THE GREAT SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 465 
which the Bed goes on a Swivel and answers very well.” 
On March 7th he says :—“The 8 Inch Howitzer broke the Swivel 
Pin, but the 42 stands 8 lb. of Powder.” 
“6th April.—Fired three 13 Inch Shells from the Rock Mortar at 
the advanced work, 2 of which struck on the Parapet and damaged it 
much.” 
Food had gradually been getting scarcer, and entries in the diary 
make constant mention of rising prices, but on April 12th a fleet under 
Admiral Darby escorting a large convoy arrived in the Bay. Spilsbury’s 
entry runs— 
“ About 11 a.m. arrived the Convoy, about 130 sail, of which 28 of 
the Line, 4 or 5 Frigates, a Fire Ship, Cutter, &c. being preceded in 
the night before by the Kite Cutter, who brought despatches that were 
immediately taken to the Governor, and about + after just as the leading 
ship dropped her Anchor their Batteries began Bombarding the Town 
which they kept up, resting only in the middle of the day for their 
Siesto.” 
On the 15th we find this entry. ‘Such a scene of drunkenness, 
debauchery, and destruction was hardly ever seen before,” the result 
of the arrival not only of food and stores but of wine and rum. 
It was on this day that the besiegers commenced their bombard- 
ment of Gibraltar which went on with but slight intermission for many 
months. 
Presently we read— 
“27th April.—The traverses not shot proof and several men 
wounded, &c., in the South Flank King’s Bastion. The magazine 
was in that Flank but shifted a day or two ago.” 
The number of ordnance bearing on the place at this time is given 
by Drinkwater as 114—guns and mortars. 
“ 15th May.—The Mill Battery fired three shells, one Middle Yard 
South Barracks, one near the Old and Grand Magazine Rosia, and the 
other to near St. Michael’s Cave.” 
The Spaniards had constructed some gunboats with which at about 
this time they commenced to harrass the Garrison, and their fire from 
their land batteries increased also, so that much damage was done to 
the town, and many people killed. 
The following entry gives a fair idea of the horrors of the bombard- 
ment. 
“24th May.—About midnight a shell fell into a House South Shed 
and buried about 16 people for 2 or 8 Hours, but they were got out by 
the Assistance of the Picquet except a Child belonging to the poor 
woman 68th that was killed some time ago, which perished by it. 
Three Jews, one that had lost all he had in town, near 10,000 Pounds, 
his clerk, and a Relation a woman were killed by a shell in their House 
in Black Town, and 2 Butchers, inhabitants, were killed and one 
wounded and one 73rd was killed in his Bed in S. Barracks. Two 
shells fell in the Hospital Yard, and a shot went through the Roof of 
the pavilion at the Hospital where Lt. Lowe was. Our batteries were 
manned but did not fire. 
65 
