The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-07-19
THE HIsITIsH COMMANDMENT OF
ALEXANDRIA.
All the Forts Silenced-ihc Egyptian
Loss Severe-The Fleet but Slightly
Damaged and Casualties Few.

OptHeu IRE Ou TIE 1Oitc az y NioNN
this morning. The action was COM
menced by the Alexandra, Sultan
and Superb. The batteries at once
replied, but their fire was weak and
ineffective, their shots at first falling
short of the ships. The rest of the
fleet then joined in, and the action
then became general. After twenty
minutes cannonade two of the forts
ceased firing.
THE SHIPS ENGAGED.
There were eleven ships engaged
in the bombardment, armed as fol-
lows Infiexible, four S0-ton guns /;
Temereire, four S0-ton and four 1S-
ton guns: Penelope, eleven guns I;
Superb, twelve 1S-ton and four g.
ton guns Alexandra, two 25-ton
and ten 1S-ton guns, and Monarch,
four 25-ton, two 12-ton and one 81
ton guns, Condor g guns, Beacon
a guns), Cygnet a guns, and Decoy.
The complement OF the crews aggre-
gates over o,ocD men.
INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN THE CITY.
At the beginning of the lombard
ment intense excitement was visible
in the city. Crowds of people were
seen vending their way toward the
palace.
After the firing had commenced
the streets were deserted, the people
having fed or sought refuge in eel
lars. The flag of the Geneva Red
Cross is flying over the hospital in
the city. The Dutch and greek flags
are hoisted over their respective con-
sulates.
THE FIRE FROM THE FORTS sLACKEN-
After the attack on the forts and
batteries had been kept up two hours,
the return fire began to slack to about
ten rounds per hour. Dense smoke
hung over the city, along the line OF
the shore batteries and among the
ships. Though it was difficult to
see what damage had been done, it
was evident that the Egyptians had
suffered very heavily. Fort Marsa ell
Kanat had been blown up, the top
OF the tower of Fort Pharos was car
ried away, and many guns were
dismounted on that and other forts.
The Ras-el-Tin forts suffered severe
ly from the heavy and disastrous
fire of the ships Alexandra, Superb
and Temereire. Fort Marsa el kanat
was only completed week ago sun
day last. The ships, as far as could
be perceived, had not suffered any
damage.
EXPLOSION OF 4 MAGAZINE.
\ terrific explosion occurred just
about noon, at Fort Ada, and it was
seen that the magazine had been
blown up. The fort is located close
to the vice regal palace, outside the
harbor. 1t was also reported that
the El Mahroussa, the Khedives
yacht, had been sunk in the harbor
Still, there were no signs Of surren-
der.
DAsHING EXPLOIT OF THE BLEW JACK
ETs.
Men were called for on board the
Invincible at l p. NJ. to 90 ashore
and spike the guns of Fort Mex.
Although the work was dangerous,
as troops might have been lying be-
hind the fort, there was plenty of
volunteers. Twelve men were chos-
en- and placed in charge of three Off
GERS. The landing party were oblig-
ed 20 swim through thesurf. They
landed unopposed, and, after burst
iEg the guns with guncotton, returned
without any casualty.
THE TINE FOR COMPROMISE PASSED.
At 5:15 this evening the Helicon
approached the Invincible with Off
cials from Dervisch Pacha, who had
been trying TO find the flagship all
night, with 4 letter from the ministry
to Admiral Seymour, offering to dis
mount the guns. Admiral Seymour
replied that the time for negotiations
had passed. The Ras-el-Tin palace
took fire during the bombardment,
and is still burning.
At $50 the action was finished for
the day. The casualties on the Eng
lish side amount to forty wounded
and five killed. Admiral Seymour
recommences the attack on Fort
Gularrie and the barber forts in the
morning.
THE EFFECTS OF THE CANYONADE.
The Egyptian loss is a; present
unknown, but viii likely be very Sc
we're. The small effect of the S1-ton
and other heavy guns on the earth.
works caused some disappointment
to the feet. Up to noon four forts
in all were blown up. A part Of the
Ras ei-Tin Palace is in ruins, and
the lighthouse is slightly damaged.
The fire of the fleet commanded the
railway to Cairo. The report of the
sinking of the khedive's yacht is
untrue.
The Egyptians could have done
much execution had their aiming
been lass wild. 1t is difficult TO de-
scribe the excitement of the sailors.
Each shot was watched with great
anxiety, and every good one was
cheered. Seine shots from the ST.
tonners flew high, and may have
damaged the town.
A HEAP OF RUINS.
The forts and batteries on the ser
face are heap of ruins. The Egyp-
tians stuck to their guns until the
forts were crumbling. The aim of
the Egyptian gunners was chiefly
directed against the Penelope and
lnfexible, and they fired principally
round shot. Their elevation was
bad. The Invincible was seldom
hit. The armor of the Superb was
penetrated
CALAMITY OF THE EGYPTIAN OFF
GERS.
3he Egyptian officers set a gooC.
example TO their men, often Jumping
upon the parapets to see the effects
ot the fire. The party of marines
which landed from the Invincibe to