could reach them-no aid was at hand-no vessel could approach-as the strongest were driven from their anchors. In the direfulness of this distress, three bold fellows, three heroic hearts, taking advantage of a slight lull, contrived to reach, by swimming, a craft which was used to convey the workmen to and from the Digue, and was moored at a short distance. This, by incredible exertion, they brought near enough to the battery to embark many of their companions. Some found safety by clinging to the higher blocks, the greater part perished. Such disaster seemed fatal to the attempt; but the will of Napoleon urged on the work -the contest with the ocean went Every experiment had given knowledge, every failure experience; every engineer improved on the attempt of his predecessors, and it remained for M. Fonques Duparc to complete the design by proposing that a vertical wall of masonry should be built on the rubble foundation, rising high above the level, which should present a long solid barrier, massive in its structure and firm at its base. on. This plan was adopted in 1832, and reached completion in 1853. Thus the idea which had been conceived in 1668, had then floated about for years amid bureaux, counsels, and commissions, assuming different shapes and destinies, then took a definite form and purpose in 1775, and in 1784 was embodied in actual material work, after sixty-nine years of labour and expense, after long contest with difficulties and delays, changes of construction, and vicissitudes of disaster and failure, appeared perfected and fulfilled in the Digue an achievement which must rank high among the monuments which the art and science of the age have raised. It was long in doing, and the great time occupied in its construction may detract from its value as an effort of national will, and contrast with the more rapid and continuous progress of our own breakwater; but it must be remembered that it was undertaken as an experiment; that the principles of shutting out the sea most effectually were as yet undetermined; that it VOL. LXXXIV.-NO. DXVII. was begun when mechanical appliances were less powerful, and continued through revolutions and changes of dynasties; and then the perseverance with which it was carried on, and the resolution with which it was accomplished, will have their due appreciation, their due significance of persistent motive_and intent. The Digue made the Rade of Cherbourg. Extending to a distance of 4060 yards betwixt Pelée and Querqueville, it entirely shelters the roadstead "from N.W. round northerly to N.E," and insures all the requisites of a secure anchorage, a sure refuge, and a good startingpoint. It lies about W.N.W., and does not run in a straight line, but stands on the harbour side at an angle of 45°. It was thought more expedient that it should be formed of two arms. "These are of unequal lengths, the western being nearly one-third longer than the other, each diverging 5° towards the harbour." The broad line of polished masonry rising above the waters gives little idea of its vastness. Lying on a base of upwards of one hundred yards, "with a long fore-shore to seawards," the solid wall rises from a breadth of thirty-three feet, gradually diminishing to twenty-seven at the top, to the height of twenty-three feet, with the parapet, above the high-water mark. The effect which it creates after that of vastness is completeness. The musoirs at either end, the central forts, the parapet bordering and ramparting the broad causeway, all give it an exterior of finish which corresponds fully with the minuteness and perfectness of the details. From the terre-plein the eye sees nought save finish-in the fineness and smoothness of the masonry, in the slope of the parapet by which it is adapted as a breastwork for guns, and in the snug sheltered cambres at the forts, where boats can enter and keep up the communication at any tide and in any weather. We were certainly witness to a landing under difficulties at low water, when the struggles and poses of cocked-hats and swords, epaulettes and spurs, in the ascent of a steep iron ladder, would have given Charivari or Leech many an attitude. 2 s This was, however, an eccentricity design. The port militaire would of debarkation. Under all circum- be still incomplete-still without stances, except those perhaps of arsenals and docks for the construcactual tempests or very heavy gales, tion and armament of vessels of war. the access is easy and well provided The genius of Napoleon comprefor. These great works of utility, hended what was needed to perfect these great mechanical triumphs, the creation, and his will resolved it. have seldom much of the picturesque. Then was issued the decree in April There were, however, here points of 1803: "Qu'un port serait creuse view often striking and peculiar. pour les grands vaisseaux de guerre The fore-shore of the base, with its dans le roc de Cherbourg à cinquante broken, rugged masses, encrusted pieds de profondeur au-dessous des with shells, and here and there tan- hautes marées." A bassin-de-flot and gled with sea-weed, over which the an arrière-bassin were to follow, and blue waters ripple, taking from them constitute Cherbourg as a first-class