In April, 1781, starvation stared the British in the face, when, on the 12th, admiral Darby convoyed 100 merchant-vessels into the bay. The Spaniards instantly opened their fire, hoping to reduce the debilitated garrison before effectual aid was received. 114 pieces of artillery, including 50 13-inch mortars, poured their deadly missiles into the place; for many days this bombardment lasted With unabated vigor, and, though less incessant, it continued without intermission until Nov. 26, when, in a desperate midnight sally, the British succeeded in destroying the more advanced of the enemy's lines, in setting fire to many of his batteries, and in blowing up his principal depot of ammunition. This daring enterprise, successfully carried out against lines mounting 135 guns, was attended with surprisingly small loss, and forms one of the most brilliant incidents in a magnificent defense.
After this repulse, the Spaniards ceased severe hostilities for several days, up to which cessation the garrison had been incessantly bombarded for nearly eight months, and had had 568 officers and men placed hors-de-combat. The siege continued, however, throughout the winter and spring of 1782 without any remarkable incident. In July, the Duc de Crillon took command of the assailants, and preparations were made for the grand assault. Additional batteries were constructed on the land side, and floating bat teries built for.this special siege, to batter the fortress from the sea. The latter consisted of ten large vessels, whose sides were fortified by 7 ft. of timber and other materials supposed to be obstructive of shot; they were covered by slanting shot-proof roofs, and were intended to be moored by massive chains within half range of the rocks. Covered boats destined to disembark 40,000 troops, were at the same time prepared. The effect ive forge with which gen. Eliott had to withstand these efforts comprised, with the marine brigade, about 7,000 men.
The great attack commenced on Sept. 8, by a bombardment simultaneously on all :sides; 9 line-of-battle ships poured in their broadsides; 15 gun and mortar boats approached the town; while, from the Spanish lines, 170 pieces of ordnance of large caliber opened in one magnificent discharge. This terrific fire continued till the 12th; when the combined French and Spanish fleets, numbering 47 sail of the line, the 10 'battering ships mentioned above, esteemed indestructible, with many frigates and smaller vessels, anchored in the bay of Algesiras. On the 13th, every gun of besiegers and
besieged was in play. The battering vessels proved, as anticipated, invulnerable to shot and shell. At noon the enemy depressed their guns and did !Ann damage; and the defenders then resorted to the expedient of red-hot balls. These, with carcasses, and incendiary shells, were concentrated on the battering ships in unceasing volleys. Sue oess was doubtful for some hours, but towards evening the gigantic efforts of the British force began to produce fruit. The ship of the Spanish admiral was in flames, the sec ond in command was soon no better off, and although by eight o'clock the attacking .squadron was completely silenced, the fire of red-hot shot was continued without inter mission till morning. By 4 A.31. on the 14th, eight of the battering ships were on fire. In short, of the ten invincible batteries, every one was finally burned; the Spaniards lost at least 2,000 in killed alone; and the naval attack was completely repulsed with a loss to the heroic garrison of only 16 killed and 68 wounded. It is worthy of record, that notwithstanding the fury to which the British soldiers were wrought, brigadier Curtis, with a devoted band, made gallant and successful efforts to preserve the poor fellows who were left by their affrighted comrades to perish in the burning hulks.
The great bombardment of Sept. 13, 1782, was the crowning triumph of the siege; but the tiring continued in a harassing degree from the Spanish lines, until Feb. 2, 1783, when the Due de Crillon, as much to his own as to gen. Eliott's satisfaction, announced the conclusion of peace. The Spaniards welcomed their late enemies with the enthusi asm due to heroes. The thanks of parliament were cordially awarded to the gallant band; while brave gen. Eliott received the decoration of the Bath, and subsequently the title of lord Heathfield. More space has been allowed to the description of this mem orable struggle than we can ordinarily spare to specific wars; but the glorious place it occupies in British annalg, the length to which it extended (3 years, 7 months, and 12 days), the disparity of force, the brilliant defense, and the comparatively small loss of the garrison-333 killed, 536 died of disease, 1008 wounded, and 43 deserted—seem to point to this, the last siege of Gibraltar, as an exploit not to be passed over by a mere reference.