The Ocala evening star., 1915-03-23
STRIVING To HOLD
THE STRAITS
FORTS BACKED BY IMMENSE LAND FORCE
EXCELLENT AIM OF GERMAN ARTILlERSTS AND MINES PROV
Ed TOO MUCH FOR THE ALLIES

Constantinor March 23.-Three
hundred thousand Turks are concen-
trated on the Gallipoli peninsula and
the southern side of the Dardanelles
to oppose the allies efforts to take
the forts along the straits by assault.
Three landings attempted by British
marines on the peninsula have been
repulsed.
Quiet prevails along the Darda-
nelles. The hostile fleet is making no
effort to renew the bombardment
CoNsTANTINoPLE IS QUIET
RumOrs of strife in the Turkish
capital are denied.
ALLIES BRINGING UP TROOPS
1t is reported that great fleet of
transports has joined the allied feet
off Tenedos. 1t is estimated the
transports are carrying 10000 sol
diers.
FIERCE RESISTANCE OF THE
FORTS
Berlin, March 23.-The CONSTANT
pople correspondent of the Wolff bu-
reau telegraphed today this descrip-
tion of the fighting in the Dardanelles
on Thursday, March Is, in which the
French battleship Bouvet and two
British battleships were sent to the
bottom.
"The efforts of the allies to force
the Straits of the DardaneHes reached
their climax in an. artillery duel on
Thursday, March 18, which lasted
seven hours. The entire atmosphere
around the Turkish forts was darken-
ed by clouds of smoke from exploding
shells and quantities of earth 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 half past
II o'clock In the morning. Four
French and FIVE British warships took
part at the beginning. This engage
ment reached its climax at half past
o'clock when the fire of the allies was
concentrated upon Fort Mamidieh and
the adjacent fortified positions. The
attack Of modern marine artillery
against land forts presented an in
spring as we'll as terrifying specta-
Gle. At times the forts were com
pletely enveloped in smoke.
"At O'Clock the allies changed
their tactics and concentrated their
fire on individual batteries but it was
evident they found difficulty in get
ting the range Many of their shells
fell short, casting up pillars of water
or went over the forts to explode in
the town.
cat a quarter past when the bonn
bardment was at it's hottest the
French battleship Bouvet was found
to be sinking at the stern. A moment
later her bows swung clear Of the
water and she was going down. Roar
ing cheers from the Turkish garrisons
and forts greeted this sight Torpedo
boats and other craft of the allies
hurried to the rescue, but they were
successful in saving only few men.
Besides having been struck by mine,
the Bouvet was seriously damaged
above the waterline by shell fire. One
projectile struck her forward deck. A
mast also was shot away and hung
overheard. 1t could be seen that the
Bouvet, when she sank, was endeavor-
ing to gain the mouth Of the straits.
This, however, was difficult, owing ap-I
parently, to the fact that her machin-
cry had been damaged.
Immediately after the sinking Of
the Bouvet British ship was hit on
the deck squarely amidships and re-
tired from the fight. Then another
British vessel was damaged and a
quarter before o'clock was seen to
be retiring under terrific fire Of the
Turkish battery. This vessel ran in
towards the shore. For a full hour
the allies tried to protect her with
their guns, but it was apparent she
was destined for destruction. Eight
effective hits showed the hopelessness
Of the situation for this vessel. She
then withdrew towards the mouth Of
the Dardanelles, which she reached
amid a hail of shells. The forts con-
tinued firing until the allies were out
Of range.
'tThis was the first day when the
varshiue attacked tba n.~5.naIl.. :,