THE PASSAGE OF THE DARDANELLES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 94, 20 April 1878, Page 4

THE PASSAGE OF THE DARDANELLES.

The fo'lowing letter, written by an officer oo board odo of the ironclads, will be found of interest, as describing the moiJOSuvreß of the fleet when ordered to the Dardanelles : — " The morning of January 24, was calm and sunshine, as the fleet lay quietly at anchor in Vourlah Bay, expecting the arrival of the mail and news from Europe, of wbich there was a most considerable dearth. While a lunch was on a telegram arrived, theuphot of which was that tbe signal went up to prepare instantly for sea. Before 5 o'clock, the fleet, consisting of the Salamis, tbe yacht of the Commander-in-Chief, the Agincoart, flagship of Sir J. C. Commerell, the Swtftsurs, T6m&raire, Sultan, Rupert, Hotspur,- Ruby, and Research were voder way, aod proceeded to the nortb, past the island of Lesbos. The orders were to pass through the Dardanelles peacefully it possible, but to resist any attempt at obstruction. The Salamis steamed into Besika Bay for latest telegrams, and on ooming out the Admiral shifted his flag to the Sultan, the Vice-Consul from Chanak also arriving, and embarking on board that ship. The, fleet then received orders to prepare for aclion witbout any outward demonstration, bo that while the upper yards were sent down the top-gallant masts were left Standing. The Salamis then steamed ahead to Chanak, to give warniog of the approach of the fleet. Early in the afternoon tbe entrance was reached, tbe fleet halted for a short time at the Rubicon, snd then, in good order, column of divisions line ahead, steamed quickly into the Dardanelles. No attack was expected from tbe forts Seddul Bahr or the Castle of Europe, and Kum Kaleb, Castle of Asia, at the entrance, as

m any case the flgbt for the passage must have taken place at Cbanak, the narrowest part of the Strait, the entrance beihg over two miles wide. The guns were now loaded, and run not quite out, but only level with the ship's side, and with the tompions in them. Those ships possessing Gatling guns hoisted them into the tops, bo as bring them tb bear on the embrasures of the forts. The men were cheerful and steady, though at the moment every man believed tbat fighting must ensue with the terrible forts at Chanak ; yet none knew wbom they were going to fight, whether Turks or Russians, nor why they were going to fight them ; for in the fleet there was no news of what was going on in the world aßhore. At length the terrible Chanak was ap. proacbed ; and then at the last moment was seen a signal hoisted from the Sultan, which told that tbe passage would not be disputed. Tbe Sultan then saluted the Turkish flag and proceeded with the Salamis ; yet, to ihe general disappointment, the remainder of the fleet was ordered to return to the nearest anchorage, Besika Bay. During their journey the larger ironclads had all of tbem tbeir steam anchors ready as that they might be anchored bow and stern of the forts, to assault them if required. There is an old castle and a strong earth fort on the opposite side of the narrows to Chanak, and the stream is known to have torpedos laid down, so that the raost sanguine could not have expected a bloodless victory, had it been necessary to force the Dardanelles. The fleet had certainly a most imposing aspect, and there was much that was striking to be seen from the fleet itself. On its return the day cleared up, and there was seen the grand island of Imbos basking in the sun. If every one s^t home only knew how anxious tbe crews of the ships are to get some real news about the war they could not but admire the cheerful obedience with which the men execute orders that -are unintelligible to them. It is interesting, as well as important, to know that as the fleet passed between the castles of Europe and Asia the guard turned out and presented arms to the ships. The following was the arrangement of the lines on approaching the terrible forts of Cbanak :— Agincourt, Swiftsure, Hotspur, Research, Sultan, Ruby, Temeraire, Rupert. There was a strong /eeling in the fleet at the time of the advance that the passage of the Dardanelles could certainly have been forced had it been required. But at Chanak there are two large forts, stated to mount 40-ton Krupp guns, and there is an upper fort with a plunging fire, so that it would have taken some time to destroy them. It appears that up to a very late hour on Feb. 12 there was great reason to fear that the Turks would fire on the fleet if it persisted in passing the Dardanelles in spite of protest, which Admiral Hornby had received ordera to do. These orders were not kuown to the Ambassador until, that afternoon. He immediately informed the Porte, and was assured that the fleet would be fired upon. The Turks were obviously in a very difficult position ; not only irritated against and distrustful of England, but also feeling themselves at the mercy of Russia. There was a strong philo-Ruasian party, too, in the Cabinet, its chief representative being the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Besides, they had the strongest reason to believe that the entry ofthe British fleet would be the signal for the Russians occupying Constantinople. The Czar had telegraphed to the Sultan to request him not to let the English ironclads enter, and informing him that if they did the Russians would march a division into Constantinople. The English Ambassador was firm but conciliatory. Almost till midnight, was passed in the most anxious pourparlers, and at last the Porte was induced to withdraw its threat to fire upon the fleet, and to permit it to pass under a strong protest. As tbe Porte knew from the Ambassador that Admiral Hornby was sure to force his way, if necessary, in obedience to orders, it could scarcely help yielding ; though, on the other hand, it was bound to make strong remonstrances in order to appease, so far as possible, the Russians, of whom it necessarily stood in great dread. Even after the decision had been come to to let the fleet pass under protest, the Sultan in the middle of the night sent another message to the Ambassador, begging him to give orders for stopping the ships, but he was told he was then too late.