The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09 00:00:00

THE PASSAGE OF THE DARDANELLES,

The following letter, written by an officer on board one of
the Ironclads, will be found of interest, as describing the
manceuvres of the fleet when ordered to the Dardanelles,
(says the Standard of Wednesday)
The morning of the 24th was calm and sunshiny, as
the fleet lay quietly at anchor in Vourlah Bay, ex-
pecting the arrival of the mail and news from
Europe, of which there was a most considerable
dearth. Towards noon the wind began to rise to
a stiff breeze, and while lunch was on a telegram
arrived, the upshot of which was that the signal
went up to prepare instantly for sea. Before five
o'clock the fleet, consisting of the Salamis, the yacht
of the Commander in Chief; The Agincourt, flagship
of Sir J. C. Comnaerell ; the Swiftsure Temeraire,
Sultan, Rupart, Hotspur, Ruby, and Research were
under weigh, and proceeded to the north past the
island of Leshos. The orders were to pass through
the Dardanelles peacefully, if possible; but to resist
any attempt at obstruction. It was a prevalent idea
in the fleet that permission had been granted in the
first instance by the Turkish Government, but that it
had been subsequently rescinded. The night of the
departure was stormy, and the day dawned bleak and
rainy, when the island of Tenedos came in view. The
Salamis steamed into Besika Bay for latest telegrams,
and on coming out the Admiral shifted his flag to the
Sultan. The Vice Consul from Chanak also arriving
and embarking on board that ship. The fleet then re-
ceived orders to prepare for action without any out-
ward demonstration, so that though the upper yards
were sent down the topgallant masts were left stand-
ing. The Salamis then steamed ahead to Chanak, to
give warning of the approach of the fleet. Early in
the afternoon the entrance was reached, the fleet
halted for a short time at the Rubicon, and then,
in good order, column of divisions line ahead,
steamed quickly into the Dardanelles. No attack
was expected from the forts Seddul Bahr, or
Castle of Europe, and Kum Keleh, the Castle of
Asia, at the entrance, as in any case the fight for the
passage must have really taken place at Chanak, the
narrowest part of the strait, the entrance being over
two miles wide. The guns were now loaded and run
not quite out but only level with the ship's side and
with the tompions in them. Those ships possessing
Gatling guns hoisted them into the tops, so as to
bring them to bear on the embrasures of the forts.
The men were cheeaul and steady, though at the
moment every man believed that fighting must ensue
with the terrible forts at Chanak; and yet none
knew whom they were going to fight, whether
Turks or Russians, nor why they were going to
fight them, for in the fleet there was no news
of what was going on in the world ashore. At
length the terrible Chanak was approached; and I
then at the last moment was seen a signal hoisted
from the Salamis, which told that the passage would
not be disputed. The Sultan then saluted the Turkish
flag and proceeded with the Salamis; yet, to the
general disappointment, the remainder of the fleet
was ordered to return to the nearest anchoage;
Besika Bay. During the journey the larger ironclads
had all of them their steam anchors ready so that
they might be anchored bow and stern of the forts,
to assault them, if required. There is an old castle
and a strong earth fort on the opposite side of the
narrows to Chanak, and the stream is known to have
torpedoes laid down, SO that the most sanguine could
not have expected a bloodless victory, had it been
necessary to force the Dardanelles. The fleet had
certainly a in,:st imposing aspect, and there was much
that was striking to be seen from the fleet itself. On
its return the day cleared up, and there was seen the
grand island of Imbos basking in the sun. "Est in
conspectu Tcnedos," for the peak was not lost sight of
from sunrise. If everyone at home only knew bow
anxious the crews of the ship are to get some real news
about the war they could not but admire the cheerful
obedience with which the men execute orders that are
unintelligible to them. It is interesting, as well as
important, to know that as the fleet passed between
the castles of Europe and Asia the guard turned out
and presented arms to the ships. The following was
the arrangement of the lines on approaching the
terrible forts of Chanak :
Agincourt. Sultan.
Swiftsure. Ruby.
Hotspur. Tdmeraire.
Research. Rupert.
There was a strong feeling in the fleet at the time of
the advance that the passage of the Dardanelles could
certainly have been forced had it been required. But
at Chanak there are two low forts, stated to mount
40-ton Krupp guns, and there is an upper fort, with a
plunging fire, so that it would have taken some time
to destroy them.

A Ministerial Council was held in Rome to provide
for public security in Sicily. Cases of assassination and high-
way robbery are frequent in the Provinces of Palermo and
Girgenti.

The following cable message has been received at the
London office of the New York Herald from New York :
"A storm centre, attended by heavy north-east to north-
west gales; snow and rain will probably strike British,
French coasts about 6th, followed by cold weather. Warn
vessels bound American ports northward of latitude Bd."