THE CAPTURE OF GIBRLTAR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 113, 26 November 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CAPTURE OF GIBRLTAR.

In the year 1704, when the war ot the Spanish Succession, destined to be made so glorious for England by the victories of Marlborough, was still in its early stages, M ,r George llooke was given the command of a naval expedition which was to leave a lasting monument of its success in history. Its commencement, indeed, did not augur well, the attempt on Barcelona proving ineffectual; but, foiled there, Rooke made a sudden successful spring at Gibraltar, disembarking some ot his troops on the narrow link of land whicji connects the Rock and the fortress with the inhabited shore. The attack was a surprise. It was a saint's day, August 3, 1704, and many of the defenders had gone to attend religious services some little distance off. A body of English sailors accomplished the remarkable feat of clambering by a path (which to observe from a distance might have seemed beyond even the agility of a goat) to the very top of the Rock, and there they hoisted the English flag. The few defenaers of tho garrison who had been left ou guard had no course but to capitulate, and the fortress of Gibraltar thus suddenly and dramatically became- part of the dominions of Great Britain. More than one attempt to regain it has been made since, the first in the following year, when the combined forces oi France and Spain failed with heavy loss, and the most memorable from 1779 to 1783, when George Elliott, afterwards Lord Heathfield, held out triumphantly against the same allies. But though occasionally responsible politicians have p.oposed and irresponsible busybodies have chattered lightly of restoring it, Gibraltar still remains the greatest and important oi British naval bases, and we hope it alwavs will.