The New Hampshire Gazette

Particular account of the Situation and Strength of Toulon.

It has been said that the combined fleets of England and Spain, have sailed to attack Toulon, to shew how improbable such an assertion is, we are favored with the following account of the amazing strength of that city.

Toulon is defended by at least 700 pieces of cannon, most of which are 24 and 36 pounders. The entrance into the harbour is about two miles wide, and is defended first, by a battery of 12 cannon on Cape Sepet, near which is a signal tower: Next by another battery of l'Hopital of 10, and immediate opposite this by the Grand-Tower of 20. Fort La Malgue of 200 guns and among these some culverines that carry upwards of 4 miles, and are 18 or 20 feet long, is immediately behind Grande-Tour, protects also the entrance and commands the great road, de la Valettee, on the side of Savoy. Petite-Tour, is the last fort at the end of the arm of the sea which forms the entrance into the bay of Toulon. The passage from this place to the city, about two leagues, is extremely narrow, crooked & difficult, and can be navigated only by the assistance of buoys which mark the channel and may be easily removed.

The whole of these two leagues of bay is within the reach of the cannon of Grande and Petite-Tour, or of the batteries of Toulon, which are in double tiers, the whole length of the port and extremely formidable. So much for an attack by sea, which 100 sail of the line would not be safe in attempting.

If troops should be landed to the west of Toulon, which would be very difficult from the abruptness of the shore, till they would meet with insurmountable difficulties in an attack on Toulon in this quarter. The old fortifications of this city have been strengthened by the addition of new walls against the old and an additional ditch: Fort Louis on this side presents also a formidable obstacle: But besides, in this quarter of the environs it would be impossible to attempt a siege, for breaking ground is impracticable owing to the numerous considerable springs of water, with which the ground abounds.

On the eastern side of the city, nature has opposed fewer obstacles, but art has wonderfully increased them. Fort La Malgue, of 200 guns, we have already said, commands this quarter; from this fort to the city is a covered way from which an enemy could be much annoyed, and besides these, are forts St. Marguerite of 40 guns, Artigue of 30, and Faron of 12, which all, from different heights command the road and plain below. The last mentioned fort is situated on a rock so steep and so difficult of access, that the cannon with which it is fortified were obliged to be cast on it, the materials being carried up by the labor of men. This fort, however, notwithstanding its height has the advantage of an unfailing spring of water.

It was on this side that in 1707, Prince Eugene attacked it with a formidable land force: but after a two months' siege was obliged to abandon the enterprize. This quarter can also be protected by ships, whose cannon may be brought to bear upon an enemy beyond the covered way.

This was fully experienced at the attack by prince Eugene, whose army was put in great disorder by the fire of four ships brought there during the night. Toulon has a fortified port, in which a considerable fleet may be kept secure and used in case of need, at a short warning. Its garrison is generally 12,000 men, half soldiers, half sailors.