The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-07-04
CHAINED TO AROCK
How the Turks Once Imprisoned
a Greek BattIeship.
DARING OF A YOUNG OFFICER.
His Pluck and Strategy Resulted In
Making the Powerful Enemy Vessel
Lie Helpless Within the Landlocked
Waters of the Gulf of Arta.

Making the Powerful Enemy Vessel
Lie Helpless Within the Landocled
Waters of the Gulf of Arta.
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 a Hellenic
battleship had entered the gulf and
cast anchor off Il e shore. The sur
prise of the inhabitants of Gala Krini
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 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 ravine, were a
number of heavy guns which had been
dragged all the way from Saloniki, a
lOuS anu lhohS "ASA SA~
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-of-
war or prevent her interference with
l,nt, hrtt fn do fhic cnnmnH I'M
possible.
In the midst of their discussion a
young officer who had been listening
said he could hold the vessel a prison.
er If they would allow him. His plead
ing won, and, hurriedly changing his
clothes for those Of Il shepherd, he de-
scended in that disguise to Gala Krini.
Late that night number of figures
stole thrd Ugh the dark alleys of the vii
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 flickering 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 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 deadeu the sound. This task accom-
plished, three men got in with Hassan
and rowed with muffleG oars toward
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
ly for the battleship, looming like a
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 till they
reached the vessel.
There was an excited CLEAN 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. A slight grating of the chain
against the hull 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.
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
hl lsx,O Il NHok I.N h 30 h..
almost lifted into the boat.
at is round the propeller" he gasp
ed. 81 have fixed it SO that nothing
can move it. Back you 60"
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 double thickness
Of cable.
The early rays of dawn revealed a
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
| ltIy, lHC l1ol vi Will~h ulHupJtdIGu UC
yond the intervening head before the
ships guns could be brought to beal
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 t.
prevent the Turks from fortifying thu
strait before they had become tot
strong. Full speed ahead? went thu
order to the engine room, and, pro
PEELED by her mighty screw, the bat
tleship advanced, only to lurch back
!, ward as If dragged by some unseeI
force. Work as the engines would
: the vessel seemed to be in an enchant
: ed circle, beyond which 1t was impos
sible to go.
1t was not until the suns rays ha,
penetrated the deep blue water along
side that the secret was revealed AM
the massive chain was discovered pass
ing round the ships propeller and tn
adjacent rock.
Before 1t could be removed, how
| evar the stroit had, been sufficient