3-016-855 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Destruction of the fortifications of the Ionian Islands: the escarp of the Keep of Vido after the explosion on March 11, 1864. View of the site '...after the explosion of three tons of gunpowder there, when the massive stone walls were, in one moment, reduced to a heap of ruins...The conduct of her Majesty's [British] Government in demolishing the fortifications of Corfu before handing over the Ionian Islands to Greece has lately been made a subject of Parliamentary debate...During the last three weeks not only have the fortifications of Corfu been partially demolished, but hundreds of large guns and immense quantities of stores have been shipped for removal, and the English troops have begun to take their departure...There can be no doubt that the inhabitants of Corfu will sadly miss the accustomed presence of our military, who used to spend at bast £200,000 a year in that town, besides what might be got from an occasional visit of the Mediterranean fleet. But they have chosen annexation to the Greek kingdom, and their wish is to be fulfilled before the end of this month'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.