The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-22
F'rightful Disaster to
Allied Fleet in Dar-
danelles Told by a
Correspondent
LAND BATTERIES
SANK THE SHIPS
Attack of Modern Marine Artillery
Upon Strong Land Forts Presented
An Interesting and Terrifying Spec
+acle-Turk Workmanship Good

Berlin, Marcn : :, VIA IOHuOn, IL. % D
A. M.-The correspondent at Constan-
tinople of the Wolff Bureau telegraphed
to-day a description 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 abridgment
of the correspondent s story of this en-,
gagement.
The efforts of tn, allies to force the
straits of the Dardanelles reached THEN
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 earth thrown into the
air by the projeetiles of the French ana
British warships. The earth trembled
for miles around.
Climax of Engagement
The allies entered the straits at
11.30 in the morning and shelled the
town of Chank Kale. -Four French and
five British warships took par. in the
beginning. This engagement reached its
%
allies was concentrated upon Hamideh
and the adjacent fortified towns.
The attack of modern marine artil-
lery upon strong land forts presented an
interesting as well as terrifying spec
tacle. At times the forts were com
pletely enveloped in smoke. AT ,
o 'clock the allies changed their tac-
teal and concentrated their fire upon
individual batteries, but it was evjden;
that they found difficulty in getting
the ranges. Many of their shells fell
short, casting up pillars of water, OF
went over the forts to explode in the
town.
Sinking of the Bouvet
At 3.15 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 Turk
ish 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 a
few men.
mine the Bouvet was severely damaged
above the water line by shell fire. One
projectile struck her forward deck.
mast also was shot away and hung
overheard. 1t could be seen that the
Bouvet when she sunk was endeavoring
to gain the mouth of the straits. This
however, was difficult owing apparent
ly to the fact that her machinery hal
been damaged.
British Vessels Succumb Next
Shortly after the sinking of thu
Bouvet British ship was struck OF
the deck squarely amidships and com
PEELED to withdraw from the fight Thei
another British vessel was badly dam
aged and at quarter before four wa
seen to retire under terrific fire from
the Turkish battery. This vessel raj
in toward the shore. For a full hou
the allies tried to protect her will
their guns but it was apparent that sh'
was destined for destruction. Eigh
effective hits showed the hopelessnes
of the situation for this vessel. Sh
then withdrew towards the mouth b
the Dardanelles which she reached in
few minutes under hail of shells
The forts continued firing until the al
lies were out of range.
Turkish Workmanship Excellent
This was the first day when the war
ships attacking the Dardanelles KEEP
within range of the Turkish forts fo
any considerable length of time. Th
results from them were terrible, OWN:
to the excellent craftsmanship from
the Turkish barracks. On this day 2,
600 shells were silencing one shor
battery. The result have inspired tn
Turks with confidence and they ar
looking forward to further engage
ments with calm assurance.