THE GREAT GALE OF 1703. 197 



cross, with fortifications and bastions fully prepared with heavy Armstrong ordnance towering 

 .above, what enemy is ever likely to attack the citadel of the Verne ? Our leading journal spoke 

 of it as more compact than Cherbourg, Cronstadt, or Sebastopol, while it is more than three 

 times their elevation above the sea. 



Jutting out from the main fortress are two bastionettes, one of which has eight faces, 

 mounting guns on each so as to sweep with a murderous fire two-thirds of the whole length 

 of the fosse or ditch. The other is nearly as formidable, and both are pierced with loop-holes 

 in all directions for the fire of riflemen. The great barracks in the enclosure of the Verne 

 can, at a pinch, accommodate 10,000 men, the peace garrison being about a third of that 

 number. The arrangements for water supply are perfect, great reserve tanks having been 

 cut from the solid rock, and covered with shot-proof roofs. These are kept full, and, 

 protected from air and light ; the water is always sweet. Portland bristles with batteries; 

 but the Verne commands everything in range of cannon, inside or outside the breakwater, 

 including all parts of the island, and can cross fire with other important forts. It is probably 

 the strongest fortified harbour in the world. 



Other and important breakwaters, like that of Holyhead, which cost a couple of 

 million sterling, and which is generally cited as an example of much money thrown into the 

 sea ; Alderney, which has swallowed up close on three-fourths of the above sum ; and Dover, 

 which has a fine vertical sea-wall, might be mentioned. Enough has been said to show 

 the general importance of the subject to a maritime people, and that, on the whole, England 

 has been fully alive to the fact. Indeed, counting large and small breakwaters and sea-walls, 

 more has been expended in this country for these works than in any two or three foreign 

 countries possessing sea-boards. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE GREATEST STORM IN ENGLISH HISTORY. 



The Dangers of the Seas- England's Interest in the Matter The Shipping and Docks of London and Liverpool The 

 Goodwin Sands and their History The "Hovellers" The Great Gale of 1703-Dcfoe's Graphic Account Thirteen 

 Vessels of the Royal Navy Lost Accounts of Eye-witnesses The Storm Universal over England Great Damage 

 and Loss of Life at Bristol Plymouth -Portsmouth Vessels Driven to Holland At the Spurn Light Inhumanity 

 of Deal Townsmen A worthy Mayor Saves 200 Lives The Damage in the Thames Vessels Drifting in all 

 Directions -800 Boats Lost Loss of Life on the River On Shore Remarkable Escapes and Casualties London in a 

 Condition of Wreck Great Damage to Churches A Bishop and his Lady Killed A Remarkable Water-Spout 

 Total Losses Fearful. 



" THE dangers of the seas " are little enough to some countries, but to England they mean 

 much indeed. Think of the maritime interests of the port of London, the docks of which 

 cover considerably over 300 acres of water-space, and to which 7,000 or more vessels enter 

 annually. Over 100 vessels, exclusive of small craft, enter the port daily; its exports 

 form nearly one-fourth of the total exports of the United Kingdom. Liverpool in some 

 maritime interests excels it. This, the second largest city in Great Britain, had, as late 



