Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-02-27
NO. so.
Mlscellaneuus.
IRON.CLiDS IN TIE DARDANELLES.

London newspaper of recent date
prints the following letter, written by an
officer on board one of the iron-clads, de-
scribing the an9uvres of the fleet when
ordered to the Dardanelles:
The morning of Jan. "a was calm and
sunshiny as the fleet lay quietly at anchor
in Vourlah Bay expecting the arrival of
the mail and news from Europe, of which
there WAS most considerable dearth
Toward noon the wind began 10 rise to a
stiff breeze, and, while lunch was on, a
telegram arrived, the upshot of which
was that the signal went up to prepare in
stantly for sea. Before o'clock the fleet
consisting of the Salamis, the yacht of
the Commander-in-c chief the Agncourt,
the flagship of Sir j. G. Commerill, the
Swiltsure, Temeraire, Sultan, Rupert,
Ho.spur, Duby and Research were under
weigh, and proceeded north past the island
of Lesbos. The orders were TO pass
through the Dardaneles peacefully, if
possible, but to resist any attempt at OBJ
struction. 1t was a prevalent idea in the
fleet that permission had been granted in
the first instance by the Turkish govern
ment, but that it had been subsequently,
rescinded. The night of the departure
was stormy, and the day dawned bleak
and lainy when the island of Tenedos
came in view. The Salamis steamed into
Besika for the latest kilograms, and on
coming out the Admiral shifted his flag to
the Sultan, the Vice-Consul from Chanak
also arriving and embarking on board
that ship. The fleet then received orders
to prepare for action without any outward
demonstration, so that though the upper
yards were sent down the top galantmasts
lnf ba g. ba.
steamed ahead to Chanak to give warning
OF the approach OF the fleet Early in
the afternoon the entrance was reached,
the fleet halted Tor short time at the Rub
icon, and then. in good order. column of
divisions line ahead, steamed quickly into
the Dardaneles. No attack was expect
ed from the forts Seddul Blhr. or Castle
OF Europe, and Kun Kaleh, the Castle OF
Asia, at the entrance, as in 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,
aud run not quite out. but only level with
the ships side aud with the tompions in
them. Those ships possessing Gatling
guns hoisted 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 terri
bic Chanak was approached. and then at
the last moment was seen signal hoisted
from the Salamis. which told that the pas
sage would not be disputed The Sultan
then saIuted the Turkish flag and pro-
ceeded with the Salamis; yet, to the gen
eral disappointment, the remainder of the
neet was ordered to return to the nearest
anchorage, Besika Pay. During the Jour
ney the larger iron-.la Is had all of them
their steam anchors ready, SO that they
might be anchored bow and stern of the
forts. to assault them il required. There
Is an old castle and strong earth fort on
the opposite side of the narrows to Cha
max, aud the stream is known to have tor
pedOes laid down 50 that the most san
gune could not have expected a bloodess
victory, had il been necessary to force the
DArdaneles. The fleet had certainly
most imposing aspect. and there was
much that was striking to be seen from
the fleet itself. On its return the day :
cleared up, and there was seen ths grand
island of Imhos basking in the sun. Est
IN c0nSpectu Tenedos," for the peak was
not lost sight OF from sunrise.
lfevery one at home only knew how anx-
ious 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 which are
unnteligible to them. IT is interesting as
well as important to know that as the fleet
passed between the Castles OF Europe and
Asia, the guard turned out aud presented
arms to the ships. There was strong
feeling in the fleet at the time of the adj
vance, that the passage of the Dardan-
elles would certainly have been forced had
it been required. But at Chanak there are
two low forts, stated to mount forty-ton
Klupp guns, and there is an upper fort,
with plunging fire, so that it would have
taken some time to destroy them.