Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/464

430 on the other hand, dreaded the loss of valuable time which might allow succours to reach the garrison, and urged pushing on at once with the siege. He pointed out that the fleet lay in a very exposed situation in Mama Seirocco, and that it would be a most important advantage to obtain possession of the Mama Musoetto, within which they would find ample shelter. To do this it was necessary to capture fort St. Elmo, which commanded the entrance to that harbour. He therefore proposed that they should at once lay siege to this work, leaving to Dragut the responibility of deciding upon their future measures. These views prevailed, and the attack on St. Elmo commenced in due form.

Mount Sceberras being but a bare rock, the Turkish engineers were unable to open their trenches in the ordinary manner. Gabions, fascines, and even earth had all to be brought from a distance, a task of enormous labour; but by dint of perseverance and at a great sacrifice of life from the galling and incessant fire of the fort, the work was at length accomplished. The siege operations at this point were very unskilfully designed. For the purpose of sheltering the trenches from the fire of St. Angelo, they were kept on the reverse side of the hill, and thereby left the communication between that fortress and St. Elmo open. Of recent years a subterranean communication has been discovered, the mouth of which was concealed amongst the rocks at the foot of Mount Sceberras, facing St. Angelo. An outlet has also been found in that part of St. Elmo which formed the original fort. Although the passage way has not been traced throughout, it being filled up with débris, there can be little doubt that it was by this channel intercourse was so long kept up between the two forts under cover of night. This would have been impracticable had the Turkish lines overlooked the harbour, and the error led to a protracted and bloody siege before a work which should have been taken in a few days.

The trenches being at length completed, a battery was constructed to bear against the points selected for attack, at a distance of a little less than 200 yards from the fort. It was armed with ten guns throwing 80 lb. shot, three columbrines for 60 lb. shot, and one basilisk for 160 lb. shot. The guns