Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-10-07

Lie Helpless Within the Landiocked
Waters Of the Gulf of Arts.
1t was during the war between
Greece and Turkey in 1897 that the
Inhabitants of Gala Krini-a large viii
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 off the shore. The sur
prise of the inka bitants Of Gala Krini
was nothing compared with that OF
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 were on an
urgent an0 important mission - TO
block out the Hellenic feet from the
gulf Of Arta. Behind them, at the
bottom OF the deep ravine, were a
number Of heavy guns which had been
dragged all the way from Saloniki, a
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 gauntlet
of the battleship's heavy guns, which
meant sheer destruction. Somehow or
other they must escape the man-of-
war or prevent her interference with
their work, but to do this seemed Inn
possible.
In the midst of their discussion a
young officer who had been listening
said he could hold the vessel prison
er If they would allow him. His plead
ing won, and, hurriedly changing his
clothes for those Of shepherd. he de-
scended In that disguise to Gala Krinl.
Late that night number of figures
stole through the dark alleys of the vii
lage toward the shore. Close to the
waters edge was an old boathouse,
used as shed for repairing boats.
This the party silently entered and by
the flickerng 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 Il large calquc, whose sides
and floor had been covered with cloth
to deaden the sound This task accom-
pllshed, three men got in with HasSan
and rowed with mutlled oars toward ii
large rock in the middle OF the blight.
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.
~ for the battleship, looming like
phantom in the. distance. Not sound
did the men make as link by link the
massive chain was paid out over the
stern into the still water tin they
reached the vessel
There was an excited CLEAN in Has
sans eyes as, with Il sign to his com
rades, lie gradually lowered himself
into the dark water, guiding himself by
passing his fingers over the battleshIp's
plates. slight grating OF the chain
against the hun was all that his anxious
companions In the boat heard, though
now and then reassuring pull was
felt on the line that Hassan held. d.
rectng 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
his long dive was he that he had to be
almost lifted into the boat.
at is round the propeller" he gasp
ed Il 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
60 Its starting point, whore the other
end Of the chain was secured. The
risky task was done. and the Hellenic
hattieship WAS securely moored to an
immoyable rock by double thickness
OF cable.
The early rays of dawn revealed
sight which astonished the Greek com
mander. A whole regiment Of Turks
Were on the march toward the strait
OF Arta. with train after train of artil.
lery, the last of which disappeared be-
3phu tue AitetN HuiAA HeNu NeiOIe the
ships guns could be brought 10 bear
an 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 forttfying the
strait before they had become too
strong Full speed ahead!' went the
orier TO the engine room, and, pro
PEELED by her mighty screw, the bat.
tleship advanced, only to lurch back,
ward as II dragged by some unseen
force. Work as the engines would,
the vessel seemed to lee In an enc liant
ed circle, beyond which it was tmpos-
sible to go.
1t 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 rsCk
Before 1t could be removed, how
ever, the strait had been sufficiently
fortified by the Turks and q power
full Greek warship lay a helpless pris-