The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-08-31
Chained TO AROCK
How the Turks Once Imprisoned
a Greek EatileShip.
DARING OF A YOUNG OFFICER.

His Pluck and Strategy Resulted In
Making the Powerful Enemy Vessel
Lie Helpless Within the Landlocked
Waters OF tie Gulf Of Aria,
1t was during the war between
Greece and Turkey in 1897 that the
inhabitants of Gala Krini-a large vii
lage, since destroyed by the Turks, on
the shores of the gulf of Arta-awoke
one morning to find that Hellenic
battleship had entered the gulf and
cast anchor of the shore. The sur
prise of the inhabitants Of Gala Krinl
was nothing compared with that of a
party of five Turkish officers, who,
from the very crest of hill towering
above the village, watched the vessel
through their telescopes.
These Turkish officers We're 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
number of heavy guns which had been
dragged all the way from Saloniki,
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 battleships heavy guns, which
meant sheer destruction. Somehow or
other they must escape the man-of-
war or prevent her interference with
their work, but 70 do this seemed i'm.
possible.
1 In the midst of their discussion
young officer who had been listening
said he could hold the vessel prison.
err If they would allow him. His plead
Ing won, and, hurriedly changing his
clothes for those Of Il shepherd, lie de
scended in that disguise % Gala Krini
i Late that night a number Of figure,
stole through the dark alleys OF the vii.
lage toward the shore. Close to the
waters edge was an old boathousc,
used as q shed for repairing boats.
This the party silently entered and by
the flickerlng light of a taper searched
the black interior. At length there was
a gentle rattle and from the gloom
emerged IIassan, stripped to the waist,
dragging heavy chGil 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 Turkish vessel--was reached.
From the beach the chain was loaded
on board large caique whose sides
and floor had been covered with cloth
TO deaden the sound. This task accom-
plished, three men got in with Hassau
and rowcd with mullled oars GoWaril Il
large rock III the middle Of the Dight
Round this rock the cham was Md and
securely fastened pne'm4n having
been landed on the cfag to keep guard
over this end. the boat set out cautious.
ly for the battlcShip, looming like a
phantom in the distance. Not q sound
did tic men make as link by link the
| massive chain was paid ont over the
stern into the stlll water till they
reached the vessel.
There was nm excited CLEAN In Has
sans eyes rs, with sign TO his com
radeS he gradually lowered himself
/ into the dark water. guiding himself by
passing his fingers over the battleship's
plates. y slight grating of the chain
I against the hull was all that his anxious
, companions In tine boat heard. though
r now ana then a reassuriug pull was
, felt on the line that HaSsan held. di.
| rccting them how to pay ont the chain.
r Hours rather than minutes seemed 10
. have gone by ere the young officer
came to the surface. So exhausted by
r his long dive was he that he had to be
4 almost lifted into the boat.
S at is round the propeller" he gasp
I cd. Il have fixed It so that nothing
D can move It. Back you go
;, Then link by link the tedious WORK
d was renewed until the boat returnel
q 20 It's starting point. where the othel
end OF the chain was secured. TIL,
!. risky task was done, and the Hellenic
v battlcshlp was securely moored to al
n immovable rock 10y a double thickness
! OF cable.
, The early rays Of dawn revealed d,
sight which aStonishcd the Greek com
! mander. y whole regiment of Turk
!, were on the march toward the strai
Of Arta. with train after train of artil
lcry. the last of which disappeared he
yond the intervening head before tn
e ships guns could be brought to bea
on thc,u. The commander gave order
- Cor the guns to he run out and deck
p cleared FOR action. while the ancho
was weighed, his intention being 4
* prevent the Turks from terrifying th
IS strait before they had become to-
|. strong. Full speed ahcad"' went tn
,. order to the engine room, aud, pre-
e PEELED by her mighty screw, the ba,
$ tleship advanced. only TO lurch bacb
@ ward as II dragged by some unsce
d force. Work rs the engines would
G the vessel seemed to he IN an cnehant
l. ell circle. beyond which It was impot
siblc TO 20.
1t was not until the suns rays ha
penetrated the deep blue water along
!, | all. clint ti,n u,npnt Ntsny ppVnnt,l go,