
with port of refuge for ships-of-war, deter
mined to construct ono equal 10 Rochtort or
Toulon, and appointed o committee to select
q point. The 18th Of April, 1865, the COM
mittee reported that it would be expedient to
improve the port Of Cherbourg, add to con
stract o breakwa.er of 2, 400 yards in length:
Vsuban subseq emily visited the coast OF
Cotentin, at the command Of Louis NV. Lie
recommended La Hogue as the most adVan-
tsgsous strategic point to construct port ior
Q war navy, but he admitted the merit OF
Cherbourg. and no prepared plan for Its de,
fence signed by bis own hand, which IS still
preserved at the Hotel de Vile of that town
Nothing more, however, was done until the
year 1879, when the commercial port was
formed, the quays built, and two moles
constructed at the entrance to the canal.
Tbs war of 1744 interrupted the works.
In 1853 Lord Howe landed at Cherbourg,
and did not quit the town until he had
caused considerable damage. Louis AFlre-
vived the question in l776, but Vauban's pre-
ference for La Hogue found many partisans,
who would perhaps have triunphed bad 1t
not been for Nj. de Sartine then Minister OF
Marine. The partisans Of Cherbourg found
q valuable ally in Col. Dumouriez, comman-
der of the town, who subsequently became so
remark able during the republic, aud on the 80
of July, l779, q royal ordinance commanded
the constr uction of the forts Hommet and OF
the island Pelee.
The works of Cherbourg excited attention
both in France and throughout Europe, and
the King commissioned his brother, the
Count d'Artois, to visit them. That Prince
arrived at Cher bourg the I'D of May, 1855,
and expressed bis admiration of all he saw.
At the end Of three days he left for Versailles
and from the manner in which be spoke OF
the works the King was induced to visit the
new maritime establishment. Louis AFI
made his solemn entry into Cherbourg the
ed of June, 1856, aud left the 10Th OF the
same month. The King examined the works
10 the harbor, as we'll as the defeDces aud the
commercial port, with great interest. Du'
ring bis stay at Cherbourg be was we'll re-
csivsd by the authorities and by the popula'
tion-.his sffability. his simple manners, and
his solid information produced the best ct,
feet. The partissns Of La Hogue, however,
remained firm, and returned to the charge in
the year l785. But they experienced an OF
stinatS resistance. A note exists which was
addressed to the King, the 23d Of March,
1876, by M. Pleville le Pelley, in which the
advantages possessed by Cherbourg are ex-
planned at great length. Louis XVI. would
not abandon Cherbourg, and be took the
warmost interest in the works until the con-
clusion Of bis power.
The plan was carried out by subsequent
governments. The national assembly voted
funds for the continuation Of the works in
1871, and again in 1872. From this period
the works of the breakwater have been con-
tinued without interruption. The breadth
of this stupsndous work is lao yards. The
brsakwater is not extended in straight line.
II u composed Of two branches Of unequal
length. whiah form an angle of ITO degrees,
Of which the opening is turned towards the
soath. A commission appointed by NJ. Da-
ores, Minister of Marine to Napoleon !, de-
elsfed on the Goth Of April, 1911, that there
il anchorage in the roads of Cberbcurg tor
25 ships-of-the-liue in summer and II in win
ter. 90 .t'.
The inscription commemorative Of the
opening of the works and the inauguration
Of the Cherbourg basin 10 engraved on Q
plate upwards of half q too weight. and
measuripg nearly seven feet in length, by
nearly four in breadth. The inscription is
% follows:
"This basin, decreed on the 18th Of April,
1903, BY Napoleon, was begun 90 the 18th OF
June, 1886, and was inaugurated on the 9TH
of August, 1858, in presence of their Males
ties Emperor Napoleon III and the Empress
Eusenie, bis exeellepcy Admiral Hamelin
being Minister of Marine"
CITY TAX PAYERS are notified that they
~ can save four per cent by paying their tax
hills in full on or before the 10th OF August