396 
COMMENDED ESSAY, 1893 . 
Alexandria. 
Cliagres, 
Acre. 
La Guayra. 
to the batteries or guns. The ships suffered little. Command of the 
sea was secured by an immense covering fleet. 
The details of the attack on Alexandria, which had for its object 
“ the destruction of the earthworks and dismantling of the batteries 
on the sea front,” are too well known to need description. The fol¬ 
lowing points may be noted :— 
(1.) Superiority of fire of anchored ships over that of those 
under weigh. 
(2.) Large amount of damage done to buildings, stores, &c., on 
shore. 
(3.) Small amount of damage done to the batteries and their 
armament, proving that to obtain decisive results ships 
must come close in. Even low barbette batteries held 
their own against the ships. 
(4.) The garrison'was cowardly and easily demoralised. 
(5.) Everything was in favour of the ships, the sea was calm, 
and there were no torpedoes, submarine miues, &c. 
(6.) Owing to the long ranges (1000—4000 yards) only 11 out 
of 1650 common shell (7-inch and upwards) hit the 
parapet at the most effective place, i.e., just short of 
crest. 
Captain Goodrich, U.S.N., amongst other conclusions, draws the 
following :— 
(1.) Kecent high-powered guns are not adapted to bombarding 
earthworks. 
(2.) Vessels are not yet, and never will be, able to fight on even 
terms with forts. 
(II.) Bombardment . (With a view to conquest and occupation ).—Of 
simple bombardments, unassisted by landing parties, we have few 
instances. The most notable are successful attacks on Chagres, 1 740, 
and Acre in 1840; futile attacks on Charleston in 1776 and 1863, and 
La Guayra, 1743. 
After two days slow and deliberate bombardment by three battle¬ 
ships and some bomb vessels at moderate ranges, Chagres surrendered. 
The fall was due to (1) inferior garrison; (2) geographical position of 
fortress. 
At Acre troops were ready to assist, but not required. Close ranges 
(6-700 yards) were adopted, and after three hours' bombardment the 
fortress ceased firing, and was evacuated during the night. The walls 
were high and not breached. The result was due to (1) the ships 
being allowed to take up their positions unmolested; (2) explosion of 
a magazine destroying two regiments. 
At La Guayra landing parties were unable to get ashore owing to 
swell, and ships could not get close in. A distant bombardment fol¬ 
lowed with little result. Failure was due to (1) lack of sheltered 
landing place ; (2) ships being unable to get close in. 
