, 1878-03-09

The London Standard publishes the fol-
lowing letter, written by an officer on
beard one of the iron clads, describing
to the Dardanelles:
The morning of the oath was calm and
sunshiny as the feet lay quietly at anchor
IN Nourlah Bay, expecting the arrival Of
the mail and news from Europe, of which
there was a most considerable dearth. To-
ward noon the wind began to rise to stiff
breeze, and while lunch was on telegram
arrived, the upshot of which was that the
| signal went up to prepare instantly for
sea. Before i've O'Clock the feet, consist
ing of tbo Salamis, the yacht of the COM
| mander- IN chief the Agineourt, flagship
of Sir J. C. Commerell; the Swiftsure,
Temeraire, Sultan, Rupert, Hotspur, Ruby
and Research were under weigh and pro-
| ceeded to the north, past the island of
Lesbos. The orders were to pass through
the Dardanelles, peacefully if possible,
but to resist any attempt at obstruction.
1t was prevalent idea in the fleet that
permission had been granted in the fest
instance by the Turkish government, but
that it had been subsequently rescinded
The night of the departure was stormy
and the day dawned bleak and rainy when
the island of Tenedos caIse in view. The
Salamis steamed into Besika Bay for the
latest telegrams, and, on coming out, the
admiral shifted his flag to the Sultan, the
vice-consul from Chanak also arriving and
emGarking on board that ship.
The fleet then received orders to pre-
pare for action without any outward dem
onstration, SO that the upper yards were
sent down the top-gallant masts were left
standing. The Salamis then steamed
ahead to Chanak, to give Earning Of the
approach Of the fleet. Early in the after
noon the entrance was reached; the fleet
halted for short time at the Rubicon,
and then, in good order, column Of divis
ions line ahead, steamed quickly into the
Dardanelles. No attack was expected from
the forts Seddel abr, or Castle of Europe,
and Kun kaleh, the Castle of Asia, at
the entrance, as III any case the fight for
the passage must have really taken place
at Chanak, the narrowest part Of the strait,
the entrance being over two miles wide.
The guns were now loaded and run not
quite out, but only level with the ship's
side and with the tompions In them.
Those ships possessing gattling guns hoist
ed them INTO the tops SO as to bring them
to bear on the embrasures of the forts
The men were cheerful and steady, though
at the moment every man believed that
fighting must ensue with the terrible forts
at Chanak and yet none knew whom
they were going to fight, whether Turks
or Russians, nor why they Were going to
fight them, for in the fleet there was no
news of what was going on in the world
ashore.
At length the terrible Chanak was ap-
preached !; and then at the last moment
was seen signal hoisted from the Salamis
which told that the passage would not be
disputed The Sultan then saluted the
Turkish flag and proceeded with the Sala
mis- !; yet, to the general disappointment,
the remainder of the fleet was ordered to
return to the nearest anchorage, Besika
Bay. During the journey the larger IRON
clads had all of them their steam anchors
ready, so that they might be anchored
them if required There is an old castle
and strong earth fort on the opposite
side OF the narrows to Chanah, and the
stream is known to have tCrpedOes laid
down, SO that .he most sanguine could not
have expected bloodless victory had it
been necessary TO force The Dardanelles.
The fleet had certainly most imposing
aspect, and there WIS much that was strik-
ing To be seen from the fleet itself. On
its return the day cleared up, and there
was seen the grand island of Imbos bask-
inc in the sun. "Est IN conspectu Teae-
dos" for the peak was not lost sight of
from sunrise. II every one at home only
knew how anxious the crews Of the ships
are to get some real news about the war
they could not but admire the cheerful
obedience with which the men execute
orders that are unintelligible to them. 1t
is interesting, as well rs important, to
know that as the fleet passed between the
Castles of Europe and Asia the guard
turned out and presented arms to the
ships. There was strong feeling IN the
feet at the time of the advance that the
passage of the Dardanelles could certainly
have been forced had it been required.
But at Chanak there are two low forts,
stated to mount 4O-ton Krupp guns, and
there is an upper fort, with plunggnS
fire, 50 that 1t would have taken some tune
to destroy them.