A Dangerous Pass.

Manawatu Herald, 25 January 1896, Page 2

A Dangerous Pass.

« The Odessa correspondent of the Daily News telegraphs :— M any captains of British stpamnrs arriving here within the last week complain of the provocative attitude assumed by the Turkish authorities at the Dardanelles. Captain Noble of the steamer Loch Rannoch, informs me that some days ago he arrived at Chanak, in the Dardanelles, four minutes after sundown. He observed that the shore on either side was lined with troops under canvas, and that field cannon, only partially masked, were placed at close intervals along the embankments. Arrived nearly opposite Chanak, two blank shots, one from each shore, were fired at ths Loch Rannoch, but the captain thought they were part of some military manoeuvres and did not haul to. He was quickly undecieved, however. Within a few minutes three shells were fired at the ship". The first fell under the bows, covering ths fore part of the vessel with a cloud of spray ; the second plunged under the ship's stern quarter, dashing a volume of water over the deok, whilst the third whizzed across the bridge within two feet of the captain's head. The man at the wheel fled below, and the captain instantly had the engines reversed and signalled with her syren. Captain Noble was astonished at this treatment that he for the moment concluded that war had been declared between England and Turkey. Hitherto the authori tics have always allowed a time margin at sundown, and in this case the pratique launch was await ing the steamers as usual a little way ahead. The head of the Dardanelles (adds the correspondent), is covered with torpedoes, and this naturally caused much anxiety to British merchantmen, who are constantly in fear of accidents when passing. About a fortnight ago one of these torpedoes exploded close under the stern of a French steamer, partly lifting the vessel out of the water and deluging her decks. The ship only escaped destruction by a few feet.