The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-04 00:00:00

RUSSIA IN THE BLACK SEA.

The Cologne Gazette, of the 30th ult., contains
the following details relative to the positions of
Russia on the eastern coast of the Black Sea :
" Anapa is the most northern point on the eastern
coast of the Black Sea. It is a celebrated fortress,
which the Turks originally constructed to protect their
commerce with the tribes of the Caucasus. Since then
the Russians have made it the most important military
position in Circassia. The harbour is open to every
wind, and is useless except in the fine season. At Anapa,
where the western chain of the Caucasus commences, is
situated the real limit of the Russian empire, as it is to
the bastions of that fortress that extends the coast, so
dreaded, of the Circassians. In spite of their utmost
efforts, the Russians have only succeeded in establishing
isolated forts, the garrisons of which cannot stir out
without running the risk of being cut off. This coast
extends from Anapa to Gagi, a distance of 300 kilo-
metres (187 English miles). Between these two places
the traveller passes over a rocky coast, crossed by valleys
and crowned with verdant hills, and forming a singular
contrast with the masses of white chalk which serves as
their base. These hills are covered with a rich vegeta-
tion and impenetrable forests, amongst which are dis-
persed the cabins and straggling villages of the Circas-
sians. The first port on the coast is Sudjouk-Kald,
which the Russians have defended by three redoubts.
In this port the Russian squadron captured the English
vessel the Vixen, an event which produced so great a
sensation i 1837. Some way further down is the bay
of Guelendjik, the finest and safest on the coast, and the
most important station of the Russian flotilla appointed
to watch the movements of the"Circassians. Further on is
the bay of Pehiat, at the entrance of which the Russians
have had a fort since 1837. Along the coast inhabited by
the formidable tribe of the Chapsuks, are the little bays of
Nonlan, Djonhou-hon' Kodos, Subachi, Naidau, and
ma,mai. This part of Circassia, which is marked by a
rich cultivation and numerous villages, opposes the most
determined resistance to the Russian rule. Beyond
Mainai the western coast of the Caucasus assumes a more
imposing character, the rivers being larger, and the gene-
ral aspect of the hills more rugged and lofty. First of
all is seen the fine valley of Sutchali, then the,fort of
Navakinskoi, Cape Senghi, called the Cape of Hercules
by the ancients, and the bays of Komomichelaz and of
Kinschuli ; next, the sombre fortress of Gagi, com-
manding the entrance into Circassia on the side of Aba-
sia, behind which rise the precipitous rocks which con-
stitute the most elevated points of the Caucasus. In
quitting Gagi, the mountains of Abasia are !met with.
The princes of Abasia haVe been forced to admit the
sovereignty of the Czar. Pozunda, famous for its church,
which is said to have been founded by the Emperor Jus-
tinian, is the first important point of Abasia • then comes
Bomborai, a fort, the garrison of which is decimated by
sickness ; next, Guelendjik, one of the best bays on the
coast, where the Russians have a fort built in 1575 by
the Sultan Amurath ; and lastly, Iskuriez, where the
learned imagine was founded the celebrated Greek colony
of Dioscuria, known in the time of the Romans by the
name of Sebastopolis, about 25 kilom. (15k Eng. miles)
below Cape Iskarias. The river Gilazkba, forms the limit
between Abasia and the principal point of Jamurzalchaz
extending to the banks of the Ingur, at the mouth of
which is the fort of Inaklia. On the left bank of this river,
commence the alluvial plains of Mingrelia, which join at
a distance of 150 kilom. (93i Eng. miles) in the interior
those of Smeretta,and Gouriel. The mountains of the
Caucasus on the north, and those of Akhalzick on
the south, surround this magnificent basin, watered
by the rivers Khopi and Rion (Phasis). Redout-
Kal6 and Poti, situated at the mouth of these two rivers,
form the principal points of landing. But it is only
small vessels that can enter, on account of the sand-
banks which exist there. Large vessels are forced to
anchor at 600 metres' distance from the coast. Since
the suppression of the transit and free trade in 1832,
Redout-Kale and Poti have lost all commercial impor.
tance, and all prospect of a happy future. It would
seem as if the Russian Government intends to abandon
these towns to their sad fate. They are surrounded by
marshy plains from which exhale fetid miasmata. At
1 20 kilom. (B,t English miles) above the Phpsis, the little
river Nassa-Nelea (Lisis, of Arrjan), separates the
Russian territory from that of Turkey. In proportion
as Fort Nieholas, which is the last military station of
Russia in the Gouriel, and which the Turks have lately
seized on, is departed from, the low grounds which sur-
round Mingrelia disappear insensibly. The Akhalzick
mountains approach the sea, and at Batouni enormous
masses of rocks rise above 'the coast. From Witzeh,
the shore falls from the east to the west, as it bends to
the south. At the western extremity of this curve rises
Cape Joros. In the middle is situated Trebizond, be-
come, since the commercial blockade of Russia one of
the most important places of the Black Sea, being the
great entrepot of all the articles of importation and ex-
portation from Northern Persia and Turkey in Asia.
• England has seized on the trade of Trebizond, which
• amounts to 50 millions of francs, and which is carried
on with Constantinople by a regular line of steamers.
' Trebizond sends into every part of Asia the products of
• British industry, so that England has the greatest in•
terest that this place should not fall into the power of
the Russians. But, abstraction made of that considera-
tion, the situation of Russia, in appearance so powerful,
is exceedingly critical on the eastern shore of the Black
Sea. She possesses there only detached forts, and the
Turks have taken one of them, that of St. Nicholas,
which the Russians, notwithstanding all their efforts,
have not as yet been able to retake."

