The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-03-20
sebastopol and the City of Caverns.

Sebastopol and the City of Caverns.
The harbor of Sebastopol, which is at the
present time the chief naval depot of the
Russian fleets in the Black Sea- is situated
on the southwestern coast of the peninsula
OF Crlmea. 1t is one Of the finest harbors
i'll the world. A narrow bay extends con-
siderable distance inland, where it is inter
sected by sort Of inner harbor which opens
nearly at right angles to the northward, and
extends some five miles into the country.
The depth of water, excepting near the
head OF the inner harbor, is about six or
eight tathoms. In the cove where the town
is built there is depth of five fathoms close
in shore. The bottom consists of clay and
mud and is free from rocks or shoals. At the
mouth of the port, as well as on its two
sides, and on the southern angle of its inner
harbor, there are strong, commanding for
tresses, on which are mounted many heavy
cannon, completely commanding the en-
trance of the harbor. Merchantmen are not
allowed to enter the port of Sebastopol, and
| 1T has become exclusively naval station.
In its inner harbor may at all times be seen
lying at anchor, goodly fleet of large ships
of war. The town of Sebastopol is situated
near the site of the ancient city of Cherson,
part Of whose ruins still rear their stately
visible agents. Sebastopol is we'll built,
with wide and regular streets intersecting
each other at right angles The houses are
mostly constructed in the modern Italian
style. The principal edifices are the adm-
ralty, arsenal, hospital and barracks.
The town of Inkerman (City of Caverns)
is one OF the chief curiosities in the vicini-
ty OF Sebastopol 1t is situated about a
mile from the head of the bay, near the banks
Of the small creek which flows into the har-
Dor. 1t consists of great number of apart
ments connected by passages and stairs, all
hewn out within ledge of calcareous rock,
which extends partially across the valley
Among these rooms are handsomely arched
Gothic chapels, with inches in various
places, besides great numbers of sleeping
rooms and cells-all excavated within the
solid rock. The highest part of the rock has
been cut away so as to overhang its base,
and thus render any ascent to it impossible
except by way of the narrow and at present
somewhat ruinous stairway within. On the
summit are the ruins of the old Castle of
lnkerman and one massive round tower,
about forty feet high, is still very imposing.
magnificent view may be obtained from
the top of the rock. The origin of Inkerman
caverns is not known, although they are
generally supposed to have been construct
ed in the early ages of Christianity by col
ony of Arians, who, fleeing from persecu-
tion entrenched themselves here, and for a
long time resided in this lonely vale, secure
in their rocky fortress, and happy in their
new religion. 1t is said that they first ap-
piled for permission to construct dwellings
TO the Government of Chersonesa but they
were told that there was no home for them
in that vicinity-that they might only
dwell among the rocks at lnkerman. The
Arlans took them at their word, and soon
excavated the cliffs into durable dwellings,
chapels, halls and corridors, causing the once
forbidden facades to appear, when illumi-
mated at night, like the front of stupend-
Gus palace Boston Journal.
Hon. John L. Taylor, Representative of
Al. II