Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-29

had brought back his division some DAYS be-
| fore, with the exception of one frigate, which
had taken shelter at Sinope, and great satisfac.
| ton had been expressed that at this inclement
season of the year the line-ofbattle ships and
| frigates were safe in harbor. 1t would seem
probable, therefore, that the squadron which
| the Russians demolished was convoy bound
with troops and arms for some point on the
coast Of Asia; and the most probable version
OF the story seems to be that the Russian cruis.
ers pursued this convoy into the roads of Sin
ope. 1t has also been suggested that, as Sinope
is naval arsenal it is possible that some Of the
vessels destroyed by the Russians were hulks
in that port
Sinope is the best harbor on the coast of Asia
Minor, situated about three hundred miles from
the Bosphorus, and at the harrowest part Of
the Black Sea, being only forty-two maritime
leagues from Sebastopol. The town of Sinope
IS bnilt on the isthmus of a peninsula jutting
out into the Euxine, and forming two capacious
harbors. That to the southeast is used by the
Turks as naval station. The town is a square.
fianked with towers, and covered by a small
citadel; but, in spite of the Importance of the
place, it has long been considered the most
vulnerable point on the whole north coast OF
Asia Minor. The land batteries, whatever thew
may be, appear to have been quite incompe-
tent to meet the fire of the ships, and this en-.
gagement furnishes another example of the
comparative weakness of ordinary fortified.
tons when opposed to modern naval gunnery.
Among the Turkish forts there are scarcely any
strong enough to beat off a line-of battle shin.
However, after the destruction of no less than
twelve Turkish vessels, without taking a single
prize in a state to be removed to Sebastopol.
the Russian ships were themselves in a condi
ton to reach that harbor with difficulty. The
havoc which is described to have taken place
shows that the ships on both sides we're fought
with great gallantry; and The Russians, who
hrst surprised every one by allowing themselves
to be beaten on land, have now surprised us
again by an exploit at sea. They had, how
ever, by their own account, vast superiority of
force, and Osman Bey, the Turkish com
mander, only surrendered at the last extremity
Whatever doubt may still prevail as to the
circumstances which preceded this action, and
the mode in which it was fought, there can be
very little as 10 its naval and political conse
quences. 1t tends to give the Russian navy an
ascendency on the Black Sea which the Turks
have hitherto disputed; and it calls upon the
maritime allies of the Porte, in very positive
language to supply that naval protection of
which she more than ever stands in need. If
1t should turn out that the Russian SQUADRON
fell IN with convoy bound for the army Of
Asia, and pursued these ships into Sinope, this
act may, in the present state Of warfare between
the two powers, be considered justifable But
if, as is equally probable, these Russian ships
OF the line were sent out from Sebastopol to
burn, sink, and destroy the Turkish SQUADRON,
not on the high seas or on the coast Of Circas.
STA, but at anchor in their own fortified harbor.
this proceeding of the Emperor of Russia goes
TO the last extremity of aggressive war. It dis.
poses at once of the assurances, till now so
pertinaciously repeated, of his desire to stand
on the defensive only, even since the Turkish
declaration of war; and, had it not been for
the presence of the English and French fleets
IN Beicos bay at this moment, the enterprise
which directed this blow against Sinope might
nave armed still more formidable attack upon
the Bosphorus and the capital. A more violent
and offensive measure could not have been re-
sorted to; and the importance attached to it by
Russia may be inferred from the fact that
Prince Menschikof the original author Of these
calamties, and the instrument of this fresh out
rage, hurried from Odessa to St Petersburph to
lay the news OF this victory at the feet Of the
Car.
Ihe effect this event will have in Europe is
not less serious. 1t dispels the hopes we have
been led to entertain of pacifcation, for we can.
not share the opinion that this success will
lower in any degree the temper or pretensions
of Russia, and it imposes upon the allied fleets
more preremptory duties. Indeed, as this blow
on the naval resources of Turkey interrupts
her communication with Trebizond and Batun,
it is highly injurious to her Asiatic army, and
all would be lost if the command Of the Black
Sea were suffered to pass into the hands Of the
enemy The British government and its al
lies will have, from the moment this intell.
gence is confirmed, to deal with state Of af
fairs far more decided and momentous than a.
ny which this question had yet assumed, and we
earnestly trust that the cabinet will prove it.
self equal to the emergency.
by Telegraph from London to Liverpool