The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-05-18
ODESSA.


The bombardment Of Odessa, important
not on account of its Notifications, which arc
inconsiderable, as for its being the great era.
nary of the Lower Danube, exhibits some
signs Of vitality amongthe allies in the Black
Sea. But it is a curious circumstance, as
remarked by Northern contemporary, that
ct seems to be the fate of the European war
to progress only upon pretexts:" Thus the
fleets sailed to Constantinople on account OF
connections in the capital; the
affair of Sinope was the pretext for entering
the Black Sea, and then fixing upon British
flag of truce the pretext for the bombardment
of Odessa. The Northern contemporary
wants to know what pretext they will find
for attacking Sebastopol. We should think
the declaration of war sufficient ''pretext,"
in most wars, for doing all the damage posi-
BILE, but such is clearly not the view of the
commanders of the allied fleets in the Black
Sea. .eaa ,,3gs7 ~ laa7 . ssss
The bombardment does not seem to have
produced much effect. ~ aazis-s .h
The London Times, after remarking that
it was to be expected that the combined fleets
would inflict severe blow on the enemy,
and prove with what overwhelming force the
naval ornaments of England and France are
provided, expresses its ''regret that the first
blow in the war should have fallen upon
commercial city, rather than military Or
naval post"
The Times givessthe following sketch of
Odessa:
The town of Odessa was founded by Catharine
Ii. after she had extended her dominions in 1892
the banks of the Dniester and in 60 years it has
become the emporium of the trade of Southern
Russia. Its population, exclusive of the garrison,
exceeds 20 000 and the total amount of its export
trade was valued in e49 at about four millions and
half sterling. The town is built On cliffs, which
rise to considerable height above the sea, and
form sort of amphitheatre around the bay. 1t is
fortified according to the modern principles of de-
fence, and the citadel, the east side of the town
commands the port. The port itself ls formed by
two large moles one of which is regularly defended
by parapet, with embrasures for cannon. The
anchoragen the hav is good, and the water sodeep
that vessels of the first class may lie within reach
OF the shore. 1t seems, however, by the brief &C
count which has reached us from Vienna, that the
only practicable harbor was attacked on the 23d,
by nine steamers OF the feet, and that one small
battery was destroyed and the ships in.the harbor
burnt. 1t is added that the city was bombarded
with shells and rockets for ten (or, as another &C.
count says tsco) hours; but, this Information has
probably been transmitted to Vienna through Rus
Isia we must suspend our opinion upon the details
of this affair until they are made kAown to us upon
more trustworthy authority. @
The Times is evidently dissatisfied with
the want of energy in the commanders of the
fleets. The probability is that those COM
manders are hampered by instructions from
fJ,o;r o,r,, Goxorpu, o,,to Rr;tiSh co;lors do,,+
generally need prompting to the discharge of
their duty.
The DANvILLE RAILROAD IRoN-Loss OF
THE VESSEL FREiGHTED WITH TT.-A day or
two since we gave some account of the dis
adventures of cargo of railroad iron con-
signed to the Danville Railroad Company,
and we now learn that the vessel having it
on board was lost on the 18th April. By re.
ference to the marine news the reader will
find some of the particulars of the loss of the
Harriet Augusts, the vessel in question, and
of the arrival of her crew at New York -
The news of the loss of the Harriet Augusta
was telegraphed to the papers of this city
yesterday morning; but the telegraph opera
tor blrundered so as to write that she sailed
from York instead Of Cork. We knew that
it was an error and omitted altogether the
place from whence she sailed, and stated sim
ply that she was lost at sea ON the 18th April,
and that her crew were rescued, before she
sank, by the ship Heidelberg. $50
The Harriet Augusta sailed from Liverpool
m January, with 600 tons of railroad iron for
the Danville Railroad. She encountered Sc
rfere storms, and put back in distress into the
Cove of Cork, after being out 81 days. She
unloaded, repaired damages, and sailed again
on the 10th April-encounter gale ON the
10th, and was fallen in with in a sinking con.
dition on the 18th, by the Heidelburg, which
took off her crew The II. A. sunk immedi-
ately afterwards. Her captain and crew
made narrow escape.
Z This cargo of iron seemed to be fated. We
trust this is the last mishap of the kind for
the panvine Railroad; for which delays now
are extremely unfortunate and vexatious
The Company was fully insured upon the
iron. e
Mrs. YoUNG.--We have already announced
that Mrs. CECILIA YOUNG, a vocalist of very
great popularity, where she is known. win
soon givea concert in this city She has won
golden opinions in both Baltimore and Wash
ington recently. Her concerts have been at
tended by crowded audiences, which raptur.
ously applauded her performances. AS she
is an American lady, we trust that our oiti-
gems may, on that account rather discrimi-
nate in her favor than against her. Music,
it's true, is branch of art in which our coun-
try is not very celebrated; but that should
only prompt us to encourage with greater
aiacr'ty and zeal every American whose tai
ents and accomplishments in the difficult art
entitie him or her to distinction. Mrs. Y. is
certainly one of this class. She not only has
. remarkably fine voice, but her education
has been good and her accomplishments are
worthy of praise.
SIR II. SEYM0UR.-It now appears that Sir
H. Seymour's Effects were not confiscafed.