WAR PREPARATIONS IN RUSSIA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 766, 22 December 1876, Page 3

WAR PREPARATIONS IN RUSSIA.

—o— A Russian paper reports that Otsehakofl’, at the mouth of the Dnieper, has boon transformed from a quiet and almost deserted village into one of the most important points on the Black Sea coast, A floating battery, such as has never before been , known in Russian military history, is being constructed in the solitary spot to be armed with monster guns, of which one sample has arrived ; and so much importance does the proceeding possess in the eyes of military authorities, that the Minister of War, M. Miljutino, has come to superintend it in person. A hundred thousand beams have gone to compose the battery, and at the time of writing the greater part of the work of construction was complete. There was a powerful breastwork ready filled with sand. The first gun intended to arm the battery had, as observed, arrived in the shape of a mighty Krupp Cannon, weighing SOOOlbs, and requiring a special steamer to convoy it. The monster piece is to be placed in the centre of the battery on a rotatory carriage. In course of time there are to be 29 more guns in the same battery. Besides the Russian War Minister, the military commander of the Odessan district, Oeneral Ssemeka is reported at OtschakoiT, and the writer in question anticipates the advent of a “ new era” for the Russian Power on the Black Sea from the strategical importance about to be conferred upon Otschakoff.