Great Siege of Gibraltar
Part of the War of American Independence
The Defeat of the Floating Batteries at Gibraltar, September 1782, by John Singleton Copley
Date June 24, 1779 - February 7, 1783 Location Gibraltar Result Decisive British victory
Combatants
Kingdom of Great Britain	Spain  France
Commanders
George Augustus Eliott	Duc de Crillon
Strength
5,500 to 7,000 men; 96 guns	40,000 men; 246 guns
Casualties
333 killed 911 wounded 536 died from disease	5,000 killed, wounded, captured, and missing

The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the War of American Independence. The Defeat of the Floating Batteries at Gibraltar, September 1782 (also called The Siege of Gibraltar[1] or The Siege and Relief of Gibraltar) is the title of a 1783 oil-on-canvas painting by Boston-born American artist John Singleton Copley. ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen of her North American colonies. ... Image File history File links The_Siege_and_Relief_of_Gibraltar. ... The Defeat of the Floating Batteries at Gibraltar, September 1782 (also called The Siege of Gibraltar[1] or The Siege and Relief of Gibraltar) is the title of a 1783 oil-on-canvas painting by Boston-born American artist John Singleton Copley. ... Portrait of Copley by Gilbert Stuart. ... is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1779 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1783 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File links Union_flag_1606_(Kings_Colors). ... For an explanation of terms such as Scotland, Wales, England, (Great) Britain and United Kingdom, see British Isles (terminology). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... George Augustus Eliott, 1st Baron Heathfield (December 25, 1717-July 6, 1790) was born at Wells House, near Stobs Castle, Roxburghshire, the 7th son of Sir Gilbert Eliott, 3rd Baronet of Stobs, by Eleanor, daughter of William Elliot, of Wells, also in Roxburghshire. ... For other uses, see Artillery (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Artillery (disambiguation). ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen of her North American colonies. ...

Overview

In June of 1779, Spain declared war against Great Britain as France had done the year before.

The French and Spanish not only wished to retrieve lost territory from Britain but needed to secure Gibraltar, which was a key link in Britain's control of the sea.^[1] The fortress was besieged for nearly four years by the full naval and military strengths of the enemy.^[1] When the Rock was first besieged, the garrison consisted of 5,382 troops; General Elliot was the Governor-General, and his determined handling of the defence inspired all the troops under him with the greatest confidence.^[1] All the defences were strengthened, and many of the infantry, including picked men from the 39th Regiment, assisted the artillery in serving the guns.^[1]

In July military forces of both France and Spain laid siege to the British garrison at Gibraltar. The British forces, led by George Augustus Eliott, 1st Baron Heathfield, suffered bombardment and blockade for more than three years. The most horrific engagement of the siege took place on September 13, 1782 when a combined Franco-Spanish assault involving 100,000 men and 48 ships attacked the British. The garrison survived the assault. George Augustus Eliott, 1st Baron Heathfield (December 25, 1717-July 6, 1790) was born at Wells House, near Stobs Castle, Roxburghshire, the 7th son of Sir Gilbert Eliott, 3rd Baronet of Stobs, by Eleanor, daughter of William Elliot, of Wells, also in Roxburghshire. ... is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1782 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Finally, in February of 1783 the siege was lifted. George Augustus Eliott was awarded the Knight of the Bath and was created 1st Baron Heathfield of Gibraltar. The Treaties of Versailles reaffirmed previous treaties. Military Badge of the Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. ... Baron Heathfield, of Gibraltar, is an extinct title in the Peerage of Great Britain. ... Painting by Benjamin West depicting (from left to right) John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. ...

Great Siege Tunnels

General Elliot is said to have offered a reward to anyone who could tell him how to get guns onto a projection from the precipitous northern face of the Rock known as the 'Notch'.^[2]

Sergeant Major Ince, a member of the Company of Soldier Artificers, forerunners of the Royal Engineers, suggested that this could be done by tunnelling through the Rock.^[2] Permission was granted, and Ince started work under the direction of Lieutenant J Eveliegh, a Royal Engineer, Aide de Camp to the Governor, on May 25th, 1782.^[2]

The tunnellers relied on the strength of their arms, on their skills with a sledgehammer and a crowbar, and were also aided with gunpowder for blasting.^[2] In five weeks 18 men had driven a tunnel 8 square feet (2.4sq m) by 82 feet long (25 m) into the Rock.^[2]

Guns had been mounted here, and by the time the Siege ended, the tunnel was 370 feet (113 m) long and had four guns mounted in it.^[3] This first gallery was called 'Windsor Gallery'.^[3] Work continued on this cave and two other galleries called "King's And Queen's Lines" lower down the north face of the Rock were made.^[3] The tunnel was driven downwards and a large chamber opened under the 'Notch' called St George's Hall, where a battery of seven guns were installed.^[3] The Cornwallis Chamber was also excavated at this time.^[3]

The Sortie

The Sortie Made by the Garrison of Gibraltar, 1789
John Trumbull (1756–1843)
Oil on canvas; 71 x 107 in. (180.3 x 271.8 cm)

In the autumn of 1781, it became apparent that the joint Spanish-French forces were preparing far an all-out invasion.^[4] However, on November 27 General Elliot ordered a 'sortie' (a raiding party) to be sent out through Landport Gate under cover of darkness.^[4] It achieved total surprise and within the hour had smashed the forward defences, spiked the guns and detonated the explosive magazines of three batteries.^[4] With the night sky ablaze, the Governor suddenly appeared through the smoke on his horse to savour the success of his men.^[4] His men were inspired beyond call of duty - with one exception, the official leader of the 'sortie' Brigadier Ross who was somewhat miffed when he quickly realised the the Governor was stealing his thunder.^[4] The victory was over in one hour with the loss of five British lives.^[4] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Sortie Made by the Garrison of Gibraltar, 1789 (also called The Sortie made by the Garrison of Gibraltar in the Morning of the 27 of November 1781[1])is the title of a 1789 oil-on-canvas painting by American artist John Trumbull. ... This article is about the American painter. ... is the 331st day of the year (332nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Sortie is a term for deployment of one military aircraft or a ship for the purposes of a specific mission, whether alone, or with other aircraft or vessels. ... Flag of the Governor of Gibraltar The Governor of Gibraltar is the representative of the British monarch in the United Kingdoms overseas territory of Gibraltar. ...

See also

• List of American Revolutionary War battles
• List of sieges

This is a list of military actions in the American Revolutionary War. ... The 1453 Siege of Constantinople (painted 1499) A siege is a prolonged military assault and blockade on a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition. ...

Further reading

• Chartrand, René [July 2006]. Gibraltar 1779–1783: The Great Siege, Patrice Courcelle, 1st Edition (in English), Gibraltar: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781841769776. 

Notes

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 218th day of the year (219th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 218th day of the year (219th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

• Bond, Peter [2003]. "Gibraltar's Finest Hour The Great Siege 1779-1783", 300 Years of British Gibraltar 1704-2004, 1st Edition (in English), Gibraltar: Peter-Tan Publishing Co., pages 28-29.