The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-08-23
Torpedo Against Torpedo.

Another of the Turkish navy has dis
covered that the most effective way to
beat off an enemy's torpedo boats from
an iron-clad is to use torpedoes against
them. The Russians became. aware of
this new plan of their enemies upon at
tempting to destroy Turkish monitor
stationed near where the Aluta River
flows into the Danube. 1t was while
their troops were crossing the Danube,
and, as the monitor had been causing
them much annoyance by constantly
Smelling their batteries and destroying
their boats, it was deemed necessary to
drive away the too active monster lest
she should inflict infinitely greater DAM
age by destroying the only bridge across
the river. A correspondent of the Lon
don NeaOs describes the conflict which
followed: The Russians built four tor
pedo boats, and their crews put the
boats in ambush behind the island. When
the monitor came steaming along cut,
the torpedo boats dashed upon her. To
the surprise of the Russians, the Turk
ish sailors exhibited none of that con-
fusion which usually characterizes them
upon the sudden appearance of an enc
my's vessel. Evidently they had a
trained and cool commander. The crew
quickly prepared the vessel for action,
and then defended her with bravery
and skill that won the admiration of the
Russians Her commander began his
defense by thrusting out from the mont
tor torpedoes On the ends of long spars,
thus threatening the boats with the dam
ger of being blown into the air first, at
the same time opening terrific fire on
them with small arms and a mitrailleuse.
He moreover maneuvred his boat in a
very skillful manner, and with such dex-
terity that with the torpedoes protecting
the monitor, the Russian boats were un-
able to approach near enough to it to
discharge their torpedoes. He besides
tried to run the boats down, and nearly
succeeded in doing so. The cause of
this magnificent defense was soon ap-
parent. The commander of the mont
tor was a European; the Russians
thought him to be an Englishman-a tall
man, with long beard. He stood on
the deck of the monitor, with his hands
in his pockets, giving his orders in the
coolest manner. The commanders of
the torpedo boats continued their at
tempts to destroy the monitor for over
an hour, fitting round the monitor and
constantly seeking to get at her, but
without success. The monitor was
equally active in trying to run them
down; avoiding collision by quick
movements, backing and advanc-
ing, turning, and blowing
the water into foam as she pursued or
avoided her tiny antagonists lion at
tackled by rat. At one time a torpedo
boat found itself between the monitor
and the shore. The monitor instantly
began backing down upon the boat
with the intention of crushing it against
the bank. just at this moment the en-
gineer of the, launch was wounded.
There was some delay in starting the
engines, while the current carried her
head around in such a position as to
make escape apparently impossible.
One of the crew sprang out into the
shallow water and pushed the boat, and
at the same moment the engines were
started. The boat scraped the monitor,
but escaped. Meantime Russian Off
Ger had sprang ashore, and had emptied
his revolver, firing at the exposed Cap
tain of the monitor. The Captain finally
took off his hat and bowed, evidently
not having been struck by bullet
Later, however, the gallant man seems
to have been killed or wounded, for he
suddenly disappeared from the deck
The monitor then retired precipitately
from the action. The Russians loss
, was only four or five wounded men.