Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-06-17
CHAINED A WARSH|P,
An Incident of the War Between
Greece and Turkey.
A YOUNG OFFICERS DARING.
The Turks Pluck and Strategy Re-
suited In Making a Powerful Greek
Vessel a Helpless Prisoner Within
the landlocked Waters of Arta.

|
Greece and Turkey In 1897 that the
inhabitants of Gala Krini-a large vii.
age. since destroyed by the Turks. on
the shores of the gulf of Arta-awoke
one morning to find that a Hellenic
battlestnp had entered the gulf and
cast anchor off the shore. The sur
prise of the inhabitants of Gala Krini
was nothing compared with that Of
party Of fve Turkish officers. who.
| fresh from the crest of hill towering
above the village, watched the vessel
through their telescopes.
These Turkish officers were on an
urgent and important mission - to
block out the Hellenic feet from the
gulf Of Arta. Behind them, at the
bottom Of the deep rayine, were
number Of heavy guns which had been
dragged all the way from Saloniki, a
long and difficult task, and with this
artillery they had been ordered to for
tify the strait.
TO reach the strait. however. the
Turkish column had to run the gantlet
Of the battleship's heavy guns, which
meant sheer destruction. Somehow or
other they must escape the man-of-
war or prevent her Interference with
their work, but to do this seemed i'm
possible.
In the midst of their discussion a
young officer who had been listening
said he could hold the vessel prison.
er If they would allow him. His plead
ing won. and, hurriedly changing his
! clothes for those of a shepherd. he de-
! scended In that disguise to Gala Krini.
Late that night number of figures
stole through the dark alleys OF the
village toward the shore. Close to the
waters edge was an old boa thouse.
used as shed for repairing boats.
This the party silently entered and by
the tlickering light of taper search
ed the black interior. At length there
was gentle rattle and from the gloom
emerged Hassan. stripped to the waist,
dragging a heavy chain. This. with
the help of his comrades, he began to
pull and after an hours laborious
work the end Of the great chain-once
reached.
From the beach the chain was load
ed on board a large caique, whose
sides and floor had been covered with
cloth to deaden the sound. This task
accomplished, three men got In with
| la1
toward large rock In the middle Of
the blight. Round this rock the chain
was laid and securely fastened. One
man having been landed on the crag
to keep guard over this end, the boat
set out cautiously for the battleship.
looming like a phantom In the dis
tance. Not q sound did the men make
as link by link the massive chain was
paid out over the stern into the still
water till they reached the vessel.
There was an excited CLEAN In Has
sans eyes as, with sign to his COM
rades, he gradually lowered himself
into the dark water, guiding himself
by passing his fingers over the battle
ships plates. A slight grating Of the
chain against the hull was all that his
anxious companions in the boat heard,
though now and then a reassuring pull
was felt on the line that Hassan held,
directing them how to pay out the
chain. Hours rather than minutes
seemed to have gone by ere the young
officer came to the surface. So ex-
hausted by his long dive was he that
he had to be almost lifted into the
boat.
at is round the propeller" he gasp
ed. 81 have fixed 1t so that nothing
can move it. Back you CO."
Then link by link the tedious work
was renewed until the boat returned
to its starting point, where the other
end Of the chain was secured. The
risky task was done. and the Hellenic
battleship was securely moored to an
immovable rock by double thickness
Of cable.
The early rays of dawn revealed a
sight which astonished the Greek COM
mander. A whole regiment Of Turks
were on the march toward the strait
of Arta, with train after train Of artil-
lery, the last Of which disappeared be-
yond the intervening. head before the
ships guns could be brought to bear
on them. The commander gave orders
for the guns to be run out and decks
cleared for action. while the anchor
was weighed. his intention being to
prevent the Turks from fortlfying the
strait before they had become too
strong. Full speed ahead" went the
order to the engine room, and. pro,
PEELED by her mighty screw, the bat
tleship advanced, only to lurch back.
ward as If dragged by some unseen
force. Work as the engines would,
the vessel seemed to be In an enchant-
ed circle, beyond which 1t was impos-
sible to go.
1t was not until the suns rays had
penetrated the deep blue water along
side that the secret was revealed and
the massive chain was discovered pass
ing round the ships propeller and the
adjacent rock.
Before 1t could be removed, how.
ever, the strait had been sufficiently
fortified by the Turks and power
full Greek warship lay helpless pris.
oner within the landlocked waters OF
Arta.
| rk - fo nd RI