The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-07-08
STORIES OF COMMODORE sKRID-


STORIES OF COMMODORE sKRID-
LOFT.
1t is scarcely known even in Paris that
it was Commodore Skridloff who was
selected to accompany Admiral Gervais
at the time of the reception at Cronstadt,
and consequently the high honor which
Emperor Alexander paid to his French
hosts by this selection remained almost
secret
Nicolas HarionoUtch Skridloff now 4S
years old, is on the point of becom-
ing Rear Admiral. His past history is
glorious. He wears upon his breast the
Cross of st. George, the highest order
that can be conferred in Russia, for an
act of daring bravery which signalized
his debut In the war of 1877 between Rus
STA and Turkey. The Russian army was
preparing to cross the Danube on pom
ICONS when two Turkish monitors APP
peared. Young Lieut.. Skridloff was Sc
lected to oppose the advance of the
Turkish vessels, with six sailors and his
friend, the painter Verestchagin, who
insisted upon going with him. Skridloff
boarded the pleasure yacht of the late
Emperor, the Schutka, and prepared to
put torpedoes under the monitors.
''Let us take glass of sherry" said
he to Verestchagin, when the yacht
moved out; 1T will doubtless be our
last"
The Turks were astounded at the ap-
proach of the little craft, and sent per-
feet shower of shot at it; but, fearing to
be blown to pieces they steamed quickly
back, leaving the Russians to cross the
river unmolested. The Schutka, having
accomplished her mission, brought back
Lieut.. Skridloff with four serious
wounds. He was the first man wound
ed in the campaign.
This act of bravery won for the young
man rapid promotion. In 1887 he was
Captain of the Strelok, war ship of
1900 tons. He was cruising in the At
lantic during the Afghanistan difficulty.
1t will be remembered that the Russian
General Komaroff fortified the strategic
line of the River Kouschka, thus threat
ening the English in India A war ru-
NOR passed over Europe. The English
Government instructed its Ambassador
at St. Petersburg to obtain from the Gar
a refusal to sanction the action of Roma
rolf, under penalty of a rupture of all
amicable negotiations. Alexander III.
was not inundated, and his bold reply
was that Komaroff had acted under his
orders. Everybody expected declara-
ton of war. Charged with secret mis-
sion for the United States, Skridlof was
followed by an English vessel a tonnage
double the size of his cruiser, and the
big Britisher was commanded by Capt.
Hand.
W1en anchored in the harbor of New
port, Skridloff resolved to escape from
the Englishmen, and this is the way he
managed it. 1t was Saturday, and per-
Torrance was to take place at the thea
tire in the evening. In the afternoon
Skridloff ordered all the linen of his
sailors to be hung on the yardarms, as is
the custom or wash days. He himself
wen ashore and proceeded to the thea
tire, accompanied by numbar of his
officers. AT the close of the perform
ance he invited the actresses and Capt.
Hand to supper. The invitation was ac-
cepted. Toward midnight, leaving his
cap and parade sabre in view, he made
an excuse for temporary absence from
the dining room. But he didn't come
back. He quickly boarded his vessel,
weighed anchor and escaped, and Capt.
Hand was afterward court marshalled.
During this same cruise the Strelok
put into San Domingo, where Capt.
Skridloff sent two officers ahore to get
news from the Continent. The Hay
tians. doubtless under the advice of the
English Consul, arrested the Russian
officers. After several hours of waiting
the Captain went ashore himself and de-
manded the immediate release of his
officers as we'll as a written apology duly
signed; otherwise he would have the
place bombarded at once. In order to
have no mistake about the thing, he had
given orders to his second officer to open
fire at a signal from his hand. The Hay
tians yielded, and Skridloff recorded
the document in which these facts were
related at the English Consulate.
At present Nicholas Skridloff is in
Paris. He is sturdy sailor of colossal
: stature, with broad shoulders and i'm
mense chest. His face is-of the purest
Russian type, with pleasant expression
He has short, blond beard. In French
tongue that many Parsians might vel
envy he speaks of the marvels of the
great city with which he is charmed be
yond measure.-FigGrO.