Ignorant and superficial persons, hearing merely that certain forts had recently yielded to a naval force, and taking no trouble to learn the real facts of the case, have paraded them before the public as proofs positive of a new era in military science.

This conclusion, however groundless and absurd, has received credit merely from its novelty.

Let us examine the several trials of strength which have taken place between ships and forts within the last fifty years, and see what have been the results.
In 1792 a considerable French squadron attacked Cagliari, whose fortifications were at that time so dilapidated and weak, as scarcely to deserve the name of defences.

Nevertheless, the French fleet, after a bombardment of three days, was most signally defeated and obliged to retire.
In 1794 two British ships, "the Fortitude of seventy-four, and the Juno frigate of thirty-two guns," attacked a small town in the bay of Martello, Corsica, which was armed with one gun in barbette, and a garrison of thirty men.

After a bombardment of two and a half hours, these ships were forced to haul off with considerable damage and loss of life.