On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 56, 9 March 1915, Page 5

On the Sea

THE BLOCKADE

MORE GERMAN SUBMARINES. Copenhagen, March 8. Fifteen small submarines are being built at Kiel, each to carry a crew of eight, mainly for coast service. CHASED BY A SUBMARINE. London, March S. The steamer Ling-Chow, from London to Glasgow, was chased by a submarine off Land’s End. She went at full speed shorewards, and escaped under cover of the darkness after half an hour’s pursuit. IN THE DARDANELLES. PROGRESS OF THE BOMBARDMENT. United Press Association. London. March 8. Official: The Queen Elizabeth, from the Gulf of Saros, bombarded two large forts on the Asiatic coast, near Chanak. Simultaneously the battleships within the Dardanelles bombarded Dadranus, on the Asiatic coast, and Soghanhere on the European coast.

The Daily Chronicle’s correspondent at Athens says the Turks are using many floating mines in the Dardanelles. Some of them floated as far as Tenedos. The heavier Turkish guns are skilfully hidden, and it is necessary to knock them out individually, calling for the most skilful marksmanship. Already fifty have been destroyed.

A spectator on Mount Elias watched the opening of the bombardment. He describes it as a magnificent spectacle. The fleet was ranged in semi-circles at the entrance, and the shells screamed every two minutes, and huge masses of earth and stone-work wore thrown up. The din was terrific. As the Turkish batteries refused to be drawn, one British and one French ship stood in, spitting fire and smoke towards Seddnl Bahr. The ships sped under the batteries, drawing their fire. Fountains of water were springing high in the air round the ships, but none of the shots landed within a hundred yards. Immediately the batteries thus disclosed their positions the fleet opened a terrific fire with the heaviest guns. Each piojoctile appeared to create a frightful inferno. One section of the fleet, sheltering at the extremity of Gallcpoli Peninsula, fired over a hilly promontory at Kum Kale forts. Another section under the coast north-east of Tenedos concentrated a galling fire on the same spot, also demoralising grc.ips of Turkish troops on the mainland.

The Times’ correspondent at Sofia says Constantinople is panic-stricken. There are thousands of refugees in Gallipoli, and they increase the alarm. It is feared that the appearance of the Allied- fleet will be the signal for a greater murder of Christians. Many are already fleeing. The German officers being unpopular with the masse;, great efforts are being made to fortify the environs of the city under the direction of Enver Pasha.

Amsterdam, March 8.

The Frankfurter Zeituug p di'ishea an interview with Enver Pasha. lie declares that the subjection of the outer forts of the Dardanelles is expected, but the real defences are further in, where a narrow defile is commanded by mines and artillery to prevent ships manoeuvring. Those defences are so far unaffected.

CARGO OF AUTOMATIC GUNS FOR TURKEY.

STEAMER BLENDA HELD UP.

(Received 9.33 a.m.) Copenhagen, March 8

The authorities will permit the Blenda to sail if she goes direct to Dedeagatch, but the captain refuses. The cargo consists of 3000 automatic guns.

WHERE IS THE DRESDEN?

REPORTED HIDING IN SOUTH-

ERN CHILE.

(Received 10.15 a.m.)

Santiago do Chile, March 8. There are persistent rumors that the Dresden is hiding in southern Chile. The fact that German steamers are coaling at Cororel and Valparaiso lends color to the rumours.