The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-19
THE GREAT WORKS AT CHERB0URG


The Paris Moniteur publishes historical sketch
of Cherbourg, of which the following is a summa-
ry:-
Cherbourg, which occupies public attention at
this moment is situated in the peninsula of Gotten
tin, the ancient Lower Normandy, so called from
Coutances, its capital. The Cotentin, which form
ed part of the possessions of William the Con
queror, became English after the battle of Hastings
Gerberat, Count of Cherbourg, distinguished him
self in that battle, and contributed powerfully to
the success of the Normans. From the death of
William in 1887, until the middle of the fifteenth
century, Cherbourg was frequently taken by the
French and retaken by the English 1t was finally
taken by Charles VII the 18th of August 1850. al
ter siege of forty days, and has never since ceased
to belong to France. Louis XIV, finding that the
French coast on the channel, to the extent of l25
leagues was unprovided with port of refuge for
ships of war; determined to construct one equal to
Rochfort or Toulon, and appointed a committee to
select point. The 18th of April, 1865, the COM
mittee reported that it would be expedient to i'm
prove the port of Cherbourg, and to construct a
breakwater of 400 yards in length.
Vauban subsequently visited the coast of Gotten
tin, at the command of Louis NV. He recommend
| ed La Hogue as the most advantageous strategic
point to construct port for war navy but he ad-
mitted the merit of Cherbourg, and he prepared a
plan for its defence signed by his own hand, which
is still preserved at the Hotel de Vile of that town.
| Nothing more, however, was done until the year
| 1859, when the commercial port formed, the
quays built, and two moles constructed at the en-
trance to the canal. The war of l744 interrupted
| the works In 175S Lord Howe landed at Cher
| bourg, and did not quit the town until he had
! caused considerable damage. Louis WI revived
! the question in l776 but Vauban's preference for
| La Hogue found many partisans, who would per-
haps have triumphed had it not been for NJ. de
| Sartine, then Minister of Marine The partisans OF
| Cherbourg found valuable ally in Col. Dumouriez
commander of the town, who subsequently, became
so remarkable during the republic, and on the Sd OF
| July, 1879, royal ordinance commanded the con-
struction 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. The Prince arrived at Cherbourg the
22d of May, 1856, and expressed his admiration Of
all he saw. At the end of three days helett fol-
Versailles, and from the manner in which he spoke
of the works the King induced to visit the new
| maritime establishment. Louis WI made his so
lemn entry into Cherbourg the 22d June, 1855, and
| left the 26th of the same month. The King ex-
amned the works in the harbor, as well as the de-
fences and the commercial port, with great in
| terest During his stay at Cherbourg he was well
received by the authorities and by the population
his affabty, his simple manners and his solid in
formation produced the best effect The partisan:
of La Hogue, however, remained firm, and re
| turned to the charge in the year 1855. But they
expe. fenced an obstinate resistance. note exist:
which addressed to the King the 23d of March
l7s6, by NJ. Plcville de Policy, in which the ad
vantages pressed by Cherbourg are explained al
great length. Louis XVI would not abandon
Cherbourg, and he took the warmest interest in the
works until the conclusion of his power.
| The plan was carried out by subsequent govern.
ments. The national assembly voted funds for the
| continuation of the works in 1871, and again in
1892 From this period the works of the break
water have been continued without interruption
The breadth of this stupendous work is 40 yards
The breakwater is not extended in a straight line
1t is composed of two branches of unequal length
which form angle of ITO degrees, of which the
opening is turned towards the south. commits
sion appointed by NJ Decres, Minister of Marine tc
Napoleon l. declared on the Goth of April, 1911,
that there is anchorage in the roads of Cherbourg
for twenty-five ships of the line in summer and sew
enteen in winter.
! The inscription commemorative of the opening Of
| the works and Inauguration of the Cherbourg ba
sin is engraved on plate upwards of half tor
weight, and measuring nearly seven feet in length
| by nearly four in breadth. The inscription is a:
| follows :-"This basin, decreed on the 18th o.
April, 1903, by Napoleon, was begun on the 2Stt
of June, 1886, and was inaugurated on the 18th O
August, 1858, in presence of their Majesties Empe
ror Napoleon LII and the Empress Eugene, his ex
cellency Admiral Hamelin being Minister of Ma
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