The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-07-20
England and the Egyptians.

War between England and Egypt began by
the bombardment OF Alexandria by the British
fleet under command of Admiral Seymour.
The uitimatum sent to Arab Rey, the Egyp-
tian leader, was the surrender Of the forts at
he mouth of the halbor within twenty-four
hours, or the bombardment of tho city at the
expiration of that time. The Egyptians having
efused to surrender the forts tho British feet
opened fire at sunrise. From dispatches sent
England we CLEAN the following particulars
Of the manner in which hostilties bpgan
Early this morning the remaining British
subjects embarked and, save few Italians and
Greeks, the European portion of the population
If Alexandria deserted the town. Those who
remain are principally shopkecpers who prefer
Any risk rather than abandon their property to
heir houses and viii resist to the last any at
'empt on the part of the mob to b-eak in when
he bombardment begins.
cat II O'Clock tho lnvincible, Monarch and
Penelope moved out and anchored outside the
harhor. The scene now was impressive in a
nigh degree. Slowly all the foreign steamers
moved from their berths and steamed ont OF
ihe harbor. The merchant steamers presented
no regular order, but the war ships of the
various nations steamed oUt il squadrons, sa-
luting as they passed the Sdmiral's flag. Bands
played national airs. Scarce breath Of wind
vas blowing. The various ensigns dropped
lgainst the masts. The bright Eastern sky
overhead, the deep blue sea, the white clothed
crews clustering on the rigging and the knowl-
edge of the change which would soon take
place rendered the stately procession of wal
hips extremely impressive. The merchant
steamers wero all crowded with refugees, those
Mo had held on to the last in hopes that mat
.ers would not come 10 an extremity. By
nalf-past II tho American squadron Of three
ships two Russian vessels, one Austrian and
one German alone remained.
SAT l O'Clock steam launch towing large
boat full of Egyptian officials was seen ap-
preaching the English flagship. 1t contained
past and present ministry. They were re
ccived by the admiral and tho Hon. Mr.
Lamban, flag lieutenant, and guard OF
marines, the baId playing and general
salute being fired, as they came as a
Geputation from the rulers of Egypt. They
had not received the admiral's demand to sur
render the forts, and had come Off to inquire
Inc reason for tho hostile preparations. The
interview was conducted with great courtesy
on both sides, but the Egyptian officials
locked blank indeed upon tho admiral
informing them that be had sent in demand
that the forts commanding the harbor be inn
mediately dismantled. The members of the
deputation talked somewhat excitcdly among
themselves in Turkish, discussing apparently
what Arab would say to the demand" They
soon after returned to shore, and at A. II. tie
first gun was fired.
The special correspondent of the Associated
Press with the British fleet telegraphed the fol
lowing detailed account of the engagement:
"a British naval officer has furnished me th'
following account Of the days operations: The
bombardment commenced at 745 this morn
ing. The iTonclads Superb, Sultan and Alex
andra engaged and totally destroyed For
Pharos and the lighthouse batteries, which arr
at the entrance to the new port, and were in
tended to dominate the approach to the inne
haIl 1na Hor in I'M Oral
and the Penelope took up commanding posi-
tions outside the reefs, and, assisted from th
| outside by tho Temeraire, attacked with de
structive effect the strong position o
| Fort Mex, with the lighthouse anC
shore batteries. The Intlexible was sta
| toned so as to command the lighthous
| batteries, Font Pharos and Fort Mex at tn
same time, and was thus in position to co
| operate both with the division outside and tha
| inside the reefs. Tho gun vessels Bittern
Condor, Beacon Decoy and Cygnet attacke,
the Mara0out batteries at the entrance of tn
harbor, and, taking close and destruetiv
range, soon sllenced them; after which the
ran in and sheled Fort Mex, ON the southern
side of the ent an Q TO the anchorage or QUITE
harbor. The Inyinclble, under cover of he
own guns aud those Of tho Bitien, then lande
party of blue jackets aud marines, VIII
entered Fort Mex and blew up tn
heavy guns. The bombardment PRACTICAL
this hour still sheling Fort Napoleon, q iarg
work, situated at the southern angle of tn
inner harbor and dominating the town. TIL
fort does not reply. On the whole the Egyp
tians fought their batteries with more determi
nation than had been expected Several of tn
earthworks, behind which guns were mounted
were found to be mere heaps of sand. On
shot went eli ar through the Intlexible."
The London Standards correspondent o
| board the Invincible te!egraphs: "rhe fort
and batteries on the sea face are a heap {
ruins. The Egyptians stuck to their guns I'm
| til the forts were crumbling. The aim of tn
Egyptian gunners was chiefly directed againt
the Penelope and Inhexible, and they fire
principally round shot. Their elevation wa
bad. The Invincible was seldom hit. Th
armor of the Superb was penetrated. Th
Egyptian officers set good example to thei
men, often jumping upon the parapets to sc
the effects Of their fire. The party Of marine
which landed from the Invincible to blow u
| Fort Mex saw several dead lying inside tn
fort. The Egyptians had no shells, which faC
accounts for the small number Of casualties o
the British vessels."
Another correspondent telegraphed as fo
| lows: "At half-past 10 the khedives palac,
called the Bas el Tin, or the Harem palace