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Foreign News
December 7, 1782
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Governor Elliott's letter from Gibraltar, dated September 12, 1782, details the successful British defense against a major Spanish assault using floating batteries on the night of the 24th, repelling the attack with minimal losses while inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.
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Full Text
From Rivington's New York Royal Gazette, November 20.
The following is copied from a hand bill printed at Cork, and brought by the vessel from thence which arrived on Monday night.
A GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, printed at Cork, containing an account of the siege of Gibraltar.
Admiralty Office. Sept. 19, 1782.
Extract of a letter from Governor Elliott to Secretary Stevens, dated Sept. 12, 1782.
I HAVE taken an opportunity of sending this by Mr. Frazier, master of the Speedwell cutter, who is to sail to-morrow for England, with the subsequent account of our success against the Spaniards, in their so much boasted attack with their floating batteries. I am in hopes he will get off safe, as the Spaniards, sickened by their late attempt, seem to have drawn off their cruisers, as despairing of success.
This has been one of the most tremendous scenes I ever was engaged in, and words fall short of giving you an idea of an action so furious and dreadful: however, I shall attempt to relate some of the particulars.
As it was always my opinion, that we should be attacked by their whole force on St. Louis's day, I made every necessary preparation to receive them: on the evening of the 24th I ordered several light boats to sail forward and backward, to observe their motions, and bring intelligence if they saw any thing of the Spaniards; in the mean time a floating battery, in form of a half moon, constructed under my direction, was towed off from the shore about 400 yards, and there securely anchored: twelve gun boats were also formed in two divisions on the right and left of this battery, and two batteries on a point of land, the one of 36 guns, the other of 24, swept the bay in an oblique direction, and four bomb batteries of six mortars each; these were all the extra preparations.
About half after one in the morning, I had notice of their approach, but very slowly, as their batteries were built in such a manner as required much labour to bring them on, and by the noise we heard, we imagined their passage was attended with great difficulty; they were towed by a vast number of boats and lighters, and seeming at times in great confusion. By the accounts which were brought in, I thought it would be of great service to disturb the Spaniards in their passage, and ordered the gun boats to quit their present station, and advance and form a line about a mile a head of the battery, and by a constant fire strive to put the Spaniards into greater confusion. This manoeuvre had the desired effect: the Spaniards busy in bringing forward their unwieldy batteries, which moved very slow, had not time to observe the approach of our boats, and thought themselves in perfect security, until they were attacked with vast showers of grape shot and pieces of old iron which flew as thick as hail, and did incredible mischief amongst them, for now boat was dashed against boat, and many went to the bottom.
It was now about 3 o'clock in the morning, when, by the light of the moon, they were seen about a mile distance from our battery.
Not thinking it proper to give them time to anchor, I made a signal for our battery to begin. Nothing can equal the consternation of the Spaniards, as I have since been told by some of the prisoners (for we have a great many whom we have saved from drowning) than this second unexpected attack, which was repeated from every quarter in destructive showers of bombs and balls, and which undoubtedly did great execution among them: however under these disadvantages, they brought some of their batteries to bear, and a most furious cannonade commenced. The Spaniards, on the land side, hearing the action was begun, plied a most tremendous and amazing fire, which we sustained for near an hour without any return: but as soon as day light appeared, a signal was made from Watson's battery for every gun in the whole line, that could be brought to bear, to begin. But oh! how shall I paint to you the horrid scene! you would have thought all hell was broke loose, and that this world was going to be crushed to atoms; the eminence on which I stood, shook, or seemed to shake, as if it were convulsed, or shook by a mighty earthquake.
In this manner did it continue until 11 o'clock in the forenoon, when four of their batteries were rendered useless, and two more were quite deserted, which were taken possession of by our people: the remainder were towed off with difficulty, supported by their gun boats: and I am greatly mistaken in my conjectures, if ever they pay us another visit. Our success on the land side was no less promising, for one of their advanced works taking fire burst with great fury: two magazines of powder blew up, and did incredible damage: and the whole firing ceased before sunset. Our loss has been very inconsiderable, not exceeding 130 killed and wounded, and many of them slightly. Their's most exceed some thousands, as many were blown up, and vast numbers were drowned. Thus in about 9 hours hard work, ceased this mighty boasting of our enemies in a total confusion and dismay: and it will surely appear astonishing to future ages, that this little rock, with 7000 men, baffled the united efforts of France and Spain; however we remain on our guard, expecting them to make another trial: At present all is quiet, and we trust the Spaniards, tired out with their fruitless endeavours, will at length abandon the project of starving us out.
A reasonable supply at present will be of great service, as we are in want of many necessaries:
ELLIOT.
The following is copied from a hand bill printed at Cork, and brought by the vessel from thence which arrived on Monday night.
A GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, printed at Cork, containing an account of the siege of Gibraltar.
Admiralty Office. Sept. 19, 1782.
Extract of a letter from Governor Elliott to Secretary Stevens, dated Sept. 12, 1782.
I HAVE taken an opportunity of sending this by Mr. Frazier, master of the Speedwell cutter, who is to sail to-morrow for England, with the subsequent account of our success against the Spaniards, in their so much boasted attack with their floating batteries. I am in hopes he will get off safe, as the Spaniards, sickened by their late attempt, seem to have drawn off their cruisers, as despairing of success.
