The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-22
SHOOK The EARTH
Fire of the Allies Guns on OAR
danelles Forts Terrific.
They Hurled 1000 Shells in
Hours BOmbardment.
DAY DARKENED BY SMOKE
Exploding Shells Threw Up
Tons of Earth Near Batteries.
Results Have Inspired Turks
With Confidence, Berlin Says.

Berlin March 22.-The correspond
ent 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 abrldg-
ment of the correspondents story of
this engagement:
The efforts of the allies to force the
straits of the Dardanelles reached
their climax in an artillery duel on
Thursday, March Is, which lasted
seven hours. The entire atmosphere
around the Turkish forts was dark
ing shells and Quantities of earth
thrown into the air by the projectiles
of the French and British warsh1ps
The earth trembled for miles around:
past IL in the morning, and shelled
the town of Chank Kale. Four French
and five British warShipS took part in
the beginning. This engagement reach
ed it's climax at half past 1 when the
fire of the allies was concentrated
upon Fort Mamidieh and the adjacent
fortified positions. The attack of
modern marine artillery upon strong
land forts presented an interesting as
well as terrifying spectacle.
At times the forts were completely
enveloped in smoke. At o'clock the
allies changed their tactics and con-
batteries, but it was evident that. they
found difficulty in getting the range.
Many of their shells fell short, cast up
pillars of water, or went over the forts
to explode in the town. At a quarter
past 8, when the bombardment was at
its hottest, the French battleship
Bouvet was seen to be sinking at the
stern. A moment later her bows
swung clear of the water and she was
going down. Roaring cheers from the
Turkish garrisons and forts greeted
craft of the allies hurried to the rescue
but they were successful in saving
only a few men.
Beside having been struck by mine
the Bouvet was severely damaged
above the water line 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 sunk was endeaVOr-
ing to gain the mouth of the straits.
This, however, was difficult, owing
apparently TO the fact that her ma
chinery had been damaged. Shortly
after the sinking of the Bouvet. a
British ship was struck on the deck
amidships ana compelled to withdraw
from the fight. Then another British
vessel was badly damageds and at a
quarter before four was seen to re-
tire under a terrific fire from the
Turkish battery. This vessel ran in
toward the shore. For a full hour the
allies tried to protect her with their
guns, but it was apparent that she was
destined for destruction. Eight eff
lective hits showed the hopelessness
of the situation for this vessel. Then
she withdrew toward the mouth of
the Dardanelles which she 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 warships 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
from the Turkish bat
teries. 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
engagements with calm assurance.