The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-03-07
How the English Fleet Passed the Oar.
danelleS.

{ The morning of the oath was calm
and sunshiny rs the fleet lay quietly at
anchor in Vourian Bay, expecting the
arrival of the mail and news from Eu-
rope. of which there was most consid
cradle dearth Toward neon the wind be-
gan 10 stiff breeze, and while lunch
was on, a telegram arrived, the upshot
Of which was that the signal went up 10
prepare instantly for sea. Before D
O'Clock the fleet, consisting of the
Salamis, the yacht of the Commander
in-chief; the Agincourt. flagship of Sir
j. G.. Commerell; the Swiftsure, Tenn
eraire, Sultan, Rupert, Hotspur, Ruby
and Research, were under way, and
proceeded to the north, past the Island
/ of Lesbos. The orders were 10 pass
through the Dardanelles peacefully if
possible, but Ia resist any attempt nj
obstruction. Ii was a prevalent idea in
the fleet that permission had been grant
ed in the first instance by the Turkish
Government, but that il had been sub
seauently rescinded The night Of the
departure was stormy, and the day
dawned bleak and rainy when the Island
of Tene5os came in view. The Salamis
steamed into Besika Bay for the latest
kilograms. and, ON coming out,
the Admiral shifted hi, flag 10 the Sui
tan, 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 gallant
masts were left standing. The Salamis
then steamed ahead To Chanak, 10 give
warning Of the approach Of the fieet
, Early in the afternoon the entrance was
reached; the fleet halted for a short
time at the Rubicon, and then, in good
order, column of divisions line ahead,
steamed quickly into the Dardanelles.
Z No attack was expected from the forts
| Sedul Bahr, or Castle Of Europe, and
/ Kun kaleh, the Castle Of Asia, at the
entrance. Is in any case the fight for
I the passage must have taken place 1T
! Chanak, the narrowest part of the
/ strait, the entrance being over TIVE ,niics
wide. The guns were now loaded and
run not quite out. but only level with
/ the ships side and with the tompions in
( them. Those ships possessing Calling
/ guns hoisied them into the tops 50 rs to
, bring them To bear upon the embrasures
7 Of the forts. The men were cheerful and
I steady, though at the moment every
/ man believed that fighting must ensue
with the terrible forts al Chanak and
/ vet none knew whom they were going
10 fight. whether Turks or Russians. or
why they were going TO fight them, for
l in the fleet there was no news OF what
was going on in the world ashore. At
length the terrible Chanak was APP
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 saluied the Turkish flag and pro-
ceeded with the Salamis yet, 10 the
general disappointment, the remainder
of the fleet was ordered 10 return 10 the
nearest anchorage, Besika Bay. Dur
ing the journey the larger iron-clads
had all Of them their steam anchors
ready, so that they might be anchored
bow and stern of the forts, To assault
them If required. There is an old castle
and strong earth fort on the opposite
side Of the narrows TO Chanak, and the
stream is known to have torpedoes laid
down, so that the most sanguine
could no, have expected a bloodless
victory had il been necessary 10
force the Dardsnelles. The flee, had
certainly most imposing aspect, and
there was much that was striking 10 be
seen from the flee, itself. On its return
the day cleared up, and there was seen
the grand island 81 Imbos basking in
the sun. "Ef Iva conspectn Tsned1s,
for the peak was not lost sight II from
sunrise IL every one nj home only
knew how anxious the crews Of the ships
are 10 get some real news about the wal
they could not but admire the cheerful
obedience with which the men execute
orders that are unintelligibie to them.
II is interesting, as well as important,
To know tina; as the feet passed between
the castles Of Europe and Asia the guard
turned out and presented arms Ia the
ships. There was strong feeling IN
the feet q; the time Of the advance that
the passage II the Dardanelles eogld
certainly have been forced had Il beer
required But At Chanak there are tao
I low forts, stated % mount cotton kropf
; guns, and there j. sb upper fort. with 1
plunging Ere. that i would have takef
some time - destroy.