Ferrol

Ferrol, a Spanish seaport in Galicia, stands on a narrow arm of the sea, 11 miles by water and 33 by rail NE. of Corunna. A poor fishing-town until 1752, it now is one of the strongest fortified places in the kingdom, and possesses one of its three largest arsenals (with dockyards, naval workshops, &c.), while the annual trade reaches about £500,000. The harbour is safe and capacious, and has a very narrow entrance, defended by two forts. The town has manufactures of naval stores, linen, cotton, and leather, and exports corn, brandy, vinegar, and fish. The inhabitants (26,372 in 1887) are engaged principally in the arsenal and in the sardine fishery. In 1805 a French fleet was defeated by the English off Ferrol. The town was taken by the French in 1809 and 1823, and in 1872 was the scene of a republican rising.