The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-03-25
OF ALLIES
HEARTENS TURKS
Forts Are Not Badly Damaged
They Say-Witness Describes
Thursdays Battle In OAR
daneIIeS Narr0WS.

Berlin. March 23.-The c~orrespon-
dent at Constantinople OF the Wolff
bureau telegraphed today a descrip-
ton of the fighting at the Dardanelles
on Thursday, March IS, in which the
French battleship Bouvet and two
British battleships were sent to the
bottom. There follows an abridgement
of the correspondents story OF this en-
gagement. ..
The efforts of the allies to force the
straits Of the Dardanelles reached their
climax IN an artillery duel on Thurs
day, March IS, which lasted seven
hours. The entire atmosphere around
the Turkish forts was darkened by
clouds Of smoke from exploding shells
and quantities Of cath thrown into the
air by the projectiles Of the French and
British warships. The earth trembled
for miles around .
The allies entered the straits at 1880
in the morning n shelled the town
of Chanak Kale. Four French and
flve British warships tool part in the
beginning. This engagement had its
climax. at 1870, when the fire Of the
allies was concentrated upon Fort
Hamidieh and the adjacent fortified
positions.
The attack Of modern marine artiI-
lery upon strong lane forts presented
an interesting as we'll as terrifying
bpeCldCle, Al IlIIleS the lOTlS were COn-
pietely envoleped in smoke. At 2
o'clock the allies changed their tactis
and concentrated their fire upon in
dividual batteries, but 1t was evident
they found difficulty in getting the
range. Many of their shells fell short,
cast up pillars Of water. or went Over
the forts anad exploded in the town.
At 3:15, when the bombardment was
at it's hottest, the French battleship
Bouvet was seen to be sinking at the
stern. A moment later her bow
swung clear Of the water and she was
going down. Roaring cheers from the
Turkish garrisons and forts greeted
this sight. Torpedo boats and other
craft Of the allies hurried to the res
cue, but they were successful in saw
ing only a few men. Besides being
struck by a mine, the Bouvet was Sc
verely damaged above the water line
by shell fire. One projectile struck her
forward deck. A mast also was III
| away and hung overheard. 1t could
/! be seen that the Bouvet when she sank
was ~endeavoring to gain the mouth Of
the straits. 81
This, however. was difficult owing
apparently to the fact that her machin-
cry had been damaged.
Shortly after the sinking Of the
deck amid ships and compelled to with
draw from the fight. Then another
| British vessel was badly damaged and
at a quarter before 4, was forced to
| retire under a terrific fire from the
Turkish battery. This vessel ran in
toward the shore. For a null hour the
allies tried to protect her with their
guns, but it was apparent she was
destined for destruction. Eight effec-
tive hits showed the hopelessness of the
situation for this vessel. Then she
withdrew toward the mouth Of the
Dardanelles, which h reached In a
few minutes under a hail OF shells. The
forts continued firing until the allies
were out Of range.
This was the first day when the war
ships attacking the Dardanelles kept
within range OF the Turkish guns for
any considerable length Of time, The
result for them was terrible owing to
the excellent craftsmanship from the
Turkish batteries. The allies fired on
this day 1000 shells without silencing
one shore battery. The result has in
spired the Turks with confidence and
they are looking forward to further enc
gagementC with calm assurance.