City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom
The Cádiz Memorial
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 13, 2017
1. The Cádiz Memorial - English side
[English side:]
To commemorate the Raising of the Siege of Cadiz, in consequence of the Glorious Victory obtained by the Duke of Wellington over the French at Salamanca, on the 22d July 1812: This Mortar, cast for the destruction of that Great Port, with Powers surpassing all others, and abandoned by the Besiegers on their Retreat, was presented as a token of respect and gratitude by the Spanish Nation, To his Royal Highness the Prince Regent.
[Latin side:]
Devictis a Wellington Duce Prope Salamancam Gallis Solutaque Exiude Gaudiam Obsidione, Hanc Quam Aspictus Basi Superimpositam Bombardam, Vi Praeditam Adhuc Inaudita, Ad Urbem Portumque Gaditanum Destrucudam Conflatam Et a Copiis Turbatis Relictam, Cortes Hispanici, Pristinorum Haudquaquam Beneficiorum Obliti, Summae Venerationis Testiminio Donaverunt Georgio Illus. Brit. Princ. Qui, In Perpetuam Rei Memoriam, Hoc Loco Ponendam, et His Ormamentis Decorandum, Juissit.
Erected 1816.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US.
Location.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 13, 2017
2. The Cádiz Memorial - Latin Side
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Field Marshal Earl Haig Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Spencer Compton (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Monument to the Women of World War II (about 120 meters away); The Viscount Slim (about 120 meters away); Turkish Gun (about 120 meters away); George, Duke of Cambridge (about 120 meters away); Alan Brooke (about 120 meters away); Horse Guards Parade (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.
More about this memorial. The Memorial is located on the Horse Guards Parade Grounds, between Whitehall and St. James' Park.
Also see . . .
1. Siege of Cádiz (Wikipedia). "The Siege of Cádiz was a siege of the large Spanish naval base of Cádiz by a French army from 5 February 1810 to 24 August 1812 during the Peninsular War...." (Submitted on February 10, 2018.)
2. Cádiz Memorial (Wikipedia). "The Cádiz Memorial, also known as the "Prince Regent's Bomb", is an early 19th-century French mortar mounted on a brass monster, located in Horse Guards Parade in Westminster, London. It was first "exposed to public view" on 12 August 1816 and has been classified as a Grade II listed building since 1 December 1987. The monument
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 13, 2017
3. The Cádiz Memorial - Wide View
"The mortar was one of a number of giant siege weapons used by the French army under Marshal Soult during the two-year siege of Cádiz in Spain. Made in Seville in March 1811, it was spiked and abandoned when the French retreated after the Duke of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Salamanca in 1812. It was designed to be capable of throwing shells over what contemporaries described as "the immense distance" of 3 miles (4.8 km) and could actually reach a range of 3.5 miles (5.6 km). Although the mortar and its siblings were intended to serve essentially as terror weapons to compel the inhabitants of Cádiz to surrender, they were, however, ineffective and inaccurate weapons...." - Wikipedia
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 13, 2017
4. The Cádiz Memorial - Wider View
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 13, 2017
5. The Cádiz Memorial - Detail
The memorial was constructed in the Carriage Department of the Royal Arsenal in 1814, i.e., the dragon and base were not part of the mortar when it was being used by the French in 1812.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 13, 2017
6. The Cádiz Memorial - Backside
First exposed to public view on August 12, 1816 - the Prince Regent's Birthday.
Photographed By George Cruikshank (via Wikimedia Commons), 1816
7. Saluting the Regent's Bomb uncovered on his birthday, August 12, 1816.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 10, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
