The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-16
OPERATIONS IN THE BLACK SEA.


the naval 9Th OF both countries must be
tried in its present form, and there hardly
the lobe which has witnessed few naval contests
the Euxne Scarcely eighty years have elapsed siucs
the Porte consented to open the Black Sea the
chant Gags Of foreign nations which had been jsalousy
excluded from it since the expulsion OF the Genoess tbs
Sixteenth century The OF the Black Sea fee
Russia be said to date from the present
when the last war between the two empires took
place, sns the disaster of Navsriao had tly
deprived the Turks OF al means OF martins war.
fare. The passage o. the Bosphorus has been still
strictly guarded by the policy Of tbs Porte and
by treaty against the naval flags the other European
Powers: and believe that. with The exception OF
short cruise of the Blond frigate under Capt LYONS
about the year 1879, Eogsh shio has entered the
kuxine certainly has entered it for Purposes OF
In spite of the extensive trade carried b, Bri-
tish vessels with the mouths OF the Danube 0iessa
Che SON ard Tsganrog the navigation this sea- more
especially OF the Asia tic coast of it, Is little known; and
upon field in dering the fleets to ths
Inssian pre OF attack to which 1t has yet
been eSposeo There is doubt however that In strict
Conformity TO existing treaties, the Black Sea is
avail flags Of all the Powers and Rasa has 70 reason
70 express surprise that should avail ourselves of this
opportunity to in prove knowledge the subject
Indeed while two Russisn vessels, tbs Esvarn aud
tie Aurora continue week after week TO hang about
Ports n Dockyard for repairs, bound to
presume that an English squadron would in case OF
reed, find the hos pitabls reception from tn
Imperial authorities at Sebastopol The British steamers
Retrieution, Tiger, Niger, and Samson under the
nand Of Captain Drummond, had not started on their
cruise the 10th inst and IL Is possible that their
movements may hsys been countermsn led But the OBJ
ject proposed by Lord Sraford and Admiral Dundas
certainly no. hostile demonstration and va believe
these vessels 10 be sent merely TO take of Mr. Col
qshon late Consul General in the Prrcpass, and
to view the state OF the mouths Of tbs Danube
The Turkish squadron under Muschaver PAoha-better
known ia the itish service Capt. Adoiphus SlAde-
has sailed with warliks Intentions and, although
ts destination kno with precision, il it bs
true that = Russian squadron has out OF Sc
bsstopol, have doubt that Ad niral SHADES
destination will be wherever he can fall in with
the enemy This Turkish force consists it zee ns OF
line o. battle ship and ak frigates with pement
o. steamers, in which the Turks bstter provided
than the Russians, their engines being all worked
by English fremen Some Of the Turkish rigatss are
very pc ~erful vessels Captain Shades own ship il
double banked fgste Of seventy two guus Decks
large in all respects OF old seventy fouvs
These ships have been at during greater part Of
the summer which the larger line Of battle ships have
equal Russian force The discipline nd system on
board entirely borrowed from the English navy BY
the persevering ezertions Of Captain Ssde his prese
ceasor Sir Baldwin ker and Captain Borlase the in
structor In gunnsy The and officers Turkish,
and are described excellent arilerymsa, though
cond rate feamen; In that respect however they
perhaps not inferior TO their antagonists II the
Their houl rough and the winter set In With its
accustomed severity in that climate both squsdrons
would probably sner by the and the extreme
rigor Of oo)d than by the enemy.
The legendary fears Of antiquity nulaed AL the
monsters q the deep between the soun1 ling Syml
ssdss" the shores :a and modern scisnce has
not had the opportunities observation these
waters In other parts Of the globe No
doubt the errors OF this have been exaggerated and
II not mpestuous than ether bat II sub
ect to sudden and dense ogs, the rude and i'll
provided with hArbore and the climate in winter II in
tensely cold inomueh that Thermometer 30 etimes
descends to ahrenhe and the bays and estuaries
the north and western esast are extsut fro
An elective blockade OF these during winter
would Therefore he operation OF great difficulty 1t
seems, no be agreed for the present the bel
hgerents that restrictions to be put upon the
trade of neutrAs and with regard 10 Russian ships whs
Their ct wsr commerce, have doubt that the Off
dire citing the operations Of the Turkish squadron hads
rather that they should out u remain 10 har5or;
ter at in enclosed basia which affords them
escape and points Of refuge their fate would be
uHess they succeed in defeating the rarkis
The political and military eonss qusnoss 70 Russia Of
the loss Of the security she has hitherto enjoyed in the
Black Sea incacuabls She only to be in.
