Weekly Delaware State journal, statesman and blue hen's chicken. (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-18??, 1857-08-28
Raising the sunken Ships at Sevas-
topol,

SEvAsroroL, June so, 1867.
! entered Russia at Odessa by an Austrian
steamer As soon as our anchor was down, the
Quarantine officer was alongside, who, on ascer-
tanning the healthy condition Of the ship, gave
permission to the passengers to go on shore
We were all hurried into the boat, without lug
gage, and carried to the custom house landing
from thence into the long examining room un-
der charge of two soldiers. After waiting
nearly an hour, door opened and an officer
called the first person upon the passenger list,
who was directed to go into an adjoining room
for examination. Next was my turn two Off
GERS we're seated at desks writing down the
answers to the following interrogatories by tall,
low-looking fellow who spoke little English
Your passport? What is your age! Have you
any relatives in Odessa! What is your profess
siony How long do you intend to remain in
Russia All these being satisfactorily answered
md our signatures placed in the big book, we
were taken into another room and wait another
hour. Here, according to appearance, was
where goods were examined that were suspected
OF contagion, for by the looks of the prongs
tongs and probes hanging around, the place had
the appearance of IN inquisitorial dungeon. At
length the officer came with four soldiers and q
| young man for an assistant. Commencing with
No. l, he ordered his trunks opened and every
article turned upside down Everything having
PiNSN VI fiihtNu paper iOI rs hfupptT MhD iA1u
| by, the paper torn off and thrown sptefully
away. Books of every description are indis.
crimiuatcly seized and submitted to the Censor,
| who after a few days decides whether they car
be admitted into Russia.
| went from Odessa to Nikolaieff in a Tartar
wagon, and whoever has ridden in n Russian
cart knows what it is without further descrip
ton. On my arrival at Nikolaieff call on Ad-
miral Doetokoif with my papers. He received
me with much kindness, and was much pleased
to hear that our preparations for raising the
ships would soon be made at Seyastopol. He in
formed me that he had received despatch from
st. Petersburg informing him that Col Liant
had made application for permission to operat,
with company at Sevastopol the same dis
patch stated to Admiral Doetokotf that Mr.. Johr
Il. Gowen had the sole contract, and that an,
other person who entertained an idea of obtain
ing permission to raise any of the sunken pro
perty, labored under delusion, and no vessel OF
machines belonging to such persons would b,
permitted to enter the harbor. Admiral Boeto.
kof invited me to accompany him on tour o
inspection through the Navy Yard and Arsenal
There are two fine propeller line Of battle ship
of 100 guns each on the stocks to be launche,
in September; there are also two csryettes o
beautiful model. The Nikolaieif Dock Yard i
very extensive and admirably arranged in ever
department, and l think as fine naval depot a
any in Europe. l came to Sevastopol in u Gov
ernment steamer. My Russian pass, with o.
Introductory letter to Admiral Messer and Gov
ernor Vocalick, were handed to me previous I
sailing. | found Sevastopol truly q heap O
ruins, resembling Herculaneum and Pompei
more than modern city. The destruction o
five stone dry-docks by the Allies was in m
! opinion, piece of wanton Vandalism. Afte
waiting on the Admiral and Governor and pre-
scented my letter from Admiral Boetokoff, i'm
mediate orders were given to the Captain Of III
Port to furnish me with ten oared boat, for th
purpose Of making any examinations that
might wish
On the 9Th of June Messrs. Gowen and Copt
land, with their families, arrived Mr.. Cover
while in Paris on his way here, received an il
vitaton from his Imperial IIighuess the Gran
, Duke Constantine to visit him at the Tuillere.
The Grand Duke expressed to Mr.. G. wish tina
he would use all possible dispatch in clearin
, the harbor of SeyastopOl assuring him Of ever
assistance which the authorities could rende
him, remarking, at the same time, that he ha
been informed that applications from other CON
panes for PERMISSION to work in Seyastopol ha
! been made at St Petersburg, but on no consider
alton could permission be granted to another
Immediately after the arrival of Messrs Cove
and Copeland, We commenced preparing tw
gunboats and two transport briggs, the latte
about $50 tons each, with the necessary mean
for lifting. Before we had completed these YES
sells, the bark Susan Jane arrived with our steal
engines, chains, &C., material for two Aoatin
docks, with many other articles, which cam
. just in time, together with our carpenters an
caulkers, and after much perplexity and vi
necessary delay caused by the annoying Custom
House officers, we commenced dscharging on
machinery. As ii came out it attracted muc
o attention, for it certainly is superior to any
n have ever before seen. Our diving apparatu
i with the air pumps, is also of superior worI
@ manship We went out yesterday, July l, to tt
1 our divers, armor &c. The diver immediatel
e made fast to very large chain. We had u
q about forty fathoms, but night came on befor
= we could raise the anchor. Tomorrow mornin,
v however, up it comes.
:, We find it necessary to weigh the anchors
9 all the large ships before we get the chair
: under the bottoms.
Y do not expect the ships will be of niue
. value without considerable repairs, as the worn
, are terrible in this region, but the value Of Ii
0 materials will be immense. We are now prepa
ing for the celebration Of the 4th of July on q
s economical plan-probably the first at Seyast
d pol. We have invited the principal officials
. join us in collation..