El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-07-02

strong feet was on it's way to try and
| recspture the fortress. Under the
Count of Toulouse. the fleet wait
ed until the Dutch shirs left Gibraltar.
Toulouse had squadro that outrank-
ed that of Rookie, and the French and
Spanish sailed SO .shius to meet the
English. Seventeen great three-deck-
ers were IN the ,quadron, II frieates
and smaller vessels. When the look
outs cried the coming of the enemy
Rookie sailed out to meet them and
with the opposing squadrOps ranged
parallel the battle began. 1t was 10
O'Clock in the morning when the first
gun was fred. It was nightfall when
the last gun sent it's line of fire and
smoke out into the gathering darkness
Itwas q battle of guuners and the
English triumphed. A ball from Ad-
miral Rockies flagship penetrated the
French LIE Fier below the water line
and the threedecked ship. with her SO
guns firing from the porte, and her
sails set to the breeze. wavered and
plunged below and the Spanish turned
tail and fed.
Great Britain was slow to realize the
advantage gained over her contempt
raries in the capture of Gibraltar and
the work of improving the fortifica-
lions was left for future day, instead
of being begun at once Sir George
Rookie was recalled to England, the
garrison reduced to a minimum, while
Sir John Leake, one of the greatest of
Englsnd's generals of the sea, was put
in charge of the feet which was quar-
tered at Lisbon. Spain still felt the
loss of her stronghold and there was
plotting to recover It. Sir John Leake
at last received world that Spanish
and French fleet was on its way to
storm Gibraltar and he left for Gibral-
tar at once. The magnificent squad
ron of the ellins frightened him and
when he sighted it he at once returned
blockaded the sea entrance TO the
Mediterranean, ID ships form
1 Under De Poin nse 5000 Sq Spanish
soldiers kept out communications from
the mainland, and the garrison was
starving. Leake REINFORCED his fleet,
advanced on the enemy and took four
frigates, and three smaller vessels and
once more England was victorious. So
Gibraltar remained undisturbed for a.
long period until the belligerent Spain
again thirsted for fight and declared
war on England in 1779, only ITO years
gone by. Again the Spanish fleet stood
before the mighty fortress and laid
siege to the place, and again famine
and want ruled on the great rock.
WithGreat Britain's dislike for q de-
lay policy fleet was sent to relieve
her beleaguered soldiers. Is merchant
vessels carrying supplies under protec-
tion of Sir George Rodney's seven war
ships.
The Spanish fleet prevented land
ing and Admiral Howe joined the En-
Rlish fleet and again the waters of the |
Strait of Gibraltar saw q great fleet, |
such as could not be modified today
by any nation. Thirty sail of the line |
had the English Admiral, beautiful |
vessels of war, carrying great wings Of
canvas. Forty-two ves-
sells were there for Spain, equally for
as those of the English. |
Spain's warship San Trinidad was the |
largest vessel in the world. Her great |
sides rose from the water and from her |
129 portfolios cleaned the muzzles of
as many heavy guns. Five of the fleet |
carried ITO gums. and the IA ships |
as they met were q sight that made |