a darker hue, the figures of the towers port of war. This sounds almost like ending or breaking a vista, the frown- the mandate of an eastern despot, ing battlements of the fort on the Ile which, in the plenitude of power, Pelée beyond, the jagged steps and thousands of slaves would execute, points of the rocky shore on which or which, in the absence of it, would it stands, the breaking of the surf on be proclaimed as the outward expresits shoals, all made pictures out of sion of empire, the vaunt and asthe vast materialism around. sumption of sovereignty. The forts we shall speak of in their order as parts of the defence. The Digue leaves two channels of entrance. The chief is that to the westward. The space here betwixt the musoir at the extremity and the Querqueville Point is divided by the Chavagnac Rock, which just shows darkly above the water in the midst. The entire distance across is about 2500 yards; but this rock straitens the main channel to a width of rather more than half a mile. This is accessible and safe both to sailing ships and steamers. The inner one between Chavagnac Rock and Querqueville is also practicable for large vessels at certain states of the tide. The other entrance is by the eastward, betwixt the eastern musoir and the edge of Pelée Island Flat, and is much narrower and more difficult, in consequence of being "crossed obliquely by the tide-streams." The haven thus enclosed is divided into the Rade and La Petite Rade. The Rade is the outward space beyond the bay, and has two anchoragesone near the eastern, and one under the western arm of the breakwater both safe, and affording good holding; the western having a depth of from six to eight fathoms everywhere. La Petite Rade is to the southward, within Fort Hommet. The roadstead was achieved. It alone, however, could not fulfil the "Ce magnifique programme" was, however, no idle vaunt; it was a mandate which was obeyed, not, indeed, with the rapidity of slaves fulfilling a master's will, but was responded to firmly and surely by the energies of a great people. The spot chosen was the mass of rock on the western side of the bay. This had been called Le Pré-du-Roi, in consequence of its having been fixed upon in former times by Vauban, under the direction of his master Louis, as the site best adapted for the construction of an artificial port. The name through many intervening years had marked the purpose. No other site was available. All others offered the objections of exposure and openness, of insecure foundations and uncertain entrance. This presented only the difficulty of labour-the toil of a long and stern struggle with the rock. It was accepted as the lesser difficulty. The work of excavation was begun, and the basin of Napoleon commenced the series which now lie complete and perfected within the enceinte of the port militaire. The space thus occupied and enclosed has an area of about 220 acres; and from its situation on the level ground at the foot of the hills, and from its forming a sort of irregular promontory jutting on the Rade, was especially capable of being isolated and kept distinct from the the representative of her great lord, who was absent at the head of his armies. This basin is faced all round with granite. At its southern end are four building-slips, and one "forme de radoub." The slips are enclosed by sheds with high massive walls, and bomb-proof roofs. Behind these are the different workshops town and neighbouring country. Its north side looks forth on the breakwater and western entrance, and is fronted by rocks which render it unapproachable by boats, and unfit for landing. The more extended front is the western, which faces the Petite Rade, and offers the best and easiest access to the port; an irregular semicircular line, running from the south--dull, grim buildings, dark, and ern point along the foot of the hills to the northern, connects the enceinte. The avant-port, the first of the series, was cut out of the granite-bed at the southern end of the western side, and is a large floating basin with a superficies of sixteen acres, having a length of about nine hundred feet, and a breadth of seven hundred and fifty. Its depth is about thirty-two feet below the level of low-water, and upwards of sixty "en contre-bas des terre-pleins" of the arsenal. Its entrance from the roadstead is a short channel opening to the eastward, in which there are from thirteen to sixteen feet at lowwater. This is the only access to the system of basins, and is not available for large-class ships, except at certain times of tide. Before the completion of the eastern end of the breakwater, this channel and basin were much exposed to winds from the eastward, and though more sheltered now, are still affected by the heavy surf during strong gales from that quarter. To the southward of this is another entrance which opens into a port or cambre for boats and lumps, and then into a smaller bassinde-flot for the smaller steamers, and for the loading of lighters with provisions, &c. Around stand buildings for the salting and storing of provisions. This supplementary little port is called the Bassin-de-Flot de Chantereyne, from its being constructed on the supposed site of the