The Sun.
London, England, 1855-09-22 00:00:00

SIEIPIT EIM It EiTt 22, les 5:

THE SEA OF AZOFF.

The following letter, addressed to a Parisian
journal, contains an account of the operations of
the allied fleet in the Sea of Azoff, down to the
latest date received from that quarter :
YENIKALE, Sept. s.—The allied flotilla, consisting of

three English vessels and three French, ran into Ghen-
itschi to within a distance of 1,000 or 1,100 yardes and
bombarded the place again. What had been only da-
maged before by cannon shot has now become a prey t•
the flames. Two Russian post-houses and some barracks,
laid out for a winter camp, have met with the same fate
as the town, of which the outline alone remains. The
enemy never thought of replying, and, as we say at sea,
contented himself with at once clearing oat.
After the bombardment, our flotilla proceeded to the
Spit of Arabat, as an expedition had been planned with
the object of burning some small vessels discovered in
the Putrid Sea and a village placed on our maps to the
south-west of Ghenitschi. A strong westerly wind, how-
ever, put an end to our preparations for the attack. It
is impossible to conceive the sudden rapidity with which
these storms arise in these parts. The fathomless water
soon rolls in alternate mountain and abyss, and renders
the navigation excessively dangerous. We have happily
to deplore no loss of life, and got cheaply off with three
or four boats.crews well ducked. The project, however,
is but postponed.

The Sea of Azoff is perpetually agitated by our little
steamers. Nothing escapes their vigilance, and if I have
no great exploits to recounts because such are materially
impossible, I have at least the satisfaction of assuring
You that every one 'does his beat. Each of the squadron
cannonades, burns, and destroys all that it sues, and it
is evident that the sum total of these partial operations
inflicts on the enemy considerable damage.
Our Cimmerian Bosphorus presents a more animated
appearance since the arrival of our steam gun and mor-
tar boats. They take a tack every day into the Strait,
and exercise their guns. They will be of immense ser-
vice at the proper time and place. On the 17th of last
month they were laid broadside on off Kertch, at about
one hundred yards from the quay, and exhibited a for-
midable row of ordnance. This precaution was the re-
sult'of the appearance of an advanced guard of infantry
and irregular cavalry, and a movement of Cossacks,
which led us to anticipate an attack on the town during
the night, with the intention of burning our corn-
stores. Everything was ready for the reception of
the marauders, bnt the night passed off tranquilly,
and the next morning the enemy was seen at a little
village two or three miles to the north of Yenikale.
This force was estimated at 6,000 strong, and was
supposed to be the advanced guard of Wrangel's
corps. We were expecting him for four-and-twenty
hours, and the whole camp was in delight. The ships
Moored off had orders to be iu readiness to support us.
We were all deceived, and 'learnt that the enemy had
beated a retreat, carrying off with him a few Tartars
and some head of cattle, for which we intend to make
him pay very dear, if he should again make his appear-
ance. It is very doubtful, though, if the RussiaLs will
overcome to attack us, as they know we are perfectly
entrenched, anti even strong enough to offer him battle.
Whatever may happen we are ready for it, and are long-
ing for something to break the monotony of our ex-
istence.

In my next letter I shall probably be able to give you
an account of the result of a litt!e expedition that we
know to be in preparation, though the quarter his in-
tended for is of course kept secret.

MARKET NETVS.-(THIS DAY.)

COVENT GARDEN.

