Few men in the Anglo-Dutch and French fleets that pummelled each other with relentless broadsides on October 24 1704 appreciated what was at stake. When the battle ended in stalemate the French retired to Toulon, claiming victory. It was lucky the French broke off when they did, for some of the Royal Navyâ??s ships were down to their last dozen cannon balls.
The British ships were so low on ammunition because just over a fortnight earlier they had mercilessly bombarded the Spanish fortress at Gibraltar, before carrying out a successful amphibious assault. Had the French pushed a little harder, Admiral Rooke would have been dislodged from Britainâ??s newly gained prize and history would have been very different.
It has taken the risible diversionary techniques of the Spanish government to remind us that this year is the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht, by which Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain â??forever, without any exception or impediment whatsoeverâ?. Securing a base on the Iberian Peninsula realised the dream of generations of naval strategists.
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