Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-03-22
GIBRALTAR'S GREAT ROCK.
1T is The MiGHTlEST FoRTlFlCA-
TON IN The WORLD.

How the Rock Appears-It is Brist-
ling with Cannon Everywhere-The
Great Siege Of a Century Ago.
Gibraltar, impressive as it is in situa-
tion, is still more so when one wan
ders about among the various batteries.
and wonders how ingenious man Is NJ in
venting methods Of destroying his fell
low-man.
As rode through the streets of Gil
braltar and the great rock csme intoview
il wss natural 20 contrast the present
with the past. There is a legend that
the Romans, believing this to be the end
OF the land, wrote above this rock the
words, No more beyond"
They called this rock and the one OPP
posite on the African shore the Gates Of
Hercules, created by him to mark the
boundaries of the world. Beyond here
they in their superstition thought that
a mighty hand would reach out and draw
the too-venturesome mariner beneath
the waves. So the ancients did not ven
ture far into the Atlantic, and it has been
only about four centuries since anyone
was found bold enough to break away
from the superstition.
Gibraltar, approached from the Allan
tic, appears like a huge rock or mass OF
rocks rising directly from the water. 1t
is only on a very near approach that the
connection with the mainland is seen at
all. AT some distance two or three
ridges are distinguishable, which have
been likened to a mighty sphynx. BY
giving the Imagination full play such an
appearance might be recognized. On
clear day this looks like a very narrow
passage. The Glib on the Spanish side
and the African coast seem but little
distance apart. The real measurement
is about fifteen miles, but at times APP
pears scarcely more than a third that
distance. Anyone acquainted with the
sea will know how deceiving distances
are with water intervening.
This rock, apparently so harmless and
unimportant, has been the scene OF many
stirring actions. For the sake Of this
lonely looking, precipitous elevation
Thousands OF lives have been sacrificed
and millions OF hard-earn money
poured forth.
Gibraltar has stood no less than dozen
ieges. The greatest, however, was about
hundred years ago by the combined
French and Spanish forces. Determined
by one last great effort TO expel the blue
eyed son OF fog and rain, the Govern
ments offered prize for the most feasible
plan OF attack. Finally, floating bat
teries were constructed and armed with
mortars Then followed a siege OF four
years-terrible years they must have been
for the besieged. Their houses were de-
stroved and they were obliged to resort
to the caves in large numbers. Several
times they were almost starved before
achievements reached them. At last the
English destroyed the floating batteries
by firing red-hot shot, which was then a
great feat. The attacking army was
composed Of over GO. 600 men, while the
garrison contained only 5000 men. This,
however, settled England's claim, which
has never since been disputed.
Gibraltar is undoubtedly one OF the
greatest Notifications in the world, If
not the greatest. By nature it is almost
impregnable. In addition, everything
that can be done to increase its strength
is added. A walk over the Island reveals
Notifications bristling with cannon
everywhere.
The rock extends out from the main
land about three miles, and varies in
width from a quarter to three quarters
OF a mile. 1t is connected with the main
land by strip of land a half mile in
width This strip is just few feet above
the level of the sea. In place of being an
unfsyorable feature this is an advantage.
There would lie absolutely no protection
to en- attacking army.
Next this bit of land the crock" rises
almost perpendicularly for / 400 feet. On
the east and south side it is almost
equally preoipitous. On the west side
the slope is more gradual than the
others, and here the town is located. On
the slopes OF the hill for a quarter of a
mile from the sea lies dense mass of
houses, excepting in one part where
there is a tastefully- laid-out recreation
ground.
The wonderful and uncommon feature
about the Gibraltar Notifications are the
galleries or tunnels in the rocks. These
extend in several tiers, one above an
other, on the side facing the land. Sc
cured permit from the commanding
officer and made a tour of them.
The galleries are Lewn out Of the solid
rock, a great part OF the work having
been done by convicts. They are con-
structed on the side facing the Spanish
frontier. The work done is something
marvellous in the way of defenses. At
intervals in the tunnels an opening is
made for the mouth of cannon. land
attacking army would meet with quick
anu decisive fate from these arrays OF
guns, and could inf ct little harm in re-
turn. Here the gunners could work al
me entirely concealed from danger.
They would be at a height OF several
hundred feet, and the openings are very
mall. Besides, there would be perfectly
safe storages Tor any amount of ammuni-
tion.
This possession of England has proven
a most expensive one for the country.
Several good-sized fortunes have been
expended in fortifying and defending
this small bit Of territory containing
less than three square miles Of surface.
The annual outlay is something like
million dollars from the treasury in inn
provements alone, exclusive OF materials.
A garrison Of 5000 men is kept in the
barracks continually. There are four
regiments of infantry and the rest are
artillery, with very few cavalry. Over