The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-27 00:00:00

THE FURY CHASED BY RUSSIAN WAR

VESSELS.

The Malta Mail, of April 'lpublishesthe
fol-
lowing
" On the 10th inst. H.M.S. Fury left the fleet at
Baldchik, on a cruise, unaccompanied by a French
steamer. On the afternoon of the 11th the western
coast of the Crimea was distinctly visible, and in order
not to be seen or discovered too soon, she stood off from
it. During the night, and in the early part of the
morning, she gradually edged in to the shore, but
the brilliancy of the moon was a great drawback
to her plans. On the 12th, at 3 30 a.m., she steamed
ahead at full speed, and at 5 30 came in sight of Sebas-
topol. By this time the sun had risen, and the morning
was unclouded, so that objects at a long distance
were ♦isible.
"Two merchant vessels were seen coming out of
port, with the Russian ensign flying, one of which, the
Fury, carrying a splendid breeze with her, rapidly

seared. The Fury passed her, and took a survey of
the harbour, at a distance of two and a half miles. Two
brigs of war were under weigh, and the two frigates
stationed at the mouth of the harbour were crossing
gallant and royal yards. The Fury at six a.m. changed
her course, hoisted Austrian colours, and bore down on
the merchant ships ; and an hour after, having taken
the crew on board, six in number, and made the ship
fast by a hawser, she towed the schooner off at full
speed. The two brigs, followed by two frigates, were
then seen to leave the harbour under all plain sail, and
a steamer getting up steam. Wind W. by S.—force
five to six—the most favourable that could blow for
them at 7.35.

" It was now clear that the frigates were rapidly near-
ing, the Fury being three miles or more to leeward.
Immediately the fore and aft sails were set, the prize
cut adrift, and the steam brought to its highest pres•
sure, so that she absolutely flew to windward. Still the
frigates seemed to be gaining ground, and the posi-
tion of the Fury became highly dangerous, as now
two miles were the most that separated the enemies.
Tons of water were started, all except two days' re-
quirements, which was a considerable assistance. At
B'3o one of the frigates dropped, and the two brigs ;
but still the other kept in the wind's eye. At 8.54 the
windward frigate and the Fury came so close as to
be almost in range of the long guns of the latter, when
the word "open fire" was given. Immediately steady
aim was taken, the sternmost gun fired, and down
dropped the shell, ayard distant from her lee bow, which
seemed to many to have struck her.

" She immediately replied by firing two, but the shot
, did not reach half- way ; and hoisted the Russian ensign
at her main, which was responded to by reloading with
rapidity, and again firing. The shot still fell a little short,
and more to leeward, and again she fired 4 guns at the
Fury, and another ensign was run up to the fore, for
which she received another shell, but still fell shorter,
as the Fury was rapidly, and at every moment, increas-
ing the distance. Having thus gone to windward of
her, but still out of range of her guns, the idea was en-
tertained of engaging them with long guns, but at this
time the steamer was rapidly advancing, which would
tend to distract attention from them, so that it was con-
sidered more prudent to remain content with taking a
merchant vessel and six of their countrymen prisoners,
from beneath their fortifications, as the distance at that
time was but a mile arid a half at most. When the
Fury went alongside the schooner, she hauled down the
Austrian colours, and hoisted the English ensign, which
seemed to startle them a little in harbour—so to judge,
at least, by their rapid movements.
" The rage of the Russians must have been great, as
they seemed sure of catching the Fury ; and the hoisting
of three ensigns was an angry attempt to challenge a
steamer of six guns to engage a frigate of 40, and she
to windward : but they may thank the appearance of
the steamer, or they would not have returned unin-
jured.

" On the 13th, forenoon, two strange steamers were
reported as being seen it: the north-east direction, and
the Inflexible was ordered to get up steam ; but they
soon disappeared."