The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-02-02 00:00:00

THE BOMBARDMENT OF MAHANOVO

A correspondent writing to the Standard under date
Mahanovo, Dec.ll, says
We have had a visit from the French here and the
fort has been subjected to a furious bombardment,
over 200 shells having been fired; but the affair was a
completefeasco, and the French steamed off, leaving
1 the nova flag still flying. I take the first oynortunity
1 of sending off a detailed accaunt. About eight o'clock
on the morning of the 12th of last month two
steamers were sighted steering direct for the harbour.
For come time we could not make out what they were,
but at last the telescopes brought the tricolour
! in view, and we knew then that they were
I French men of war, and that it meant a loom-
bardment. They anchored opposite the Hova
1 Fort, which Is separated from the mainland by
about two hundred yards of water and in.
stantly there was immense excitement amongst the
natives. Women and men could be seen in all direc-
t tions running for the interior, and carrying such of
their belongings as they were able to carry, Exactly
at 1.10 p.m., the first shot was fired from the frau.
dreztil. It fell in a direct line for the Hove flag, but
rather short. This was followed in a few minutes by
the second from the Nievre, the other ship, and fell
right into the town ; they then kept on pounding away
alternately until five o'clock, by which time they had
expended fifty-six large shells and a great number of
small ones. At half•past five a column of smoke was
seen to rise from the town, and we thought that one
of the shells must have vet fire to a house which had
been smouldering, and now broke into a blaze ; but it
was not so ; it appears the Hovas fired some huts
themselves for what object could not be ascertained.
All nighi the Hovas kept a sharp look out to prevent
any surprise. At half-psst six next morning, the 13th,
the Nievre commenced with a large shell, and con-
tinued firing till eight o'clock, by which time she had
got rid of twenty. During the same space of time the
Vaudreuil had been pegging away with small shell at
a dense bush which is directly in front and under-
neath the fort, and at eight o'clock four boats left the
Vaudreuil and made for shore. When they arrived
within a quarter of a mile from the fort they opened
fire from some small guns which they carried in
their bows. One of the boats pulled in close to the
shore, and the officer on board began to gest!culate
and beckon to us but, .finding he could not make
us understand what he wanted, he came into the
breakers and landed a sailor on a strip of sand
which lies in front and is parallel to the houses
of the white population, and is divided from the
mainland, where the houses stand, by a river,
which it would be necessary to cross to reach us.
The sailor came along this step, being covered by
the guns from the boats (which, of course, brought
them to bear on the houses) ; and when he arrived
opposite the British Vice Consulate, and was about to
cross the river, our Consular Agent, Mr, Connorton,
went out and stopped him, asking what he wanted.
Ha said he wanted to know whether there were any
strangers in Bilahanovo who wished to leave, but the
Consular Agent replied that we were all British sub-
jects here, and did not want to leave. The sailor
then returned and got on board. This energetic act
on the part of the Consular Agent is; considered
to have saved much British property, and perhaps
some lives, for if the French sailor had been attacked
whilst on our side, the guns would have fired to cove
him, and much damage would have been done.
The boats now began to approach closer to the fort,
when suddenly a loud report was heard, and a lot of
smoke arose frone a corner of the fort, the Hovas
having at last retuned the fire. This unexpected
episode seemed to stagger the attacking party, for
they instantly began rifle firing, but at 10.40 they
; ceased, and returned to their ship, nothing more being
1 done until the evening, when they lifted up anchor,
and sailed away. The official statement of the Hove
lose is one pig killed and one wounded. The shells do
not appear to have done much damage. On the 23rd
the Nievre returned, fired twelve shells, and then
steamed away northwards.