Page:The Siege of London - Posteritas - 1885.djvu/49

 about for a short time to pick up any survivors there might be, and then steamed away, each of them showing signs of being severely damaged. It was now seen that the French plan of action was that of a brilliant series of dashes, executed at various points, almost simultaneously. It was evident, too, that the enemy was kept well informed of all that was passing in England, and knowing that a tremendous drain had been made upon the military resources by the strong force that had been sent north; and while public attention was diverted by the attack on Plymouth, a powerful fleet steamed out of Calais and Boulogne harbours, where it had been moored for some time, and opened fire on Dover and Folkestone. In spite of the tremendous fire from the battery on the Admiralty Pier at Dover, and from the castle and forts on the heights, the French ships set the two towns on fire, and by a chance shot they disabled the turret on the Pier so that it would not revolve, and thus it became useless. It was soon after this that the earth was shaken as if by a tremendous earthquake, and the magazine of the Castle blew up. It has never been determined how the disaster occurred, but there is ample proof warranting the assertion that it was due to treachery on the part of some of the Irish artillerymen stationed there. The destruction was frightful. At least a thousand men lost their lives, and the greater part of the defensive works were shattered into ruins. Taking advantage of the consternation and excitement thus produced, the French, under cover of the ships' guns, proceeded to land a large force of marines and blue-jackets, who, by a bold dash, and with little or no opposition, gained possession of the Castle.

On the success of this operation the French had set their hopes of being able to gain an entrance into the country by the south. They were perfectly well aware that if their army in the north of Scotland was to be effective, it must be aided by the simultaneous movements of one in the south, and that the two armies must, by concerted action, converge upon London. Dover once in the hands of an enemy, and if the communications could be kept open, unlimited supplies of men could be poured in. For their attack on Dover the French had long been preparing, and the attacking vessels had been specially selected for the work, on