The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-14
THE EUROPEAN WAR.
The Combined Fleets In the Black Sea.

The Combine sf Fleets In the Black Sea.
Accounts have reached Malta, April %, from the
British and French feets to the evening Of the l4h
inst, at which date they were lying distributed
between Varna, kavarna Bay, and Baljick, only
waiting lull in the weather to proceed to Odessa
the bombardment of which may be looked for by
the first arrival, II not perhaps, some attack Sc
bastopol and the capture of some Russian cruisers
According to the letters received, the Tiger ar
rived at kavarna on the 9th, and the Retrbuton on
the 18th, from Constantinople, the latter bringing
the overland London mail and dispatches OF
the oath OF March; and Geographic COM
munication, made through Belgrade to the
Sublime Porte, by its ambassador in London,
Of the declaration of war by England and
France on the 2sth March, which the AdmiraIs
considered sufficient to warrant the withdrawal of
the British and French Consuls from Odessa for
which purpose the Furious was despatched on the
9Th. She reached the oflng of her destination on
the sth, in the evening, h0sted flag Of truce, and
on the following day at noon, Lieutenant Alexander
was sent in, in boat bearing also flag of truce,
which was allowed to reach the mole, when he made
known to the authorities the object of his mission
and stated that he was also directed to offer to re-
ceive on board any subjects of the two nations who
mght u, ,ddeeslrQps Of accompanying them; where
not at Odessa, and ON his seeking informa-
ton, he received a peremptory order to leave the
Islmen were seen waving their hats and anxously
pressing forward, and making signs whenever
they could catch the eye of any of the boats crew,
but were kept back by Russian soldiers. The
information obtained showed of from the shore, to
return TO the Furious, in the offlng, and had only
reached the distance OF about half mile, keeping
the flag of truce still conspcuously displayed in the
bow Of the boat when the battery opened fire, and
though six shots were fred with pretty good aim,
and passed over and very near the boat, still not
OF them struck her, and she reached the vessel
in safety. II became then question whether the
Furious should stand in and return the fire of the
battery; but at this moment a frigate having been
deserted from the mast head, it was determined
to endeavor to capture her, which was consid-
cred more eXpedient, inasmuch as several Eng
lish vessels were observed to be lying within
the mole, upon whom no doubt the battery would
Geek to wreak vengeance. The flag OF truce was
thereupon Immediately lowered, and full speed
set | n direct course for the frigate, which,
however, perceiying the steamer, set all Gail she
could spread, and, favored by the wind carried Oh
and gained shallow water, into which, without
pilot, IT would have been sheer madness to follow
her. Much to the disappointment of all on board,
the Furious had to alter her course, and leave her
cowardly antagonist to be dealt with on some more
fitting opportunity.
1t viii! thus be seen that Russia has opened the war
with the Western Powers by wantonly firing on
small unarmed boat bearing flag Of truce; and
from the immediate neighborhood of this place of
outrage forty gun frgate, with her decks crowded
with sailors and marines, availing OF good breeze,
runs away from mere steam corvette-a fitting IL
ustration Of the Wanted bravery Of the Russians at
Snope, and proof, at the same time, that the Rus
SLAMS remember some other naval actions besides
that at Tchesne.
The Niger arrived from Constantnople about three
hours after the return OF the Furious from Odessa,
and brouph the official declaration of An hour
later the flag ship made general signal, War Is
declared" and in few minutes three hearty cheers
responded to il from the Albion, whereupon the
petty officers in the Britannia came aft and craved
permits sion TO follow the example, which being
granted, Admirals Dundas and Lyons assembled the
poop, the men rushed up the rigging, and cheering
If the most enthusiastic nature gave vent TO the long
rent up feelings all the other ships OF the fleet
took up the cheer, and on board Of some, venture
tars seen standing the trucks ofthe mast
heads and at tac very end of the yard arms to the
smaI astonislmentofth tie French The mendacious po-
Icy OF Russia and the outrage Of firing an unarmed
bel seemed to give depth to the cheers, welcom-
ing the intelligence 80 long looked for that the day
Of retribuii0n was at hand From the men remain
Jag doak it was evident that they expected a
similar dc nonstraton from the French, in order TO
make manifest to them how cordially they were
united, but II turned out that through accident
the Freach admiral had 1t received his dispatches
containing the Official declaration of war. Bat TOR
this circumstance the two fleets would have inrnc'
date,y got unesr weigh and proceeded to Odessa
The Aiaccios however, made her appearance on the
afternoon OF Me 10th, bringing this important 90
cument.
The Vengeance end London were despatched u
Wanna on the sta, but 8ere recalled on the Slth
after the arriva. from Constansnope OF the Ban
shee.
PERHAPS IL is 20 far fortunate that the French Ad
miras dcs MATCHES did encounter delay, for had IN
fe,s yut TO sea earlier they would have experience
ahur,,cane falling little short OF typhoon, which
surprising them otherwise than at anchor, Nigh
have been attended with very serious consequence
Ca the 18th the weather had moderated and a
though She sun set in acalm, yet there was dens
clord q dust seen the land to the noTthward
eastward, that portended coming strife among u
elensrts, which in less than half an hour relche
the shipping at anchor, in a sudden and tcrrif
sGua iIsm hali-l ast six to nine it blew hurfican
and TIE ky looked so wild and threatening q
around, % 70 equal typhoou in the Chinese sea
/. No damage, however, onsued.
Tie Fury has had narrow escape from the On
my. She had been despatched t. look into Sebast
POI, 70 witch the feet, reaching there On the night
Sic No. ApIil. At daylight on the 18th, 81
boldly stored direct for the harhor, and whcn wit
in about two miles OF IL, seeing merchant schoon
under Russian colors coming ont, boat from 4
Fury boarded her, took out the crew, and got her
tow. Another similar schooner was at this time
served TO be coming out, steering direct course
her cops0rt, and, Judging from the evident stir vii