Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-11-22
sEBAsToPoL.
Scott, in his book on the Crimea, says:

ton, about four miles long and a mile
wide at the entrance, diminishing to 400
wards ut the end, where the Tchernaia
Retchka," or Black River, empties ITSELF
The average depths about eight fathoms.
the bottom being composed of mud in
the centre and gravel at the sides. On
the southern coast of this bay are the
commercial, military, and careening har-
bors, the quarantine harber being outside
the entrance-all these taking a south
erly direction, and having deep water.
The military harbor is the largest, be-
ing about a mile and halt long by 400
yards wide, and is completely land
locked on every side. Here it is that
the Black Sea fleet is moored in the win
ter. the largest ships being able to lie
with all their stores on board close to
the quays. The small harbor, which
contains the naval arsenal and docks, is
on the eastern side Of the military har-
bcr, near the entrance.
The port is defended to the south by
six principal batteries and fortresseS,
each mounting from 50 to 100 guns: and
the north by tour, having from Is to 100
pieces each; and besides these there are
many smaller batteries.
The fortresses are built on the casemate
principle, three of them having three
tiers of guns, and a fourth two tiers.
Fort st. Nicholas is the largest, and
mounts about 100 guns: on carefully
counting them we made 1S6. By great
interest we obtained permission to visit
this fortress. 1t is built of white lime
stone fine sound stone, which be.
comes hard and is very durable, the same
material being used for all the other forts.
Between every two easements are fur-
naces for heating shot red hot; we mea-
sured the calibre of the guns, and found
it to be eight inches, capable of throwing
shells or 6S-pound solid shot.
There were in the military harbor Of
! Sebastopol IL line of battle ships, eight
irigates, and seven corvettes, comprising
the Black Sea feet, independent Of
steamers.
The town of Sebastopol is situated on
he point of land between the CONNER
cial and military harbors, which rises
gradually from the waters edge to an
!, elevation of two hundred feet. 1t il
more than mile in length, and its great
est width is about three quarters of a
mile, the streets entering the open steppe
at the south. 1t was partly defended on
the west towards the land by loop.
! holed wall, which had been pronounced
| by one of the first engineers of Russia as
| perfectly useless, and plans for complete
! ly fortifying the place in that direction
were said to have been made; but
whether the work has since been carried
out we know not, though we have deep
| conviction that strong defences will be
found to exist there by the time a be-
. sieging army arrives. These, however.
being hurriedly raised, can nei ther be of
sufficient magnitude nor strength to Of
fer serious resistance to a long-contin-
ued tire of heavy artillery, and, unless
these fortifcations are on a most exten.
sive scale, and embrace very wide Cir
cult, they may be commanded from so
many points that, attacked with heavy
guns of long range, their speedy re due
ton becomes matter of certainly.
None of the sea batteries or forts are
of service for defence on the land side.
Indeed. the great fort st. Nichola, has
not gun pointed in that direction, and
such an armament would be perfectly
useless if it existed, as that part of the
hill on which the town stands rises be-
hind it to a height of two hundred feet
In fact. all the fortresses and batteries,
both to the north and the south of the
great bay, are commanded by higher
ground in the rear.
The streets of Sebastopol are built in
parallel lines from north to south, and in
tersected by others from east and west:
and the houses, being of limestone, have
a substantial appearance. The public
buildings are fine. The library erected
by the Emperor for the use of naval and
military officers is Of Grecian architec-
ture, and is elegantly fitted up internally.
The books are principally confined to
naval and military subjects, and the
sciences connected with them, history,
and some light reading.
The club house is handsome externally.
and comfortable within; it contains q
large ball room, which is its most strik-
ing feature, and billiard rooms, which
appeared to be the great centre of at
traction but one looked in vain for read
ing rooms, filed with newspapers and
journals, such as are found in the clubs
of England.
There are many good churches and q
hne landing place of stone from the mill
tary harbor, approached on the side of
the town, beneath an architrave sup
ported by high columns. 1t also boasts
an allan opera house, the first perform
ance for ths season at which took place
during our visit; but we cannot say
much for the singing-;he company be-
ing third rate, and the voice of the prima
donna very much resembling, at times,
cracked trumpet. The house itself was
badly fitted up.
| 1he eastern side of the town is so
steep, that the mast heads of the ships
cannot be seen until one gets close to