When was gibraltar captured

But that would unite France, the continent's dominant military power, with Spain, owner of the world's largest empire. The maritime powers, England and Holland, weren't having that. So they proposed Archduke Charles, son of Leopold 1 of Austria, and took up arms under the banner of the Grand Alliance to enforce their claim.

So began the War of the Spanish Succession, which would be waged for 13 years. But a port of refuge nearer the action was required. An attempt to take Cadiz had already failed, and so Gibraltar was proposed. On 4 August, English and Dutch marines landed to the north of the rock while ships' guns pounded it from the sea.

After six hours of bombardment, troops landed and took the town. After a siege and heavy bombardment by the Spanish during which their guns blew-up and the gun-barrels began to droop , a truce was declared in In , what became known as the Great Siege began and the numerous tunnels that are a feature of the Rock are a legacy from this time.

This siege lasted from and reached its climax in The Spanish planned an attack from the sea and land, preceded by a heavy bombardment.

The Spanish ships were carefully prepared with wet sand and wet cork between the timbers and a sprinkler system to put out fires caused by red-hot shot. During this long siege the Gibraltarians suffered greatly through lack of food.

General Eliott was the Governor at this time; he had arrived at the Rock in and showed himself to be a great leader and planner. As an example to his men he lived on 4 ounces of rice a day when the siege was at its height.

Another series of tunnels were completed during the Second World War. During the Franco era, Spain attempted to revive her claim for the reversion of the Rock to Spanish sovereignty, which culminated in the closure of the border for thirteen years in The roots of Gibraltar have grown deep into the Rock for millions of years. The natural history, the culture and finally, the people themselves - the Gibraltarians - are the result: the ultimate proof that the history of the Rock lives on. Accessibility X.

Gibraltar is a major shipping port and base for Britain's Royal Navy. Image source, PA. Gibraltarians overwhelmingly rejected joint British-Spanish sovereignty in a referendum. Image source, Getty Images.