The island of Tabarca lies close to the shore, the strait by which it is separated is about a quarter of a mile broad at the west end, widening to nearly a mile at the eastern extremity. It has a small harbour, much frequented by coral boats when the weather is too rough to permit them to pursue their avocations at sea, and vessels of a larger size sometimes come under the shelter of the island to the east.
It is about 400 feet high, rising to a peak in the middle, on which are the picturesque ruins of a mediæval castle. There are no permanent residents save the Miralai commanding the troops, who occupies the only habitable room in the castle, and an Italian, Signor Lancella, who acts as agent of the Bey and supplies the fishing boats with such provisions as they require.
In ancient times Thabraca was a Roman colony; and after the defeat of Gildon, under whose yoke Africa had groaned for twelve years, by his brother Mascezel, the former endeavoured to effect his escape by sea, but being driven by contrary winds into the harbour of Tabarca, he was taken prisoner and put an end to his life by hanging himself, in A.D. 398.
El-Edrisi (1154) speaks of it as a strong maritime place moderately peopled, and the environs of which are infested by miserable Arabs, who have no friends, and who protect none. It was even then a port of refuge much frequented by Spanish vessels engaged in the coral fishery.
The manner of fishing was exactly the same as at the present day. He says: ‘They fish by means of implements, to which are attached numerous bags, made of hemp. These are put in motion, the threads become entangled in the coral, upon which the fishermen pull up the instruments and extract the coral in great abundance.’[237]
In 1535 took place the celebrated expedition of Charles V. against Tunis. On the conclusion of peace the perpetual right of fishing for coral was conceded to the Spaniards.
About the same period Jean Dorea, nephew of the celebrated Andrea Dorea, captured on the coast of Corsica the no less celebrated Algerian corsair Draguth. On the partition of the spoil he fell to the share of one of the Lomellini family of Genoa, which exacted as the price of his ransom the cession of Tabarca. This was granted by Kheir-ed-din, and confirmed by the Porte.
The Lomellini came to an agreement with Charles V., who undertook the fortification and defence of the island, and built the citadel still existing, principally with the stones of the ancient city on the mainland. The Genoese agreed to pay five per cent. on all the commerce, which they made. Soon, however, the Spaniards neglected to keep up the works or pay the garrison, and the flag of Genoa was substituted for that of Spain, and though the governor was still named by the latter power, he was obliged to render his accounts to the Lomellini.
The inhabitants of the mainland owned allegiance neither to the Bey of Tunis nor to the Dey of Algiers.
Peyssonnel visited it in 1724, when it was occupied by the Genoese. He describes in detail the fortifications armed with bronze cannon, bearing the arms of Lomellini, which he says ‘make the island strong and sure, and in a condition neither to fear the Turks nor the Arabs of Barbary.’ It was inhabited by Genoese, and had a garrison of 100 soldiers, 350 coral fishers, 50 porters with their families, making a total population of 1,500 men.[238]