The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-20 00:00:00

THE BOMBARDMENT OF ODESSA.

The following is a letter from Mr. James T. Hart
who had charge of the rocket boat off Odessa. It
is given from the Hastings News :
"Sunday Evening, off Odessa, April 23. --I now with
great pleasure communicate to you the news of the
action. We left the ship at daylight yesterday (Satur-
day), and were towed in by the Tiger. The action com-
menced about 6.45 a.m. We in the rocket boats imme-
diately cast off, and pulled it towards the beach, to keep
clear of the shot from the forts. When about 400 yards
from the shore* we instantly opened fire on the Russian
ships lying at anchor inside the mole, also on the bar.
racks, which the merchant masters told us contained
six hundred soldiers. About the third rocket set fire to
some government .stores, which were soon in a blaze.
We kept up a constant fire on the barracks and
ships, which quickly shared the same fate. About 11.50
a.m. the first division steamed out, and the second came
in and opened a fire, which was kept up with great
spirit until about 12.30 p.m., when the first division
came in again and commenced afresh. On the Samp-
son's nearing us we were ordered on board to get some-
thing to eat, not having had anything that day, as we
left the ship so very early and suduenly. There being a
strong breeze and a heavy swell, we were all very wet
and uncomfortable. When we arrived on board the
Sampson's men behaved very well to us, giving each
Man a glass of grog and a biscuit. I fared very well,
knowing some of the officers on board. They gave
me all they had, namely, some " salt horse," as
Jack calls it, and a tumbler full of good port wine
which I soon dernoliAied. We did not remain more than
ten minutes, and left the ship to fire at the fort and
shipping, being in better spirits. We pulled in boldly
for the beach to set fire to some ships in course of build-
ing. When about 400 yards distant some heavy horse
artillery opened a very heavy fire on the rocket boats of
shell, shot, grape, and canister, The first shot. went
over the boats ; the second, a shell, burst close to us,
breaking six oars, and wounding a few men. Had we
been ten yards nearer, I do not think a man would have
been left to tell the tale. One shell burst close along-
side my boat, and a part of it very nearly hit the cox-
swaln and myself on the head. We immediate]) pulled
sharp round to get under cover of the Sampson, which
I am happy to say we accomplished, having sustianed
but little damage. On the Sampson seeing the
horse artillery open fire on us, she immediately
opened shell and shot on them. The first shell burst
amongst them, and no doubt mast have caused great
loss of life. They quickly retreated, and we stood in
towards the mole, and fired away at the. foit and ail)! ,

ping. About a quarter before one p.m., the imperial
fort and mole blew up, no doubt killing some hundreds
of the artillery. We gave three hearty cheers, which
were returned from the steamers. The guns were 01
course then silenced '; the ships stood in closer, and com-
menced firing on another fort and the ships inside, which
were totally destroyed. Wh6n the fort blew up, it was
a most frightful sight, some of the pieces fell very nearly
on board my boat, also a sponge belonging to one of the
Russian guns,"