The Siege of Gibraltar was a military action during the War of the Spanish Succession during which the fortress of Gibraltar
was captured by allied British and Dutch forces after a three days’ siege, on August 4th, 1704. The attack was carried out by
a brigade of Dutch and British Marines, 1800 strong, under the command of Prince George of Hess-Darmstadt. The capture
was made in the interests of Charles, archduke of Austria, but Sir George Rooke, the British admiral, on his own responsibility
caused the British flag to be hoisted, and took possession in name of Queen Anne, whose government ratified the occupation.

A great number of the inhabitants of the town of Gibraltar abandoned their homes rather than recognize the authority of the
invaders. The Spaniards quickly assembled an army to recapture the place, and a new siege opened in October 1704 by
troops of France and Spain under the marquees of Villadarias.

The Marine brigade, still under the command of the British admiral, Sir John Leake, and the military governor, Prince George
of Hesse-Darmstadt (who had commanded the land forces in July), and reinforced shortly before by a further 400 Royal
Marines, held the fortress against repeated attacks.

A notable incident during the siege was the attempt made by 500 French and Spanish volunteer grenadiers to surprise the
garrison on October 31. Captain Fisher of the Marines with 17 of his men successfully defended the Round Tower against
their assault. A contemporary report of this noted defence says, "Encouraged by the Prince of Hesse, the garrison did more
than could humanly be expected, and the English Marines gained an immortal glory". On March 9, 1705, the French marshal
de Tessé, who had replaced Villadarias, gave up the siege and retired.

In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht was signed, and it was from that date that the King of Spain formally ceded Gibraltar in
perpetuity to the British Crown.

Calendar of Events 2004

Celebrations have been going on throughout this, our tercentenary year and Spain of course has, as one could only expect
from a fascist-rooted democratic country, saw it fit to protest on the visit of the Princess Royal, the HMS Tireless, and
presently on the visit of Geoff Hoon, the British Defence Secretary.

Yesterday's street party went on till the wee hours of the morning, with a superb fireworks display at midnight, which also
included the sounding of the foghorns from most of the ships in the harbour.

Today 4th August at 10.00am thousands held hands forming a circle round the Rock. Amongst them, of course, the Chief
Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, members of all political parties, His Excellency the Governor, UK Government and
Opposition minister and other VIP's.

Not only was the world press covering the event, but a helicopter hovered overhead taking pictures of the thousands of people which had gathered to form part of the human chain embracing the Rock on it's 300th birthday.

The Freedom of the City parade which commenced at 7.00pm was followed by a march from Grand Parade, down Main
Street to The Piazza.

"For the Spaniards...to try and lecture us on how we should commemorate that is none of their business and somewhat impertinent" (Peter Caruana, Chief Minister of Gibraltar)

Links on this page : The Treaty of Utrecht - Tercentenary Calendar - The Princess Royal