a quarter to eleven
The joy of the garrison and inhabitants was intense although , among the latter , this was mingled with a certain feeling of uneasiness . Deserters had at various times brought in reports that , should Gibraltar be again relieved , it was the purpose of the Spaniards to bombard the town . Hopes were entertained that so wanton an act of cruelty would not be carried out , for the entire destruction of the town would not advance , in the smallest degree , the progress of the siege . At a quarter to eleven , just as the van of the convoy came to an anchor off the New Mole , Fort San Philip opened fire upon the town and , at the signal , the whole of the batteries in the forts and lines followed suit . A hundred and fourteen guns and mortars rained their shot and shell upon the town , and the guns of the batteries of the garrison at once responded . Several of the officers of the 58th , and their wives , had come up to Captain O'Halloran 's to enjoy , from the terrace , the view of the great convoy entering the port . All were in the highest spirits , at the thought of the abundant supplies that would now be at their disposal ; and in the belief that the Spaniards , seeing that the garrison was again amply provisioned , would abandon the siege , which had now lasted for twenty-two months .