There was an extensive business transacted in to-day's
market, as follows _ _ _

FRUIT.—Pine apples, English, 3s to Gs par lb • colonial
do., is to 3s each ; hot-house grapes, is Gd to 4s OE per lb ;
foreign ditto, Od to Os Od ; melons, is Od to 5s each;
peaches, is Od to Os ; nectarines, ls. Od to 4s per dozen ;
apples, is Od to 3s Od per half sieve ; pears, is Od to
3s per half sieve ; Orleans plums and green gages is to 2s
per punnet ; apricots, 6d to 2s Od per doz. ; common plums,
2s 0 I to 4s per half sieve ; cherries, 2d to 6d per pound;
lemons, 4s to 8s Od per 100 ; oranges, 8s to lls per 100; fil-
berts, 5s to Os per doz. lbs ; cobnuts, Os to Os ; almonds,
Os to Os per lb. ; walnuts, 6d to 10d per 100; figs, 1 s Gd
to 4s Od per doz ; strawberries, Od to Od per pottle ; goose-
berries, is Gd to 2s Od per half sieve ; currants, 3s Od to
4s Oct per half seine • raspberries, 2d to Gd per pottle.
VEGETABLES.—White cabbages, 6d to is 3d per dozen;
red ditto, 2s to 5s Od per dozen ; French beans, is 3d
to is 10d per half sieve ; brocoli, Od per bund. ; potatoes, 50s
to 95s per ton ; vegetable marrow, 4d to is per doz. ; peas,
35 to 5s Od per bushel ; broad beans, is Od to is 9d per half
sieve ; turnips, 2d to 4d per bunch ; carrots, 4d to 6d per
bunch ; cucumbers, Os ld to Os 6d each ; garlic, 6d to
Os, 8d per prund ; spinach, is Od to 2s Od per sieve ;
old onions, Os to Os per bushel ; new ditto, 2s 6d to 4s
per doz. bunches; leeks, 2d to 3d per bunch ; shallots,
4d to 6d horse-raddish, 2s Oct to 4s Oct per bundle ; parsley,
2d to 3d per bunch ; celery, Os 9d to is 3d per
bunch ; endive, is 3d to 2s 3d per score ; beet, is Od to 2s
per doz. ; parsnips, Os 6d to is Od per dozen ; small
salad, 2d to 3d per punnet ; mushrooms, is 6d to 2s Gd per
pottle ; artichokes, 4s to Os per doz. ; cabbage lettuces,
10d to is 6d per score ; sorrel, 6d to is per half sieve ;
radishes, is to is 3d per dozen hands ; tomatoes, is to 2s
Od per punnet ; chillies, is to is 6d per 100; Brussels
sprouts, is Od to 2s Od per half sieve ; capsicums, is to 2s
per do/en; walnuts pickling, Gd to is per 100; cauliflowers,
3s to 6s per doz.

ttrb tibtftvn

SUN OFFICE, Six o' Clock.

DESPATCHES FROM REAR
ADMIRAL LYOII S.

( From a Supplement to Friday's Gazette.)

ADMIRALTY, SEPT. 22.
Despatches, of which the following are copies, have
been received from Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons,
G.C.8., Commander-in-Chief of her Majesty's shipe and
vessels in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Royal Albert, off Sebastopol, Sept. 10.
Sir,—Of the operations on shore, whiCh have produced
the successful result of the singular and memorable siege
of Sebastopol, her Majesty's Government will be informed
by General Simpson ; but it is my duty to report to the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty what has taken
place afloat and on the seaboard under my own observa-
tion.

It had been arranged by Generals Simpson and Pelis.
sier, Admiral Bruat and myself, that precisely at noon
on the Bth instant the allied fleets should open fire upon
the Quarantine Batteries that enfiladed the approach
of the assaulting columns ; but unfortunately the wea-
ther, which had been fine for some days, changed on the
morning of the attack, and a north-west gale and heavy
sea rendered it impossible for any vessels to act upon
batteries situated on the lee shore of this exposed road-
stead. It will, however, appear by the enclosed reports
from Captain Wilcox, of the Odin, and Captain Digby,
of the Royal Marine. Artillery (whom, as well as the
junior officers mentioned by them, I beg leave particu-
larly to recommend to the favourable consideration of
their lordships), that the mortar vessels attached to the
fleets kept up a very effective fire from their position in
the Bay of Strelitzka.
As the day closed, things in the harbour seemed to be
in the same state as they were in the morning, but,
during the night, several heavy explosions were heard,
and at dawn we observed that the fortifications on the
south side were in flames, and that the six remaining
ships-of-the-line had been sunk at their moorings, leav-
ing afloat no more of the late Russian Black Sea Fleet
than two dismasted corvettes and nine steamers, most of
which are very small.

Soon afterwards the enemy were seen retreating
across the newly constructed bridge, until the south side
of the harbour, on which the naval and military arsenals,
the public buildings, and the town of Sebastopol are
situated, appeared to be completely evacuated, and then
the southern portion of the bridge was hauled over to
the north shore.

It is now my pleasing duty, to render justice to the
admirable conduct of all whom I have had the hondizr
and happiness to command during the last nine months
of this arduous struggle, and whose duties I shared in
before ; for although, with the exception of the Naval
Brigade in the camp, whose gallant bearing from the
beginning, under the command of Sir Stephen Lushiug-
ten, has been beyond all praise, and never mere so than.
during the last two bombardments under the command,
of the Hon. Captain leppel, it has not fallen to the lot
of the Navy on this occasion to perform distinguished
deeds of arms such as those of their gallant' brethren
in the Army ; still, whilst straining every nerve, night
and day, under very trying circumstances, to supply
the means for carrying on the siege, in the glory
of which they could not share, the generous dives
or encouragement, unalloyed by envy, has always been
heartily given in the day of triumph ; nor have sympa-
thy and assistance ever been wanting in the hour of dis-
tress and suffering ; the same sentiments have pervaded
all ranks—captains, officers, seamen, and marines, all
agreeing with each other in following, as I believe I have
said once before, the excellent example set them by my
able second in command and coadjutor Rear-Admiral
Houston Stewart.

