GREAT SIEGE TUNNEL
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During the American War Of Independence, France and
Spain made an all out attempt to recapture the Rock frm the british
in Gibraltar's fourteenth siege, always called the Great Siege, which
lasted frm July 1779 to February 1783. Gradually the enemy advanced
their trenches on the isthmus, until in 1782 the enemy were so close
to the Rock that none of the existing batteries in Gibraltar could not
fire upon them.
The governor, General Elliot is said to have offered a reward to anyone who could tell him how to get cannons on the steep north face of the Rock, known as the "Notch". Sergeant-Major Ince, a member of the company of Military Artificers, suggested that this could be done by tunnelling and permission was granted to start the works. The tunnellers relied on the strength of their arms, on their skill with a sledgehammer and a crowbar and were aided with gunpowder for blasting. Originally there was no idea of mounting cannons in this gallery, but as work progressed the fumes from the blasting almost suffocated the miners, so it was decided to open a vent to let air ventilate the tunnel. Almost at once it was realised what an excellent embrasure this would make for a cannon, so one was mounted without waiting to reach the "Notch". Other embrasures were cut and mounted forming a gallery of cannons , defending the entrance to the Rock. WWII the Royal Engineers , equipt with a diamond- drill
opened some 30 miles of tunnels. |
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