Gibraltar (1933)

[Music] the [Music] we are turning our backs to the broad Atlantic as we enter the Mediterranean through the Straits of Gibralter the famous rock rises majestically in the distance to a height of 14400 Ft on the southern tip of Europe facing Gibralter on the African Coast stands Mount abila the Ancients called these two peaks the pillars of Hercules in those far off days they thought the Earth was flat and the Mariners of the Mediterranean never ventured beyond the pillars of Hercules for fear of falling off the Edge we turn into the Bay of Alerus and come to Anchor between the Spanish Town of that name and the British Fortress of Gibralter and as usual the natives come out in small boats to tempt us with their Wares and now we are on British soil the town is comparatively modern the old town was completely destroyed 150 years ago during the famous Siege by the Spanish and French in this colony of the British crown the governor is supreme he has the unique power of making his own laws without even Consulting Parliament Splendid military roads have been cut out of the solid rock to give ready access to the signal Tower which reports to the world the P of All Ships through the Straits the Spanish Town of Alerus lies directly across the bay looking down we get a good view of the barracks where the British Garrison is quartered the bastions that played such an important part in Ancient Warfare are now useless the guns have all been moved way up on the rock below the barracks we see the docks and the moles that protect the Inner Harbor in which an entire fleet can take refuge and where no submarine or Torpedoes can attack it Naval stores are kept here in great quantities dry docks and a complete machine shop make it possible to repair all the damaged chips the long road ahead leads to the boundary line between this British possession and the territory of Spain although the rock is impressive from the sea the Majesty of its UPF flung mass of gray limestone is still more impressive from the land reaching Skyward like a gigantic finger it seems to point a warning to aliens to keep a loop for Gibralter is a British Military Reservation on which none but British subject objects may reside permanently the alien workers are required to leave town and cross the line each day when the sunset gun is fired at daylight they may return to perform their various tasks those still seeking employment hang around on the Sands at the base of the rock some of them earn a few pennies selling fruits or souvenirs to the visitors they are a mixed blot mostly of genuis or Italian descent as we motor along the road on the western slope of above the town we get a close view of the northern head of the Rock in this mass of limestone the British laboriously cut the celebrated Rock galleries which conceal and protect the big guns a branch of the road leads down to the Village of Catalan on the east side of The Rock when after the terrific Siege of 1779 which lasted 4 years the British finally went out it was in this that the Gallant commander of Gibralter General s George Elliot received the French dick Deon who had commanded the attack the late enemy shook hands with words of mutual respect and admiration for each other's Valor and constancy the houses were in Ruins then they have since been rebuilt that was the 15th Siege of Gibralter from its termination until the present day Great Britain has remained in Undisputed possession of the Fortress nowadays pedlers go from house to house offering their wees in this primitive fashion they are inspired by the same idea that has made the 5 and 10 cent stores rich little of everything at a low price but their chances in Gibralter are very slim indeed well goodbye and good luck hey watch out there look out for the car even here we find the everpresent street photographer stand arties he says a little smile now to please the lies back home okay as the Yankees say I wonder what the girls back home will say when they get this one are sir only a shill a pie sir and I hope the lities will like them sir thank you Captain since the days of Noah there seems to have existed a strong bond of sympathy between Mankind and the gentle pigeon the town is built on the west slope of The Rock and space was so small that the builders were compelled to make all the streets narrow like this one surefooted donkeys are used to carry burdens up and down these steep Alleyways and here are a couple of old friends who have patiently done their daily Duty side by side for many years the one on the left is the Dy those who live in in jalter have to depend on rain for their water supply some houses have their own systemns which collect rain water from the roofs just as they do in Bermuda others have to buy their water from this young man he delivers it at your door for a penny a pale pool The Garrison however has a 6 million gallon Reservoir cut out of the solid rock this is fair by the rain that runs off the upper slopes and a little rainwater wouldn't do any harm to this old lady now we wonder how she got some dirty in such a clean Place ah I see she has been delivering coal well no wonder everywhere since the days of Eve the mother instinct crops out early in life when little girls are privileged they practice on dogs but when they are poor they simply fondle a younger brother or sister the Garrison's young hope folks when they grow up they doubtless will want to be soldiers just like their fathers blow hard Sunny that's right come on once more that's a good boy it was through the ruins of the old gate that stood on this spot way back in 1783 when the British possession of gibala was finally assured and all the Spanish inhabitants marched out to go and found a new town of their own on Spanish soil back back once more on our ship we take a farewell look at the famous Rock of Gibralter the guardian of the Mediterranean and the accepted emblem of all that is strong solid and enduring the end of Gibralter the southernmost tip of Europe the lighthouse on Europa point [Music]