The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-02-28
Passage Of the Dardanelles.

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Tho London Standard publishes the
following letter, written by an officer on
board one of the iron-clads, describing
the maneuvers of the feet when ordered
to the Dardanelles
The morning of the oath was calm and
sunshiny as the fleet lay quietly at an
Choir in Vourlan bay, expecting the ar
rival of the mail ana news from Europe,
of which there was most considerable
dearth. Toward noon the wind began to
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 Instantly for sea. Before five
o'clock the feet, consisting of the Sala.
mis-, tho yacht of the commandment.
chief; the Agincourt, flagship of Sir J.
G. Commerell; the Swifashure, Temera.
RE, Sultan, Rupert, Hotspur, Ruby and
Research were underway and proceeded
to the no-th, 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 o prevalent idea in the feet that
permission had been subsequently re-
scinded. The night of the departure
was stormy and the day dawned bleak
and rainy when the island of Tenedos
came IN view. The Salamis steamed in.
to Besika bay for the latest kilograms,
and, on coming out, the admiral shifted
his flag to the Sultan, the vice consul
from Chanak also arriving and embark
ing on board that ship. The feet then
received orders to prepare for action
without any outward demonstration, so
that though the upper yards were sent
down the top gallant masts were left
standing. The Salamis then steamed
ahead to Cbansk, to give warning of the
approach of the fleet. Early in the af.
ternoon the entrance was reached; the
feet halted for short time at the Rubi-
con, and then, in good order, column of
divisions line ahead, steamed quickly
into the Dardanelles.
No attack was expected from the
forts Seddul Bahr, or Castle of Europe,
and Kun Kaleb, 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 load
ed and run not quite out, but only level
with the ships side and with the tom
pions in them. The ships possessing
eating guns hoisted them into the tops
SO as to bring them to bear on the en-
brasures of the forts. The men were
cheerful and steady, though at that mo-
ment every man beloved fighting must
ensue with the terrible forts at Chanak;
and yet none knew whom they were
going to fight, whether Turks or Rus
SLAMS, nor why they were going to fight
them, for in the feet there was no news
of what was going on in the world
ashore. AT length the terrible Chanak
was approached; and then ut 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 aud pro.
ceeded with the Salamls; yet, to the
general disappointment, the remainder
of the feet was ordered to return TO the
nearest anchorage, Besika bay. Du-
ring the journey the larger iron clads
had all of them their steam anchors
ready, SO that they might be anchored
bow and stern off the forts, to assault
them if required. There is an old castle
and a strong earth fort on the opposite
side OF the narrows to Chanak, and the
stream is known to have torpedoes laid
down, 50 that the most sanguine could
not have expected bloodless victory
had it been necessary to force the Oar.
danelles. The fleet had certainly a
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 the grand
island of Imbos basking in the sun.
I" Est in conSpectu Tenedos," for tho peak
was not lost sight of from sunrise. II
every ono 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 tho cheerful obe-
dicnce with which the men execute or.
ders that are unintelligible to them. 1t
is interesting, as well As 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 fleet at the time of the advance
that the passage of the Dardanelles could
have been forced had it been
required. Bat at Chanak there are two |
low forts, stated to noun; 40-ton Krupp
guns, and there is an upper fort, with .
plunging fire so that it would have taken
some time to destroy them.