THE SINKING OF THE TURKISH GUN-BOAT AT IBRAIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 941, 30 June 1877, Page 3

THE SINKING OF THE TURKISH GUN-BOAT AT IBRAIL.

The New York Herald correspondent, stationed at the Russian head quarters at Jassy, telegraphs, under date May 13th, full details of the sinking of the Turkish monitor by the Russian batteries before Ibrail on the River Danube. He says that the entire Turkish flotilla, consisting of several heavyarmed monitors and a few gun-boats of the first and second class, appeared before the town of Ibrail, and on coming into position began bombarding the place. The fire of the Turkish vessels was at once returned by the Russian shore batteries, and the artillery battle was soon a fierce and deadly one and continued for some time. At length two shells were fired from a piece in one of the Russian batteries, under the direction of Commandant Sanailli, at one of the monitors having two turrets and three masts, and named the Loukfigelli (meaning the Grace of God). The vessel fired at was at a distance of two miles from the battery, yet both the shells struck the monitor. As they fell the vessel seemed for a moment to be rising out of the water, and in less than a minute after she sank. There was no, explosion, and the monitor went down so suddenly that it is believed that the fatal projectiles did not strike the powder magazine, but fell into the hold, where they exploded, no doubt tearing large holes in her bottom, the water rushing in so rapidly that she sank without any warning. As soon as the catastrophe was comprehended in its fullest extent, the Russians made an effort to succour their enemies. A boat was despatched from the shore to the scene of the wreck, in which were an officer of marines named Skoulew, an aide-de-camp named Ragoulia, and Lieutenant Doubanoff. They were unsuccessful in finding any of the officers and crew in the water, but Lieutenant Doubanoff had the honor of capturing the flag, of the sunken monitor. The ill-fated vessel was under the command of Hedjet Bey, and had 200 men on board at the time she was so suddenly destroyed. Out of this number only one man was saved, and he was picked up at the distance of a mile from the other Turkish vessels. None of the Turkish commanders made any attempt to succor their comrades in distress. The sinking of the monitor was a remarkable event, sudden and supreme in its effects. At eight o’clock! the same evening, the Grand Duke Nicholas having been apprised of the news, at once telegraphed to his Imperial Majesty the Emperor Alexander, reciting the main facts. During the same night the Czar telegraphed to the Grand Duke asking for the name of the commandant of the battery whence the shells were fired, and that of the artillerist who pointed the gun. According to the rules of the Russian service, both the officer and the man are entitled to receive the Grand Cross of St. George.