Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-07-07
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 . Powerful Greek
Vessel . Helpless Prisoner Within
the Landloekcd Waters Of Arta.

1t was during the war between |
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 Hellenic
battleship had entered the gulf and
cast anchor of the shore. The sur
prise of the inhabitants Of Gala Krini
was nothing compared with that Of
party Of FIVE 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 deet from the
gulf of Arta. Behind them. at the
bottom Of the deep ravine. were a
number of heavy guns which had been
dragged all the way from Saloniki,
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
young officer who had been listening
said he could hold the vessel a 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 KrinL
Late that night q number of figures
stole through the dark alleys of the
village toward the shore. Close to the
waters edge was an old boathouse.
used as a shed for repairing boats.
This the party silently entered and by
the pickering 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 u 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
the cable of a Turkish vessel-was
reached.
From the beach the chain was load
ed on board Il large caique. whose
sides and floor had been covered with
cloth to deaden the sound. This task
accomplished. three men got In with
Hassan and rowed with muffied oars
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 phantom in the dis
lance. Not 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
7 ships plates. slight grating Of the
: chain against the hull was all that his
I anxious companions in the boat heard.
Y though now and then reassuring pull
o 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
Z. he had to be almost lifted into the
boat
ut is round the propeller" he gasp.
&c ed. II have fixed 1t so that nothing
: ron move II Rack Won 90
i. Then link by link the tedious work
q was renewed until the boat returned
ii to its starting point where the othel
d end of the chain was secured. The
~ risky task was done. and the Hellenic
q battleship was securely moored to ar
+ immovable rock by a double thickness
% Of cable.
e. The early rays of dawn revealed
~ sight which astonished the Greek com
mander. A whole regiment of Turk
were on the march toward the strat
Of Arta. with train after train of artil
lery. the last Of which disappeared be
: yond the intervening head before tn
ships guns could be brought to bea
of on them. The commander gave order
for the guns to be run out and deck
cleared for action. while the ancho
20 was weighed. his intention being t
III prevent the Turks from fortfying th
o. strait before they had become to
TO- strong. Full speed ahead" went tn
N order to the engine room, and. PR
OF PEELED by her mighty screw. the ba
TO- tleship advanced. only to lurch 'bacl
ward as il dragged by some unsee
force Work as the engines woult
z. the vessel seemed to be In an enchan
ed circle. beyond which 1t was impo
sible to 60.
. 1t was not until the suns rays ha
penetrated the deep blue water alonl
.s1o &bot tho cocrof was revealed an