The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-10-21
236
Destruction of Bomarsund.

have been destroyed, and the works which
are said to have cost nearly S6, 100000, ant
upwards of % years in construction, have
been reduced to shapeless masses Of smoul
derng bricks and stone in almost as man,
hours. The work of destruction commenc
cd on Wednesday, the 30th, when Fort
Prasto, (Which had scarcely been injured, eX-
cept very little in the roof,) was blown up
about d-day.
A rumbling sensation was first felt, imme-
diately followed by two tremendous explo-
sionS, and the fort was seen to rise into the
air IN an indescribable mass, with dense
column of black dust and smoke from out
of which beams of timber and blocks of
stone shot in all directions-a strong wind
carried the cloud to the east, perhaps to de-
post some of its particles even as far as
st. Petersburgh, and nothing remains of
what was Prasto, but two little bits of wall
Of about 20 feet high, rearing their heads
out of the mound of ruins.
The immense stores of Bomarsund have
been thrown open TO the country people, who
focked from all quarters with every excuse
for cart that can be got to carry away the
meal, barley, oats, &c. They are allowed
to take as much as they please, and, though
hundreds have availed themselves of the op-
portunity, there is still enough and to spare
tor hundreds more. This is very season
able gift to the poor wretches, many of
whom but for this must have starved during
the winter.
On the lst Of Sept, Fort Nottich, which
was so galantly preached by our small bat
terry, was blown up at 10 A. M; all exper-
iment was made to blow it up with half the
quantity of powder used al Prasto, and the
explosion of course was not so violent nor
quite as efectual, but the walls were thrown
down.
On the I'd, at 7 P. NJ, the mines under
Bomarsund (Which had been ready for some
days. were fired, and the greater part of this
strong hold was blown up with five or six eX-
piOsioRs. 1t was nearly dark when this took
place, and the effect was more magnificent.
None of the shell had been removed from
the fort, and when they were blown into the
air, those projectiles were banging off in all
directions, sparkling like bright star at the
moment of their bursting. The ruins after
ward took fire and burned with great vio-
lence. About II the fire reached another
magazine, which sent the burning timber
and hot stones like meteors through the air.
A portion of the center of the tower had
been purposely left for Admiral Chads to try
the effect of broadsides of the Edinburgh.
On Monday the 18th, he laid his ships
within 500 yards, and fired seven broadsdes,
which made complete breach in the wall,
knocking several embrasures into one, and
proving pretty clearly that, if the other forts
Of the Emperor are built like this, they are
no match against our ''wooden walls. .
The Admiral then tried broadsides at 1000
yards, but neither the firing nor its effect
was satisfactory. | am sorry to say that
four natives were blown up with the fort
They had been repeatedly warned to go
away, but secreted themselves in hopes, |
suppose, of plunder, not believing the mines
We're to be sprung. One escaped by some
mira Gle to tell the tale
The foundations of the forts in contem-
plation, some of which are already 20 feet
high, and were to contain l60 guns in case
mates, are being blown up by some few sap
pers and miners left behind for that purpose.
1t is now quite certain that nothing more is
TO be done in the Baltic this season. and it,
is said, and believed, that the sailing ships
and small steamers are to run home on the
5th, to be followed by the Others about the
middle of next month Correspondent of.
London Times.
One great and vital question was decided
on Tuesday last q the electiOn and that 10 !