chapel built by Maude in commemoration of her deliverance, and where thanksgivings might be chanted continually for the escape of the queen. The avant-port was six years in progress, and (as has been before said) was inaugurated on the 27th August 18h great pomp and circumsta Treat triumph and exult Louise, as almost silent, not enlivened even (at least when we saw them) by the bustle and din of labour. On the right are long ranges of forges and smithies. It is capable of receiving seven or eight first-class vessels. This was the initiation. The extension of the design, a bassin-de-flot, or wet dock, was to be dug in a direct line to the northward of the avant-port. The difficulties of excavation, and the diversion of the nation's energies by changes of masters and councillors, made this work slow and protracted. The year 1829 had come, the Bourbon dynasty was reestablished, the decreer was gone, when the immersing of the basin was inaugurated in the presence of royalty, and another part of the "programme magnifique," was achieved. The bassin-de-flot has the same depth as the avant-port, with which it communicates by a lock, or gates, fiftynine feet wide, for the passage of vessels from one to the other. It has no cales or formes," and being quite clear, is well adapted for holding vessels of war, though its capacity in this respect has been much overrated, both in the French and English accounts. On the right, towards the sea, stands a range of building, constituting the "Arsenal de l'Artillerie de Marine." In front of it is a large space, where guns of every kind and calibre for service afloat are laid, and shot of every size piled, ready for transport. These two, the avantport and the bassin-de-flot, occupy the western side of the environ of the dockyard. Still there was more to be done. As yet there was neither water-space, nor means of construction enough for a first-class port, and after many years of discussion and survey, the third part of the decree was enacted. In 1836, the arrière-bassin was commenced. was to exceed each of This was, however, an eccentricity of debarkation. Under all circumstances, except those perhaps of actual tempests or very heavy gales, the access is easy and well provided for. These great works of utility, these great mechanical triumphs, have seldom much of the picturesque. There were, however, here points of view often striking and peculiar. The fore-shore of the base, with its broken, rugged masses, encrusted with shells, and here and there tangled with sea-weed, over which the blue waters ripple, taking from them a darker hue, the figures of the towers ending or breaking a vista, the frowning battlements of the fort on the Ile Pelée beyond, the jagged steps and points of the rocky shore on which it stands, the breaking of the surf on its shoals, all made pictures out of the vast materialism around. The forts we shall speak of in their order as parts of the defence. The Digue leaves two channels of entrance. The chief is that to the westward. The space here betwixt the musoir at the extremity and the Querqueville Point is divided by the Chavagnac Rock, which just shows darkly above the water in the midst. The entire distance across is about 2500 yards; but this rock straitens the main channel to a width of rather more than half a mile. This is accessible and safe both to sailing-ships and steamers. The inner one between Chavagnac Rock and Querqueville is also practicable for large vessels at certain states of the tide. The other entrance is by the eastward, betwixt the eastern musoir and the edge of Pelée Island Flat, and is much narrower and more difficult, in consequence of being "crossed obliquely by the tide-streams." The haven thus enclosed is divided into the Rade and La Petite Rade. The Rade is the outward space beyond the bay, and has two anchorages one near the eastern, and one under the western arm of the breakwaterboth safe, and affording good holding; the western having a depth of from six to eight fathoms everywhere. La Petite Rade is to the southward, within Fort Hommet. The roadstead was achieved. It alone, however, could not fulfil the design. The port militaire would be still incomplete-still without arsenals and docks for the construction and armament of vessels of war. The genius of Napoleon comprehended what was needed to perfect the creation, and his will resolved it. Then was issued the decree in April 1803: "Qu'un port serait creuse pour les grands vaisseaux de guerre dans le roc de Cherbourg à cinquante pieds de profondeur au-dessous des hautes marées." A bassin-de-flot and an arrière-bassin were to follow, and constitute Cherbourg as a first-class port of war. This sounds almost like the mandate of an eastern despot, which, in the plenitude of power, thousands of slaves would execute, or which, in the absence of it, would be proclaimed as the outward expression of empire, the vaunt and assumption of sovereignty. 