vulnerable her whole southern fer ntier but every
roIt which she 10 weakest lies open to direct alta
trade OF the whole Southern Russia aud OF the vast
sin waeree by the Dnsster the Bog the Dniepsr
b interrupted Odessa bs the mercy Of tho
enemy Sebastopo might be bockaa ed attacked and
there to believe that It's seward Of
inferior force to the weight Of metal which might b.
brought again It, while the place Is i'll fortified In the
TIE fort of zakoG the arsenal Of NcolasH and
the buieDs yards OF Chsrson said to bs very i'm
perfectly protected the Russians having apparent
tented with defencss sufficient to ward OF the
Turks. The whee Crea is peculiarly open to attack BY
and forces despatched for the defence Of that
sui. must cross the enormous stsppss which divide
it from Russia Proper. The towns on the Ns Of
Azo6 defended only by the diff Guilty Of navi.
eating that shallow inlet. Circassa, and Georgia,
and AL the country the Tereth to the Araxss are
held chiefly hy small for along the coast and BY sup.
plies ard reinorcements sent by Sea- An enemy dispos
ing ola competent martins force especially Il steamers
snc having his base OF operations the Bosphorus,
would be able IN spsce Of time varying from three
eight days to attack point about 600 mcs Of
coast at the ia es for carrying such operxtion
are in tie proportion OF the diameter to the crcum
ference OF the Black Sea- TIE Russians the contrary
If they had th, circum to defend and had lost
the command OF the would hnd themselves absolutely
precluetd by by the absence Of roads, and by
the wild nature OF the country from eecng any
taton Of force Tns policy Of the Emperor Nicholas has
mot fha Turk IN maid
capable perhaps. OF meeting the Russian
feet without disadvantage, but |. has brought into
the Bosphorus for the first time In history the most
powerful squadrors which England and France have
for many years, might, indeed. say ever sent to
Ee has contributed to place this force within reach
OF everything that is most vu aerAbls 10 his domnion
and he ha, directed The attention OF E1rops points
which place relations 70 the R sian empire In
light BY opening the Black Sea to foreign nsvss fer
greater blow has been given 20 the security Russia than
Turkey has received from the temporary occupation Of
the Prncpstes Tha; il the present position OF the
game We hope 1t not be necessary to give effect to
which be executed without ali the evils
OF but that su Ia be executed neces.
" With rspdity and success by the forces now in the
Turkish waters it is not posi- Die to doubt Thus Rus
sa has gained nothing by these trabsactioua for
enemy who hold the Black Sea against has his
gap the nearest Interests OF half empire while
she IA reduced 70 defensive attitude AMI must sventu
ally yield At the time il is tho presence Of the
combined sgusdrcrs Of England end Ffancs that places
Russia in this position and II IL the duty OF medating
powers 10 take that unfair advantage be taken Of
their support to rase praetcabs conditions to pro
long the
From the Paris Constitutional Nov. 30.l
According TO what oar correspondent. ia,orms the
Eoglish frigatss Reributon Tiger Samson and Niger,
of them bearing Admiral Dundas flag to enter
the Black Sea on the day whisb he srots-nsmsly,
the l6thn ord 10 explore the European coast far
as ysrra. Immedissly Afterwards division Of four
FRI nch vessels under the orders OF Admiral Hsmn,
10 ma he q timsr examination Of the coast FAR
Treszonde Other letters OF later cate by ons day. in
form that In ssct English division, composed OF the
four steamers which have Just mentioned, has pro
ceeced 20 the mouth OF the Sultns, where was said
that by order the Russian authorities, certainu
Der Ct trading vessels .den with had been de aimed
In fine other AFT med the contrary that
ese vessels were intended to second the Of
the turkish division which has been for time cruis
pg in the Black Sea.
NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS.
Hostihtiss have commenced ut ses. An Egyptian
steamship is announced To have captured the Russian
Vladimir and the Russian ship Of war Bess
arabia hes taken Turkish steamer