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Parson’s Lodge
The southern area of Gibraltar is probably the one side of the town that
attracts the greatest number of visitors, especially the types who prefer
seeing sites that are rich in historical value and significance. These are
the actual kinds of places that southern Gibraltar offers the many
tourists that come to visit this particular corner of the town.
When looking closely at the various attractions south of Gibraltar, one
can easily see that many of these are largely historical sites that serve
to bridge the gap between the past and the present status of the town.
Included among these sites are the 100 Ton Gun, Europa Point, and Parson’s
Lodge. The latter is most especially significant mainly because it
practically tells the story of Gibraltar from the time when it was fist
conquered by the Moors up to the present period when it is being governed
by the British government.
Little Gibraltar
Many people refer to Parson’s Lodge as the smaller version of the
town. To understand why this is so, one needs to take a look at the
main physical features of Gibraltar. The land is basically made up of
limestone, very much unlike those making up the surrounding lands.
Formed millions of years ago, the conglomerate of limestone helped
shape the Gibraltar landscape, ultimately helping the town assume its
present form and its present position as a geographically strategic
location.
Gibraltar is also a land surrounded by many caves, with more than 140
being discovered thus far. These caves, especially those that have
large openings, have become suitable shelters for many inhabitants
with their relatively cool atmosphere.
In the same way, Parson’s Lodge is basically made up of limestone and
is famous for its maze of caves and underground tunnels, which is what
the entire town of Gibraltar is composed of. The place also happens to
be strategically located as it practically covers the whole Rosia Bay
area, the only known anchorage in Gibraltar.
From the said standpoints, it becomes easy to understand why Parson’s
Lodge is called mini Gibraltar. However, one should also realize that
the place is but one of the many areas in Gibraltar that helped create
the basic geography of the town. Several other sites have also made
their share in shaping Gibraltar as it is known today. Nevertheless,
Parson’s Lodge is admittedly a standout largely due to its impressive
structure and its ancient but rich past.
The Glorious Past
Parson’s Lodge stands approximately 120′
above sea level atop a cliff along Camp Bay, and situated just
south of Gibraltar. It runs from the north end up to the
opposite corner of the town and is considered as the most
impressive fortress, composed of several batteries that appear
virtually impregnable. Additionally, there is a maze of tunnels
located underneath that has become the storage house of many
artillery weapons for well over three centuries.
Prior to its present status as a main artillery storage place,
however, Parson’s Lodge started off as a wall built by the Moors
around 1333. The conquerors then were well aware of how
important it is to protect Gibraltar from invaders who could
launch a sea attack. A protective wall then would be a
sufficient initial blockage.
When the Spaniards retook Gibraltar from the Moors, they too realized the
strategic significance of the walls, eventually making improvements on it
and recording it as a Spanish artillery structure sometime in 1627.
When it was the turn of the British to occupy Gibraltar in 1704, they too
realized that Rosia Bay, being the only suitable anchorage in the whole of
Gibraltar, needs to be protected from invaders. For that, the old Spanish
artillery structure underwent further enhancements, thus was born Parson’s
Lodge, with its many batteries and tunnels. The term Parson’s Lodge,
however, was not used initially to refer to the imposing structure — the
name came into being many years later.
The Early Years
In 1720, records at Parson’s Lodge showed a storage of four guns and 2 x
18 pounders in its northern side. A set of 2 x 12 pounders was added
shortly thereafter.
By 1744, there were about 19 guns recorded north of Parson’s Lodge. Two
more guns were stored on the southern side, in the Camp Bay area.
First Appearance
In 1761, the term Parson’s Lodge was first used, appearing in an untitled
book that was stored in a garrison library. Ten years later, the name made
an appearance in the list of armaments as recorded from the storage house.
In both instances, the name appeared to refer to the monastery and chapel
honoring St. John the Green, although for still unclear reasons.
Parson’s Lodge Enhancements
Recommendations meant to further improve the battery that is Parson’s
Lodge were made in 1840. Major General Sir John Jones made the
recommendations and these were implemented two years later, leading to
eight more guns being placed on the surface.
It took approximately thirty more years before further enhancements were
made on Parson’s Lodge. These resulted in the placement of three
ten-inched RML or rifled muzzle loading weapons, each of which weighed
approximately 18 tons.
Capable of firing 400 pounds of projectile that can reach 2.6 miles, the
guns were placed behind the Gibraltar Shields, a term used to refer
to a unique weapon shield composed of a teak and an armour plate. They
remained in use until 1891, and a year later, they were removed from their
position. At around this time also, several living quarters have been put
up just below Parson’s Lodge.
As nineteenth century drew to a close, Parson’s Lodge was able to
transform itself into a coast artillery structure complete with its very
own searchlight powered by a personal generating facility. Needless to
say, the artilleries were shoved into virtual disuse.
However, the two world wars that
eventually took place caused the return of Parson’s Lodge as
a primary instrument of the military. Specifically, World
War II necessitated the building of more batteries inside
Parson’s Lodge. The year 1941 saw the second battalion of
the light infantry of Somerset making further enhancements
on the structure to accommodate the placements of newer and
more modern weapons like anti-aircraft and anti-tank
artillery. In addition, searchlights targeted against
aircrafts were put in place inside the battery.
