The daily Alaskan., 1916-08-17
GRAINED TOAROGE
How the Turks Once Imprisoned
 a Greek BattIeship.
DARING OF A YOUNG OFFICER.
His Pluck and Strategy RsSuIssd In Making the Powerful Enemy Vessel Lie tielplsss Within the Landloeked Waters of the Gulf of krta.


 Greece and Turkey in 1897 that the inhabitants of Gala Krini-a large vl- lage, since destroyed by the Turks, on the shores of the gulf of Arta-awOke one morning to ind that Hellenic battleship had entered the gulf and cast anchor of the shore. The sur prise of the inhabitants of Gala Erini was nothing compared with that of a party of five Turkish officers, who, from the very crest of a 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 fleet from the gulf of Arta Behind them. at the bottom of the deep rayine, were a number of heavy guns which had been dragged all the way from Salonild, a 1 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-ot- war or prevent her interference with their work, but to do this seemed i'm ] possible.
 1 In the midst of their discussion a young officer who had been listening said he could hold the vessel a prison CT if they would allow him. His plead. 1 ing won, and, hurriedly changing his clothes for those of a shepherd, he de- scended in that disguise to Gala Krint
 Late that night number of figures stole through the dark alleys of the vil- | lage 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 fickering light of a taper searched the black interior. At length there was gentle rattle and from the gloom emerged Hassan. stripped to the waist dragging a 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 loaded on board a large caique, whose sides and floor had been covered with cloth to deaden the sound. This task accom- plished, three men got in with Hassan and rowed with mufled oars toward q large rock in the middle of the bight 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 cautious l Iy for the battleshlp looming like phantom in the distance Not a 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 gleam in Has sans eyes as, with a sign to his com rades, he gradually lowered himself into the dark water, guiding himself by passing his fingers over the battleship's plates. 4 slight grating of the chain against the hull was all that his anxious companions in the boat heard, though now and then a reassuring pull was felt on the line that Hassan held, di. recting 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 exhausted by bis long dive was he that he had to be almost lifted into the boat.
 Tt is round the propeller, he gasp ed. ''I have fixed it so that nothing can move it. Back you go."
 Then link by link the tedious work was renewed until the boat returned to its starting point, where the other end of the chain was secured. The risky task was done, and the Hellenic battleship was securely moored to an immovable rock by a double thickness of cable.
 The early rays of dawn revealed 8 sight which astonished the Greek com mander. 4 whole regiment of Turks were on the march toward the strait of Arta, with train after train of artl- lery, the last of which disappeared be- yond the intervening head before the ships guns could be brought to bear on them. The commander gave orders for the guns to be run out and decks cleared for action, while the anchor was weighed, his intention being to prevent the Turks from fortifying the strait before they had become too strong. Full speed ahead!' went the order to the engine room, and, pro pelled by her mighty screw. the bat tleship advanced, only to lurch back ward as if dragged by some unseen force. Work as the engines would. the vessel seemed to be in an enchant- ed circle, beyond which it was impos- sible to go.
 It was not until the suns rays had penetrated the deep blue water along side that the secret was revealed and the massive chain was discovered pass. ing round the ships propeller and the adjacent rock.
 Before 1t could be removed, how ever, the strait had been sufficiently fortified by the Turks and power | fuI Greek varShiD lay a helpless pris-