Great Siege of Gibraltar

Great Siege of Gibraltar
Part of the War of American Independence
"The Siege and Relief of Gibraltar", 13 September 1782, by John Singleton Copley
Date June 24, 1779 - February 7, 1783 Location Gibraltar Result Decisive British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	Spain France
Commanders and leaders
George Augustus Eliott	Duc de Crillon
Strength
5,500 to 7,000 men; 96 guns	40,000 men; 246 guns
Casualties and losses
333 killed 911 wounded 536 died from disease	5,000 killed, wounded, captured, and missing

The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the War of American Independence.

In June of 1779, Spain declared war against Great Britain as France had done the year before.

In July military forces of both France and Spain laid siege to the British garrison at Gibraltar. This would start the Great Siege of Gibraltar. The British forces, led by George Augustus Eliott, 1st Baron Heathfield, suffered bombardment and blockade for more than three years. The most horrific engagement of the siege took place on September 13, 1782 when a combined Franco-Spanish assault involving 100,000 men and 48 ships attacked the British. The garrison survived the assault.

Finally, in February of 1783 the siege was lifted. George Augustus Eliott was awarded the Knight of the Bath and was created 1st Baron Heathfield of Gibraltar. The Treaties of Versailles reaffirmed previous treaties.