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With the ending of the war, Parson’s Lodge gradually lost
its significance. Sometime in 1956, the British military
made a decision to abandon the site, although it is still
periodically being used as a training ground for various
military exercises.
Inside the Lodge
As mentioned earlier, Parson’s Lodge is made up of numerous batteries,
tunnels, and several other sections, many of which are quite prominent and
have strategic importance, especially during the early years of Parson’s
Lodge. One of these is the searchlight section where searchlights
measuring 90 centimeters each were housed between the years 1898 and 1956.
Meant to cast light on approaching enemy ships, the searchlights each
carried a candlepower estimated at 200 million in addition to a
concentrated three-degree beam capable of being projected from as far as
5,000 yards away. |
Another section is the Lower Parsons section located underneath the
building where a large gun weighing six pounds was placed intended to
monitor possible landing positions around Rosia Bay. The gun is said to be
capable of firing a six-pound shell over a distance of 2.27 miles. The
area was in use from 1941 up to the time when World War II came to a
close.
Still another section within Parson’s Lodge is the C18th Gun Position
where a 24-pound bore gun was put in place to provide protection to the
Camp Bay area. The gun was known to have fired a projectile having the
same weight that covered a distance of 1.13 miles. The area was in great
use during 1725, but fell into disuse by 1840 due to the creation of a
bigger battery on the left side.
Meanwhile, the two-tiered Six-Pounder Weapon Position area is composed of
concrete blocks where six-pound guns were mounted with the express purpose
of preventing enemy forces from landing on Camp Bay and on Little Bay.
Records indicate that the area was constructed by the light infantry of
the Somerset brigade in 1941 Christmas Eve.
On the other hand, the personnel shelter section is reserved for all
Parson’s Lodge personnel who are not directly involved in weapons
guarding. The structure is made from corrugated iron and is also called
“elephant shelters” basically due to its shape.
There is also the MMG Area occupied by a Vickers MMG (Medium Machine
Gun) that can fire a .303 inch magazine at a speed of about 500 rounds a
minute. The gun position was guarded by rifle men who were additionally
provided with Lee Enfields that contain .303 short ammunition.
Then there is the main battery section of Parson’s Lodge built around 1842
that was consequently replaced by a larger version based on the
recommendations made by Major General Sir John Jones. The succeeding
battery was largely made of limestone and was able to accommodate several
ten-inched RML weapons with a weight of 18 tons each.
The area for RML guns that is found inside Parson’s Lodge where ten-inched
guns of RML (rifle muzzle loading) types were positioned are said to host
guns that were manufactured in Woolwich. The said guns were capable of
firing a 181 kilogram ammunition that can reach a distance of as far as 4
kilometers away.
Other notable areas inside Parson’s Lodge are: The shell store, where
several solid projectiles were kept; the cartridge store, which stored
bags containing two cartridge types, the 44-pound type and the 70-pound
version; and the expense magazines section, where both projectiles and
cartridges of various makes were kept hidden.
Additionally, two more sections were built. One, a cartridge hoist area,
where an apparatus was put in place for use in hoisting cartridges meant
for the guns positioned above Parson’s Lodge. Two, the lighting passage
area, where the stores were situated and intended to be the main route
that should be taken when going to the various gun positions.
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Present-Day Parson’s Lodge
It is quite inevitable that with the passage of time, many of the basic
features that made Parson’s Lodge such an impressive structure in
Gibraltar has slowly deteriorated.
Still, a great deal of these features have been restored in recent years
mainly through the efforts of two concerned entities, namely, the Friends
of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Heritage Trust. Through them, Parson’s
Lodge has been able to regain much of its former glory, such that it is
now one highly visited site in Gibraltar. |
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Specifically, the Gibraltar Heritage Trust took over the work that the
Gibraltar Museum Committee was originally carrying out before its
dissolution in 1989. Much of the work involved providing protection and at
the same time doing restoration works on all known ancient monuments in
Gibraltar, a function that the Gibraltar Heritage Trust has been
discharging quite efficiently.
In 1989, the Trust gained membership in Europa Nostra, a European body
that aims to make the public become more aware of the concept of national
heritage and the many benefits that can be derived from it. It has since
become an active participant of the body, being present in all of its
annual meetings, and presenting several projects for possible citations.
In 1996, the Trust submitted a total of four entries to the annual Europa
Nostra Awards, of which one was given recognition. Out of a total of 123
entries coming from 20 different European nations, the Gibraltar Heritage
Trust project involving the restoration of Parson’s Lodge was given
recognition. The Europa Nostra presented the Trust with a diploma citing
it for meticulously undertaking major repair works on the damaged portions
of Parson’s Lodge, acknowledged as a historic fortress in Gibraltar, and
for its dedication to the efforts of reconstructing the site, thereby
preserving a known Gibraltar heritage.
Much of the restoration work done on Parson’s Lodge involved repairs on
the ammunition shelters and on the living quarters, both of which were
located beneath the battery. Major repairs were also undertaken on the
area that used to host three RML weapons that each weighed 18 tons.
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