The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06 00:00:00

THE CAPTURE OF SFAX.

The detailed official report of the taking of Sfax,
which has just been received by the French Minister
of Marine, contains some interesting information con-
cerning the manner in which the landing was effected.
Vice Admiral Garnault, its author, states that, as
owing to the shallowness of the water, the boats could
not approach near the shore, a floating jetty was con-
structed out of the yard arms of the six ironclads.
Protected by the fire of the fleet, this improvised
landing-stage of about 100 metres long was successfully
steered to shore, and made fast by means of an
anchor.

The Malta Standard of July 27 gives the following narra-
tive of the capture of Sfax, from the pen of an officer who
was present :

"On the 15th inst the French shies, consisting of
the ironclads Colbert (Vice Admiral Garnault),
Trident (Rear Admiral Martin), La Golissoniere,
(Rear Admiral Conrad"), Survellant, Revanche,
Alma, Reine Blanche, Marengo, Friendland ;
boats, Chacal, Pique, Gladiateur, Leopard, and
despatch vessel Desaix opened fire at distances rang-
ing from 2,200 yards to 6,800, the former being the
distance that the gunboats were from the shore • their
fire was slow, the aiming good; firing ceased
six p.m.

"The bombardment having lasted ten hours, and
about 700 projectiles having been thrown in—the
European quarter suffered considerably, as it faces the
sea—nearly all guns were silenced—the Arabs fired
few guns, as their shots would not reach the French
ships.

"After dark the Arabs attempted to repair damage
done by the French projectiles, but the electric light
was brought to bear upon them, and the gun-boats kept
up a slow fire upon them all night. Boats were sent
in about 9 p.m., with rafts, oonstruoted with yards of
the ships, to perform the duty of a temporary jetty of
the town for the troops to land; the Arabs tried to pre-
vent them, but were held in check by the fire of the
Hotchkins guns of the boats, which were within 200
yards of the shore (the water is very shallow at Sfax).
"At three a.m. on the 16th the bugles sounded on
board the French ships, everything there was bustle,
all available boats of the fleet, together with the
caiques, were filled with troops from the Intrepide
and Sarthe (troopers) and the blue jackets, their
numbers being about 4, 000 ; at five o'clock a gun was fired
from the flag-ship Colbert, followed immediately by all
the ships; in a few minutes everything nearly became
obscured in smoke and the noise deafening—at the same
time the boats were approaching the town under cover
of the guns. At 5.45 they had approached within a
few hmidred yards of the shore, when the fire of the
ships had to cease, with the exception of the gunboats,
who were able to fire clemr of their own men. The'
firing was now taken up by the Hotchkins in the
boats, also rifle firing commenced (lipthe above three-
quarters of an hour nearly 1,000 projectiles had been
fired), and on the smoke clearing away, Nadour Tower
was seen to be down, also the esparto grass, which
lies in large Quantities on the right of the town, was
on fire.

"The French landed at the mole, and were received
by the Arabs, who had entrenched themselves behind
the mole and along the beach. Immediately the
troops landed they cleared the trenches and extended
themselves to the right and left. On the right they
met with a check and had to fall back upon their sup-
ports, losing several killed and wounded, but being re-
inforced they drove the Arabs off, who"were met by
the flank fire of the boats. The Arabs took to the
houses, wherkstreet fighting ensued.
- - - -

"On the left the Kasbah was held for a time, and
the French lying down on the beach under the cover
of a natural sea wall, exchanged firing with the Arabs
on the walls of the Kasbah. In the meantime a
body of French blue jackets blew the gate down with
a torpedo and made their way into the rear of the
Kasbah, taking the Arabs by surprise, who imme-
diately escaped over the wahs, probably by ropes, as
the height of them is 30ft. to 40ft.
In passing thiough the Kasbah a midshipman ob.
served a Tunisian light a match, which was in con-
nection with five and half tons of powder. He was
immediately. shot, and only just in time to save a
great explosion, which would have caused the death
of a great number of Frenchmen.
"At eight a.m., being then two hours after the land-
ing, nearly all firing ceased, with the exception of a
little from the houses where the Arabs had taken
refuge; they would not be taken prisoners, so died
where they were. A day or two afterwards 16 of
them were found in a cellar. They were offered their
freedom, but refused to come out, and fired at the
French as soon as they showed themselves. A torpedo
was thrown into the house, and the explosion blew the
house down and killed the Arabs.

"A great number of Arabs were killed altogether.
In the trench where the landing took place 100 bodies
were put in; perhaps 1,000 were killed altogether.
The French lost about 10 killed and 150 wounded. A
garrison is left at Sfax consisting of about 2,000
soldiers, but they dare not go outside the walls, as the
mounted Arabs are still very numerous outside.
"The fleet left on the 23rd at five p.m.' leaving the
Alma, ironclad, behind, and a large trooper, the
Intrepide."