Gibraltar. 27 



On the evening of the 20th the splendid Ceuta Light was 

 seen, which, even at a distance of twenty miles, looks 

 as if it were quite near. This lighthouse is of the utmost 

 importance to ships emerging into the Atlantic from the 

 Mediterranean, as the current is exceedingly powerful, and 

 during the night is apt imperceptibly to carry a vessel out of 

 her course. On the morning of the 21st, the ship lay in a 

 calm before the rock of Gibraltar. Barren, gray, and gloomy 

 rose now before our sight this rocky, gun-studded, colossal 

 sentinel of that vigilantly-prudent, energetic, and jealous 

 Power, which is so constantly seeking to extend her rule 

 wherever her own interests are concerned, or where she thinks 

 it advisable to make herself respected by other nations. 



A light breeze sprang up, and at half-past 3 p.m. the 

 anchorage, eleven and a half fathoms in depth, was reached. 

 The frigate now lay in front of the Alameda or public gardens 

 of Gibraltar, situated near the town gate, called the Ragged 

 Staff. This anchorage is tolerably safe at this season, but in 

 autumn and winter, as well as generally in strong easterly 

 winds, it is not to be recommended, it being preferable to 

 haul further in towards the place where the merchant-vessels 

 usually lie. We saluted the English flag on the fortress with 

 twenty-one guns, which were immediately answered from the 

 ramparts. There were no English men-of-war in the Roads, 

 except the sloop Curlew^ Capt. Horton. The following morn- 

 ing our consort, the Caroliney anchored in our vicinity. 



The first day of the arrival of a man-of-war in harbour is 

 attended with much inconvenience, particularly if she carries 



