Rosia Bay

Rosia Bay on Gibraltar's western side is where HMS Victory was brought in after Trafalgar in 1805 with Nelson's body aboard, the only anchorage on the Rock deep and sheltered enough to take her. The naval victualling yard around it, with its water tanks and store buildings, was built to supply the fleet. The mole and the old buildings survive and the bay is quiet now. The victualling yard's water tanks were among the largest built anywhere at the time and supplied the whole Mediterranean fleet.

Background

Rosia Bay, once called Rosia Harbour, is the only natural harbour in Gibraltar. In 1799 John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent, recommended moving the Royal Navy Victualling Yard here, just south of the New Mole. The contractor John Maria Boschetti built the Rosia Water Tanks between 1799 and 1804, and the whole complex was finished by 1812. The tanks were demolished in 2006. Four cottages went up beside them in the 19th century to house victualling staff. Parson's Lodge Battery, from the 18th century, stands at the south end of the bay. At the north end, Napier of Magdala Battery was completed in 1883-1884 and holds a 100-ton gun, one of only two left in the world.

Source: Wikipedia, "Rosia Bay"

What's there

• The anchorage - the bay Victory was brought into after Trafalgar.
• The victualling yard - the naval store buildings and water tanks.
• The mole - the arm sheltering the bay.
• The Trafalgar connection - the 1805 return with Nelson's body aboard.

When to go

April to October is the mild season. The bay is quiet year round. Late afternoon light on the water is best.

Things to know

Much of the naval yard is derelict or redeveloped. Interpretation on the ground is limited. The bay itself is small and the visit is short.

Nearby

Camp Bay is north, and Europa Point is south.

Key facts