The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-07-21

III HON oar0umosas ~ AAoAonuHS~ ri
The bombardment of Alexandria was begun
at 7:45 o'clock on tho morning Of Tuesday,
July II, by the iron-clads Sultan, Superb and
Alexandra, of the British feet. The batteries
replied at once, their shot at FIRST falling short
Of the ships. The Inhexible, Temeraire Pene-
lope, Invincible and Monarch soon joined in
the battle. Two OF the forts ceased firing after
twenty minutes. The gunboats Bittern, Con-
dor, Beacon, Decoy and Cygnet attacked and
quickly silenced the Marabout batteries at the
entrance to the harbor. The Invincible then
landed a party OF marines at Fort Mex, who
blew up the heavy guns with dynamite. At the
moment Of opening the siege dense crowds OF
people could be seen making their way toward
the palace, and the streets were soon deserted
The Geneva red cross was visible over the
hospital and the Dutch and Greek flags could
be seen waving above their consuaates At 8
o'clock the magazine at Fort Ada, close to
tho palace, was exploded. At noon four
forts had been blown up, when the firing
practically ceased. The English fleet had
FIVE men killed and twenty-seven wounded.
Several of the earthworks behind which guns
were mounted proved TO be mere sand heaps
The Turkish Ambassador at London was tele-
graphed by the Porte to lose not a moment in
urging Lord Granville TO order q cessation OF
firing In the British House OF Lords, Gran
vile said the bombardment was directed against
a military despotism, and was not an act Of war
against the allied powers.
The New York Tribune's special cablegram
SAYS Of the bombardment 1.-THE lombard
ment marks an epoch in the history of warfare,
for never has such storm of shot and shell
been hurled against any defenses, either on
land or sea. The Alexandra was the first ship
IN fro nd no lbQta N a
quarter Of an hour the action became general.
The broadsde iron-clads alone remained at
anchor. The remainder of the feet steamed to
and fro in the roadstead. The Arabs stood TO
the guns of the other forts with sturdy de-
termination until near midday but their fire
was very ill-directed. Most of the shots fell
short or went over the ships, and the few that
struck did little damage.
"The result of the engagement has not by
any means fulfilled the expectations Of artille-
rists, and there is much surprise that the shells
fired from the eghty-ton guns Of the Infexible
had 80 little effect on the earth-works. In con-
sidering that, it ought to be borne in mind
that this ship directed her fire from q point
two miles distant from the batteries. The
heaviest guns of the other vessels are four
Of twenty-five tons on the Monarch, two Of
twenty-five tons on the Alexandra, and the
rest are armed with eighteen and twelve tons.
The heaviest guns mounted on the Egyptian
forts are eighteen and twelve tons, of the old
Woolwich pattern, but still very serviceabe
weapons OF the larger kind, throwing 400
pound shells, calculated to pierce twelve-inch
armor. The days operations extended over Q
line OF four miles in length"
The bombardment was resumed early on the
morning of the 12th The Infexible and Tenn
eraire opened fire on Moncrieffe fort which,
during the night, had been repaired.
The batteries were evidently much damaged
hut ha Eraf a mi N
Spouse. A steamer was soon seen approaching
the fleet with a flag OF truce, and similar en-
blem was hoisted at the arsenal, when the bonn
bardment was suspended.
When the gunboat Bittern proceeded to the
harbor to learn the object Of the flag of truce.
Toulba Pasha sent word that he wished to COM
municate with Admiral Seymour. and
was informed that as preliminary
condition the forts must be surren-
dered. Several large fires broke out
in the city. The Turkish Ambassador at Lon
don was informed by Earl Granville that En-
gland acted in the name OF Europe. The Lon
don Daily Telegraph correspondent telegraphs
regarding the second days compartment
az took an open boat and went close along
side land. found all the batteries facing the
sea destroyed and the guns dismounted. An
Arab Informed me that many hundred persons
had been killed between Adjemi and Alexan-
dria. An explosion occurred in the middle Of
the fort, killing everybody inside.
Arabs informed me the noise Of burst
ing shells was like thunder, and
they declared hundreds of people were killed in
distant streets They stated that the obstinacy
Of the defense was owing to the fact that the
batteries were manned by negro Mohammed-
ans They estimate the loss of life among SOL
diers and townsfolk at 1000.
"Nayel officers witnessing the combat e1-
pressed the opinion that, with the exception Of
Nln.aFU Nla .ltah
ships have not distinguished themselves very
greatly as artillerists, many shells Of the Mon
arch, Inyincible and Superb falling seriously
short Nearly half the missiles seemed
to fall in the water. The guns
likewise we're served very slowly, giving the
Egyptians time to recover from their surprise
and regain courage Foreign officers think
lighter guns more quickly served would have
ended the action sooner. They give the palm
to Lord Charles Beresford, on the Condor, who
under heavy fire Unanswered admirably, in
ficting heavy loss