This has been one of the most tremendous scenes I ever was engaged in, and words fall short of giving you an idea of an action so furious and dreadful: however, I shall attempt to relate some of the particulars.
As it was always my opinion, that we should be attacked by their whole force on St. Louis's day, I made every necessary preparation to receive them: on the evening of the 24th I ordered several light boats to sail forward and backward, to observe their motions, and bring intelligence if they saw any thing of the Spaniards; in the mean time a floating battery, in form of a half moon, constructed under my direction, was towed off from the shore about 400 yards, and there securely anchored: twelve gun boats were also formed in two divisions on the right and left of this battery, and two batteries on a point of land, the one of 36 guns, the other of 24, swept the bay in an oblique direction, and four bomb batteries of six mortars each; these were all the extra preparations.
About half after one in the morning, I had notice of their approach, but very slowly, as their batteries were built in such a manner as required much labour to bring them on, and by the noise we heard, we imagined their passage was attended with great difficulty; they were towed by a vast number of boats and lighters, and seeming at times in great confusion. By the accounts which were brought in, I thought it would be of great service to disturb the Spaniards in their passage, and ordered the gun boats to quit their present station, and advance and form a line about a mile a head of the battery, and by a constant fire strive to put the Spaniards into greater confusion. This manoeuvre had the desired effect: the Spaniards busy in bringing forward their unwieldy batteries, which moved very slow, had not time to observe the approach of our boats, and thought themselves in perfect security, until they were attacked with vast showers of grape shot and pieces of old iron which flew as thick as hail, and did incredible mischief amongst them, for now boat was dashed against boat, and many went to the bottom.
It was now about 3 o'clock in the morning, when, by the light of the moon, they were seen about a mile distance from our battery.
Not thinking it proper to give them time to anchor, I made a signal for our battery to begin. Nothing can equal the consternation of the Spaniards, as I have since been told by some of the prisoners (for we have a great many whom we have saved from drowning) than this second unexpected attack, which was repeated from every quarter in destructive showers of bombs and balls, and which undoubtedly did great execution among them: however under these disadvantages, they brought some of their batteries to bear, and a most furious cannonade commenced. The Spaniards, on the land side, hearing the action was begun, plied a most tremendous and amazing fire, which we sustained for near an hour without any return: but as soon as day light appeared, a signal was made from Watson's battery for every gun in the whole line, that could be brought to bear, to begin. But oh! how shall I paint to you the horrid scene! you would have thought all hell was broke loose, and that this world was going to be crushed to atoms; the eminence on which I stood, shook, or seemed to shake, as if it were convulsed, or shook by a mighty earthquake.
In this manner did it continue until 11 o'clock in the forenoon, when four of their batteries were rendered useless, and two more were quite deserted, which were taken possession of by our people: the remainder were towed off with difficulty, supported by their gun boats: and I am greatly mistaken in my conjectures, if ever they pay us another visit. Our success on the land side was no less promising, for one of their advanced works taking fire burst with great fury: two magazines of powder blew up, and did incredible damage: and the whole firing ceased before sunset. Our loss has been very inconsiderable, not exceeding 130 killed and wounded, and many of them slightly. Their's most exceed some thousands, as many were blown up, and vast numbers were drowned. Thus in about 9 hours hard work, ceased this mighty boasting of our enemies in a total confusion and dismay: and it will surely appear astonishing to future ages, that this little rock, with 7000 men, baffled the united efforts of France and Spain; however we remain on our guard, expecting them to make another trial: At present all is quiet, and we trust the Spaniards, tired out with their fruitless endeavours, will at length abandon the project of starving us out.
A reasonable supply at present will be of great service, as we are in want of many necessaries:
ELLIOT.
What sub-type of article is it?
Naval Affairs
Military Campaign
War Report
What keywords are associated?
Gibraltar Siege
Spanish Floating Batteries
British Defense
Governor Elliott
Admiralty Office
Spanish Attack
What entities or persons were involved?
Governor Elliott
Secretary Stevens
Mr. Frazier
Where did it happen?
Gibraltar
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Gibraltar
Event Date
Night Of The 24th, As Reported In Letter Dated Sept. 12, 1782
Key Persons
Governor Elliott
Secretary Stevens
Mr. Frazier
Outcome
british loss not exceeding 130 killed and wounded, many slightly; spanish losses exceeding thousands killed, many drowned; four batteries rendered useless, two deserted and captured; attack repelled, firing ceased before sunset.
Event Details
Governor Elliott prepared defenses anticipating attack on St. Louis's day, including a floating battery, gun boats, and shore batteries. Spaniards approached slowly with floating batteries towed by boats around 1:30 AM on the 25th. British gun boats advanced and fired grape shot, causing confusion and sinkings. At 3 AM, British opened fire with battery, bombs, and balls. Spaniards responded with cannonade and land fire. By daylight, full British line engaged. Action lasted until 11 AM; Spanish batteries disabled or captured, remainder towed off. Land side: enemy works exploded. Total British success against combined French and Spanish efforts.