Perhaps in closing this letter I may be permitted to
indulge in the expression of the gratification I feel in re-
flecting that under all the circumstances to which it
lutes, my gallant colleague Vice-Admiral Bruat and I
have gone heart and hand together, and that the most
perfect understanding and hearty co-operation in the
great cause of humanity in which we are all engager,
have invariably prevailed throughout both fleets.—l am,
&c. (Signed) EDMUND LYONS,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty.

Strelitzka Bay, September 8, 1855.
Sir —I have the honour to report that, in pursuance
of the orders which I received from you this morning, I
opened fire from the mortar vessels, at 8.30 a.m., upon
the Quarantine Battery, and a general and more rapid
fire, from noon until 7 p.m., upon the Quarantine Bat-
tery and Fort Alexander. The two outward vessels
were much exposed to the swell which set into the bay,
rendering a large object desirable, and I therefore di-
rected their fire between Artillery Bay and the Bastion
de Quarantine, where I had been informed that Russian
reserves were placed.

The force of the wind and heavy swell which pre-
vailed were singularly unfavourable to accuracy, and
the general satisfactory nature of the firing was due to
the ability exercised by the officers of Royal Marine Ar-
tillery who conducted it ; and I beg to submit to your
notice the names of First Lieutenant Starr, First Lieu-
tenant Hewett, First Lieutenant Brookes, First Lieu-
tenant Festing, and First Lieutenant Pitman, the offi-
cers employed.

The non-commissioned officers and gunners also per-
formed their duties in a most satisfactory manner ; and
I may especially mention the services of Colour-Serjeant
Horner, who, in the absence of an officer, undertook the
firing of the Firm, mortar-vessel.
Owing to the state of the weather, and the smallness
of the means at their disposal, the officers in command
had to overcome great difficulties in maintaining the
position of their vessels ; and I beg to be allowed to
express my high opinion of the services of MessrQ. Leet,
Creagh, and Pearson, Brent, Hart, and Vaughan (mates),
who do ably performed these duties, and greatly contri-
buted to the success of the firing.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) G. DIGBY,
Captain Royal Marine Artillery.
Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons,
Bart., G. C. B.

Her Majesty's ship Odin, off Sebastopol,
Sept. 8, 1855.

Sir,—I have the honour to acquaint you that, acting
in pursuance of your directions, and in conjunction with
Capt. Bachm, commanding four French mortar-vessels,
you did me the honour of placing under my command,
till 7 p.m., against the Quarantine Fort and outworks,
as well as upon Fort Alexander and the upper bastions
(where, near to the latter place, a large number of the
enemy's reserve were posted), keeping their fire so com-
pletely under that only a few shot and shell were re-
turned, and but few fired into the French battery and
advanced works before us. A small number of canvasses
were also successfully thrown into the town and upper
bastion, which produced a conflagration of some extent.

To Capt. Digby, Royal Marine Artillery, and the
artillery officer in each vessel, I must attribute the suc-
cessful practice, and lam glad of the opportunity of
bringing to your notice the indefatigable and zealous
conduct of Mr. H. K. Leet, Mate, in charge of the
firm, who, from being the senior officer of the mortar
vessels has always ably carried out my instructions ;
and I am happy to bear testimony to the praiseworthy
conduct of Messrs. J. B. Creagh, T. L. Pearson, H. W.
Brent, A. F. Hart, and Henry Vaughan, Mates, in
charge of the other mortar vessels.

I have also great pleasure in stating that no casualty
occurred, and that neither the mortars nor vessels were
at all damaged by the heavy firing.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) J. A. WILLCOX, CaptAin.
Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, Bart.,
&c., &c., G.C.B.

PROCEEDINGS OF NAVAL BRIGADE.
Royal Albert, off Sebastopol,
Sept. 10, 1855.
Sir,—l beg leave to enclose, for the information of
the Lords;Commissioners of the Admiralty, copy of a
letter from Captain the Hon. Henry Keppel, reporting
the proceedings of the Naval Brigade under his command,
on the 7th and Bth instant, and enclosing a list of casu-
alties.—l am, &c.,
(Signed) EDMUND LYONS.
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.