Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-25
Odessa AS 1t Is.

CoryfsD0ndeacs Of Tie NeiC York Herald.
Nothing is at once so sad and strange as the as
pect of harbor completely empty. Can you
make yourself picture of what the bay OF New
York would be without the innumerable ships
which give it life ? Not that the immense Ameri-
can city can be at all compared with the Russian
town. although the latter boasts of some two hun
bred thousand inhabitants. Looking out to sea
from the boulevard and from the foot of the statue
of Richelieu, that is to say looking
down from an eminence of more than
hundred feet, two batteries mounted with heavy
guns are visible -one on the right, the other on
the left, surrounded by water. They make on the
water a yellow line with dark streaks, which are
the cannon commanding the pass. Between them
is the main basn completely empty; then on the
right nall basin, in which are four or five little
brgs and gaeys, frightened at fnding them
selves alone.
The ouv vessel in sight is stationed in front OF
the basins It's as round as piece Of money.
1t carries two smokestacks, has low bulwsiks and
one turret and, in fine, everything we are accus
toned to see on ship. But when the moment
for action arrives all this disappears, the deck is
cleared, the sailors disappear into the interior
aud the ship tuning on her centere, goes under
the water, which she enters as does a screw into
piece of wood. This singular ship IS gunooat-
She is the invention OF the Russian Admiral 70
mill whose name she bears. In the war about TO
begin she is destined to some strange experiences
Away on the distant horizon smoke arises from
the funnel OF the Stakourane, which also IS watch
ing the Turkish iron-clad fleet; and between the
Stakourane and the Popoh are innumerable tor
pedoes.
They are spread all over the port, and will GER
tainly keep the hostile trigates some four or five
M lies away from the town. This IS as lar As the
depth OF water permitted the torpedoes to be land
down, but not far enough TO prevent the bombari-
mcnt of the town, because modern artillery - eli
fectiyc at much greater distance. Atlhis range,
if is tue, the aim will be uncertain, and conse-
ouently the damage will be less, but the moral eff
ect will be the same The presence of these tor
pedoes does not however, hinder navigation, as
their 20 .ition is known and they can be avoided.
Here is how The departure of a ship wishing 10
leave the port is arranged Inc Commandant
sends on board officer and some men OF the
marine corps who know The way out. The officer
be guns operations by sending the crew aud passen-
gers below after all the portfolios have been care
fully closed lest any of the passengers should un
derakc to act as spy and note the way out
Notwithstanding these precautions 1t would still
be pOss be TO observe ON the etty the route taken
by departing ships, and for this reassn all ingress
or egress has been forbidden for some days. The
day before Yesterday Belgian steamer arrived
and was warned OIL by two blank discharges from
the guns of the battery. but this not having the
desired effect cannon ball was sent ricochetilns
across her bows. The captains intelligence was
at once awakened, and turning his PROV to the
sea he went off to Nicolaieif to discharge 1t IS
PLAIN that all this is serious; but, however serious
affairs may be, the comical will always intrudc.
The comcal on this OCCASION took the form OF a
small Italian bark which, three days ago, was
seen at sunrise to cast anchor in the port. Not
knowing abot the prohibition of the orpedoes. she
had arrived at miracle This ship had passed
Perhaps hundred times within foot or even an
inch Of certain death, for the new submar inc ma
chimes do not joke. Some opinion Of their effect
can be formed, because on the passage oil tho
Emperor Alexander, last Thursday, he was treat
ed to the spectacle of a torpedo explosion. Tie
system is so well organized that II suthced for
the sovereign TO point out with his finger any part
of the Ioadstead, when Immediately there arose a
huge column of water, fame smoke shot his h in
the air by the submarine explosion.