66 Ce magnifique programme" was, however, no idle vaunt; it was a mandate which was obeyed, not, indeed, with the rapidity of slaves fulfilling a master's will, but was responded to firmly and surely by the energies of a great people. The spot chosen was the mass of rock on the western side of the bay. This had been called Le Pré-du-Roi, in consequence of its having been fixed upon in former times by Vauban, under the direction of his master Louis, as the site best adapted for the construction of an artificial port. The name through many intervening years had marked the purpose. No other site was available. All others offered the objections of exposure and openness, of insecure foundations and uncertain entrance. This presented only the difficulty of labour-the toil of a long and stern struggle with the rock. It was accepted as the lesser difficulty. The work of excavation was begun, and the basin of Napoleon commenced the series which now lie complete and perfected within the enceinte of the port militaire. The space thus occupied and enclosed has an area of about 220 acres; and from its situation on the level ground at the foot of the hills, and from its forming a sort of irregular promontory jutting on the Rade, was especially capable of being isolated and kept distinct from the the representative of her great lord, who was absent at the head of his armies. This basin is faced all round with granite. At its southern end are four building-slips, and one "forme de radoub." The slips are enclosed by sheds with high massive walls, and bomb-proof roofs. Be town and neighbouring country. Its north side looks forth on the breakwater and western entrance, and is fronted by rocks which render it unapproachable by boats, and unfit for landing. The more extended front is the western, which faces the Petite Rade, and offers the best and easiest access to the port; an irregular semi-hind these are the different workshops circular line, running from the south--dull, grim buildings, dark, and ern point along the foot of the hills almost silent, not enlivened even (at to the northern, connects the enceinte. least when we saw them) by the The avant-port, the first of the bustle and din of labour. On the series, was cut out of the granite-bed right are long ranges of forges and at the southern end of the western smithies. It is capable of receiving side, and is a large floating basin seven or eight first-class vessels. with a superficies of sixteen acres, This was the initiation. The extenhaving a length of about nine hun- sion of the design, a bassin-de-flot, dred feet, and a breadth of seven or wet dock, was to be dug in a hundred and fifty. Its depth is direct line to the northward of the about thirty-two feet below the level avant-port. The difficulties of excaof low-water, and upwards of sixty vation, and the diversion of the naen contre-bas des terre-pleins" of tion's energies by changes of masters the arsenal. Its entrance from the and councillors, made this work slow roadstead is a short channel opening and protracted. The year 1829 had to the eastward, in which there are come, the Bourbon dynasty was refrom thirteen to sixteen feet at low- established, the decreer was gone, water. This is the only access to when the immersing of the basin was the system of basins, and is not avail- inaugurated in the presence of royalty, able for large-class ships, except at and another part of the "programme certain times of tide. Before the magnifique," was achieved. completion of the eastern end of the bassin-de-flot has the same depth as breakwater, this channel and basin the avant-port, with which it comwere much exposed to winds from municates by a lock, or gates, fiftythe eastward, and though more shel- nine feet wide, for the passage of tered now, are still affected by the vessels from one to the other. It heavy surf during strong gales from has no cales or formes," and being that quarter. To the southward of quite clear, is well adapted for holdthis is another entrance which opens ing vessels of war, though its capacity into a port or cambre for boats and in this respect has been much overlumps, and then into a smaller bassin- rated, both in the French and English de-flot for the smaller steamers, and accounts. On the right, towards the for the loading of lighters with pro- sea, stands a range of building, convisions, &c. Around stand buildings stituting the "Arsenal de l'Artillerie for the salting and storing of provi- de Marine." In front of it is a large sions. This supplementary little space, where guns of every kind and port is called the Bassin-de-Flot de calibre for service afloat are laid, Chantereyne, from its being con- and shot of every size piled, ready structed on the supposed site of the for transport. These two, the avantchapel built by Maude in commemo- port and the bassin-de-flot, occupy ration of her deliverance, and where the western side of the environ of the thanksgivings might be chanted dockyard. continually for the escape of the queen. The avant-port was six years in progress, and (as has been before said) was inaugurated on the 27th August 1813, with great pomp and circumstance, with great triumph and exultation, by Marie-Louise, as The Still there was more to be done. As yet there was neither water-space, nor means of construction enough for a first-class port, and after many years of discussion and survey, the third part of the decree was enacted. In 1836, the arrière-bassin was commenced. This was to exceed each of |