Gibraltar 1779 - 1783

After Spain declared war against Britain on 21 June 1779 during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), a siege by land and sea was deployed against Gibraltar. For four years the garrison of Governor Elliot was blockaded and starvation was never far away. Despite constant Spanish bombardment, the garrison maintained high spirits thanks to the resolute attitude of Elliot, who embodied all the virtues of steadfast resistance and defiance against the odds. Frustrated by failure, the Spanish called in French forces under the Duc de Crillon. The French built armoured battering ships, designed to be immune to British fire while they pulverized the defences, but this too failed to capture ‘the Rock’. The seige was finally broken in 1782, breaking too the Franco-Spanish spirit and was a prelude to the final British victory in February 1783. This book examines this fascinating siege and people involved in it.

After Spain declared war against Britain on 21 June 1779, a siege by land and sea was deployed against Gibraltar. For four years the garrison of Governor Elliot was blockaded and starvation was never far away. Despite constant Spanish bombardment, the garrison maintained high spirits thanks to the resolute attitude of Elliot, who embodied all the virtues of steadfast resistance and defiance against the odds. Frustrated by failure, the Spanish called in French forces under the Duc de Crillon. The French built armoured battering ships, designed to be immune to British fire while they pulverized the defences, but this too failed to capture ‘the Rock’. The seige was finally broken in 1782, breaking too the Franco-Spanish spirit and was a prelude to the final British victory in February 1783. This book examines this fascinating siege and people involved in it.

René Chartrand was born in Montréal and educated in Canada, the United States and the Bahamas. A senior curator with Canada's National Historic Sites for nearly three decades, he is now a freelance writer and historical consultant. He has written numerous articles and books including almost 30 Osprey titles. He lives in Gatineau, Québec, with his wife and two sons.