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

CUSTOM HOUSE, JAN. 3.

ENTERED INWARDS.—The Respeto, from Terceira ;
Rattler, Callao • Sir Robert Peel, New York ; Richard
Cobden, do. ; Rainbow, do. ; Sir James RosS, Calais ;
Wilhelmine Marie, Monsoorcottah ; Comet, Algoa Bay ;
I. 0., Fay& ; Dometia, Madras ; Thomas Mitchell, Cal-
cutta ; Lady Newborough, .Messina ; Sarah, Malts. ; Guil-
harmina, Oporto; Tartar, Sydney; Cado, St. Vincent ;
China B , Antwerp ; Palmerston, Moulmein ; Catherine,
St. Übes; Union, Seville ; Black Cat, St. Michael's.

ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING.—The Sir Robert
Peel, for New York ; Isis, Portland Bay ; Waterwitch,
Melbourne.

CLEARED OUTWARDS WITH CARGO - The Ann, for Dun-
kirk ; Henriette, Arandal ; Martha, Antwerp ; Helene,
do. ; James, Dunkirk.

LIVERPOOL, JAN 3.

The Albert Edward, arrived from Bombay, having made
the passage out and home in seven months and one day,
having left Liverpool June 2.
The Fingal, from Quebec, for this port, was abandonel
at sea, Dec. 21; crew taken off by the Euxine, arrived
here. The chief mate of the Fingal was washed overboard
and drowned a few days previous to her abandonment.

RAMSGATE, Jan. 2.—The steam-tug has been endeavour-
ing all day to tow a wreck of about 200 tons, floating on
her beam-ends, from the fairway, at the outer edge of the
Goodwin ; but has been obliged to abandon her, and it is
believed she will be still be drifting in the navigation.
BRISTOL, Jan. 3. The Mary Ann Peters, from Quebec
to Sharpness Point, picked up part of the crew of the
barque Grace M'Vea, M'Cowle master, from Quebec to
Greenock, and brought them in safety. The remainder of
the crew are supposed to have been saved by a barque
bound to Bremen.
The Leipzig (s. s.) was aground on the Longlutzen Sand,
six miles below Bremerhaven, and the river full of ice ;
assistance has been sent for.
The William, from Uleaborg to London, was lying in
Themi Roads previous to the 17th December, water-
logged and abandoned ; assistance ),as been sent to en-
deavour to secure the vessel and bring her into safety.