On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 57, 10 March 1915, Page 5

On the Sea

BLACK SEA BOMBARDMENT ACTIVITY OF THE RUSSIAN FLEET. United Press Association. Petrograd, March 9. Tlic Russian Black Sea fleet bombarded the coast in the /vicinity"of Eregli, Asia Minor, and silenced the enemy’s batteries, and destroyed coal quays and sheds. Eight steamers and a largo sailer were sunk. Our casualties were three woundel. The Black Sea bombardment is likely to interfere with Constantinople’s‘coal supply.

WORK IN DARDANELLES.

RUSSIA TO LEAD THE WAY. (Received 8.5 a.m.) Petrograd, March 9. The warship Askold lias been invited to take the Russian Flag into the Dardanelles ahead of the Allies. The Stamhoulists fear the risk of opposing Germany and Austria.

THE EFFECT ON OUR SHIPS AND SEAPLANES.

London, March 8

Admiral Carden reports that the Gaulois, Lord ; Nelson, and Agamemnon were struck three times. The latter had three wounded. Seaplanes reconnoitering wore compelled to fly low. One dived into the sea, and both officers were hurt. Another was shot at, and Lieutenant Dougla's was wounded. Two other seaplanes were hit, twenty-eight and eight times respectively.

ENEMY’S GLOWING REPORT.

London, March 9

An official message from Constantinople, via Rerlin, says that the enemy’s armoured cruisers bombarded the Dardanelles fortresses. A French cruiser was pub out of action and an English cruiser damaged. The ships ceased firing and withdrew. The Turkish batten's m(leer'd no damage of any description.

THE ATTACK ON SMYRNA

London, March 9. Admiral Pierse, operating at Smyrna, reports that his squadron swept its way through minefields until it drew the fire of the subsidiary batteries armed with 6-inch and l-inch guns armed with 6-Inch and 4.inch guns nn! many smaller concealed guns along Hie shore. All were silenced after an hour’s bombardment. The Euryalus and one battleship were hit by a six-inch shell. A minesweeper was hit by shell fragments. The casualties weiro slight. The operations continue.

TURKISH FORTS ON FIRE. Athens. .March 0. It is reported that iorts h ronkeliy, Tv iI id lialir, ami Nanuizar caught lire, alter vigorously replying to tlie Allies’

The Coehen’s I l-iucli guns have been mounted near Nagara.

The majority of tlie Turkish troops in Smyrna have withdrawn. The remainder are in a pitiable condition.

CONL'TANTIONPLE’S POPULACE ALARMED FOR SAFETY.

(Received 9.55 a.in.) London, March 9

Acomliug to refugees, the populace of Constantinople refuses to believe the Government’s assurances that the city is safe.

THE BLOCKADE

A COLLIER TORPEDOED. United Press Association. London, March 8. The steamer Bensgrove was torpedoed and sunk off Ilfracombe, on tlie Devon coast, on Sunday. The crew were saved. The Bensgrove ' left Barry coal-laden. A heavy explosion occurred when five miles off Ilfracombe. A steamer picked up the crew. It is believed the steamer was mined.

A TORPEDO THAT FAILED.

London, March 9

A futile attempt was made to torpedo tlio Channel steamer Lydia oft Guernsey. The submarine was visible for a couple of minutes. The torpedo passed the Lydia fifty yards astern. There wore fifty passengers aboard.

ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER LA TOURAINE.

Paris, March 8

The steamer La Toura'ine, which was afire in mid-ocean, bringing munitions, nurses, and reservists to France from America, has arrived at Havre.

THE BLOCKADE’S WORK.

Since the blockade until March 3rd 8043 vessels arrived and departed. Fifteen were torpedoed and 29 lives were lost.

THE SUBMARINE US DESTROYERS AND THEIR PREY. London, March 9. The Press Bureau reports that twelve destroyers participate! in the hunt for the German submarine US, and that the Ghurka and Maori fin. aly destroyed her. THE RESCUE OF GERMANS AT SEA. London, March 9. The Admiralty announces that since the beginning of the war Britishers have done their utmost to rescue Germans whose vessels had been sunk, and over 1000 had been saved under difficult and langerous circumstances, although the enemy has not accorded similar treatment to Britishers. The Admiralty, however, - is unable to ex-

tend honourable treatment to the crew of theUß, which was sunk by destroyers off as she has probably been guilty of sinking unarmed merchantmen. Possibly the Admiralty will be unable to obtain evidence of guilt until after the war, hut meanwhile the crew will not he allowed to mingle with other war prisoners.