Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-16
BoMBARDING THE CRETANs.
How the European War Vessels Fought
the Turks Battle for Them

the Turks Battle for Them
LONDON. April 15.-The correspondent
of The Standard, writing from Canea,
under date of April l. gives the following
description of the firing on the Christians
as seen by him:
The situation at Suda developed into a
| severe engagement, in which the foreign
men-of-war were compelled 20 take a
! leading part. In the course of last night.
| the insurgents intrenched themselves
strongly, and made an attack in force
upon the Turkish outposts near Fort
Izzedin. SO determined was the onset that
the ships in the bay were obliged to fire
several shells. in order to save the OUT
posts from being thrown back. and the
affair resulted in the end. in both sides
holding their own ground.
| Before describing the events of this
morning, when the fighting was resumed
at an early hour, 1 may state that Fort
! Izzedin is about four miles off, near the
entrance to Suda bay the south side OF
which it was built to protect. 1t is
armed with twelve Krupp guns of fifteen
cen,imeters. and one of eight centimeters,
and two Nordenfelrts but most of these.
being trained seawards, are of no use
against an attack from the land side.
The garrison consiste / Of 300 Turks,
while 300 more were stationed in the
blockhouse above. which Is armed
with two Krupps and two Norden-
! feldts. Along the crest Of the hill
ran a line of broken stone earthworks.
| extending about he'f mile, and -enclos-
/ ing the ruins Of monastery. About half
way was an outpost held by a small party
! of Turks Beyond this again was
strong stone wall, at the side of a deep
ravine. and covered with insurgents, over
whom floated the Greek flag. When it
| became evident that the Christians meant
business, Col Bor proposed to the ad-
mirals to land a mixed force of 500
troops, and storm the insurgent position
as a necessary preliminary to the inter-
national occupation of the fort The Aus
trian and French admirals, however
were opposed to taking the offensive
and in Difference to their opinion it was
finally decided to rest content with a
| bombardment.
am not able to state positively which
side began the fighting. but at o'clock
a general engagement was in full swing.
the Turkish guns taking only small
mart in If. but the Turkish frigate shell
ing the insurgents freely. though with
ont much effect An hour later the for
eign men-of-war were given the order to
commence firing. The Russian vessel
Grozfastchv. whose captain was the SEN
ior officer present. fired the first shot, and
was followed by II. VI. S. Ardent and the
Austrian gunboat Tiger. Each vessel
fired in turn. aiming chiefly at the Greek
flag boisted on the stone wall and at the
ravine At half-past the Ardent stopped
firing. but the Groziastchy ranging closer
in shore. by degrees pounded down the
whole Of the wall, yard by yard every
shot taking effect.
Notwithstanding the heavy cannonade,
the Insurgents held their ground stoutly,
even throwing out skirmishers and driv-
ing hack the Turkish outposts, though
they were compelled to abandon their
own principal position behind the stone
wall I myself. being at the time in
small boat between the Russian and Aus
srian ships. near the shore, was enabled
20 obtain a perfect view Of the operations.
At about a quarter to 10. the Camper
down which was the outermost of the
large ironclads in the bay began firing
siv-inch shells. some of which struck the
monastery while others fell beyond The
insurqents thereupon retired for a little
distance but continued 10 keep up a
heavy fire until 10 o'clock, when the
Camnerdovn. at a range of G400 yards
from her moorings. opened fire with her
1915 pune The effect was instantaneous.
three out of four Of the percussion shelis
bursting right in the midst of the insur-
gents. causing them to run helter-skelter
I'm all directions. The practice was perfect
while the formidable noise made by the
enormous shells as they hurled through
the still air was alone enough TO frighten
the enemy. apart from the terrific explo-
sions and widespread damage.
Tbirrs we're now getting too hot to last.
The insurcent flag was speedily lowered
and the christians in full retreat, has
torad nv the fire of the Groziastchy and
tho Tiger which poured in upon them
With evtrenoe accuracy n succession OF
shronnals The last shell was fired at
quarter rast TO- and. seeing their OBJECT
occoun1isbed the Russian and Austrian
boots steamed away on blockade service.
r,.biro tba Ardent returned TO Suda. The
,rurl,isb soldiers quickly sailed out from
the forts and established themselves IN
the insurgent positions. hosting the otto.
man flag amid great demonstrations or
delight. and advancing across the open
with great coolness under continuous
fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, who
remained at the edge Of the ravine M to
.,a 1ast ,,,oment. They had never budged
since si,, the morning. and as It was. only de-
ann,,od when further resistance was out