Gibraltar’s Tunnels: From Great Siege Innovation to WWII Expansion

During Gibraltar's Great Siege (1779-1783), Sergeant-Major Henry Ince proposed tunneling the Rock for cannons. Royal Engineers expanded these tunnels during WWII, creating 33 miles of passages, now a historical site with military displays.

On 25th Might 1782, Ince and his men began work under the command of Lieutenant J. Evelegh, a Royal Designer, Aide De Camp to the Guv. The first strategy was to get a canon to the Notch, however when they produced vents to launch the gunpowder fumes, they knew it made an excellent embrasure for the cannons, so they carved a lot more throughout the passage. After the siege ended, Ince continued tunnelling, adding in 2 more galleries and a chamber below the Notch, called St George’s Hall, where 7 weapons were set up.

The Great Siege and Tunnel Origins

Whilst Britain was busy fighting in the American War of Self-reliance, Spanish and French troops, led by leader Duc de Crillon, seized the day to try to redeem Gibraltar, instigating the 14th siege of Gibraltar. The Great Siege lasted from July 1779 to February 1783. In 1782, the attacking troops were so near to the Rock that none of the existing batteries can bombard them due to the uncomfortable angle, so guv General Eliott used an incentive of 1,000 Spanish dollars to any person who can obtain the canons on the “Notch,” the northern side of the Rock. Sergeant-Major Henry Ince, a participant of the firm of Army Artificers, that came to be the Royal Engineers, suggested tunneling with the Rock. Ince’s previous occupation as a miner offered him well with this decision.

During World Battle 2, when passage equipment improved, the Royal Engineers continued their precursors’ job and extended the passages by 33 miles. Today, the tunnels still have artillery as well as soldier mannequins, so is an intriguing location to check out, unless you don’t like enclosed spaces and mannequins. It likewise offers you the chance to conceal from the apes that prowl the Rock, and pretend you’re under siege from the new, fuzzy leaders of Gibraltar.